Associate Project Director - Automation

About the Department                                                                                                                                               

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Seattle reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

 

The Position

The Associate Project Director – Automation, will be responsible for project management activities related to the lab automation projects across R&ED, focusing on the US. Tasks include the oversight of the scope, design, budget, & schedule for the various projects in the portfolio. Manage and execute large-scale projects with a high level of complexity from scope development and project planning through project closeout. Responsible for the team performing development, installation, qualification of systems related to new equipment, new facilities, expansions, etc. Act as the central resource for information flow between all project stakeholders, domestic and international, at varying levels (core team to Senior Leadership).

 

Relationships

Reports to the head of the relevant department at Novo Nordisk.

 

Internal relationships include working closely with technical staff & other members of the scientific leadership team; regular collaborations with members of other research departments at Novo Nordisk; & frequent interaction with project managers & other colleagues across global R&D. Individual may direct the work of other staff members.

 

Individual will interact with external research collaborators both academia- & industry-based.

 

Essential Functions

• Manages high complexity lab automation projects with direct impact on SVP area results
• Provides input for project strategy in response to DSI OKRs, and R&ED aspirations
• Communicates and coordinates through multiple levels of employees, including to senior management, and the project team
• Responsible for complex projects where substantial innovation is required as solutions are not always evident including defining opportunities for custom engineering and IT solutions
• Masters’ difficult communication through multiple levels of employees and project management including driving organizational change management
• Responsible for budgetary planning and project benefit realization analysis
• Drives project plans and priorities, including delineation of automation solutions, identifying opportunities for process improvement prior to automation, project management of URS creation and RFI/RFP process and project management of team members. Responsible for project management of site preparation, FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ etc. as necessary
• Effectively communicate with diverse audiences through compelling presentations and clear, concise messaging 

 

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required; May require international travel.

 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required, Degree in field chemistry, biology, biomedical research or similar preferred
• 8+ years of relevant experience required. PhD degree with 6+ years of experience is strongly preferred
• Relevant experience includes: