Project Director

San Diego, CA      ·     Full time

Reporting to the Development Project Leader, the Project Director will provide project management support as a key member of the drug development project teams and sub teams. This role partners with and guides leaders and team members to deliver project goals effectively and efficiently on schedule and within budget. The position is also expected to participate in project management strategy and process improvement initiatives. This role requires outstanding cross-functional leadership and communication skills including a proactive approach to working with a variety of different stakeholders (internal and external) to help gain alignment, synthesize information, and bring information together into cohesive plan.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Pro-actively develop, maintain, track, and manage project milestones and deliverables (employing tools such as Gantt charts, flow charts, and trackers). 
• Closely and transparently manage the critical path of the project(s) with frequent, clear communications.
• Effectively guide a team through the formation of a comprehensive drug development plan(s). Coordinate and facilitate team meetings, draft and issue timely agendas and minutes, and follow up on action items.
• Ensure team conflicts are resolved in a professional and timely manner.
• Maintain, track, report and understand variances in the project budget by working in close collaboration with functional contributors and finance.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of project information to meet team, management, and portfolio requirements. Identify, manage, and communicate key project risks, developing risk management strategies including mitigation and contingencies. 
• Prepare project updates for governance meetings and clearly communicate status in written documents and presentations.
• Participate in implementing improvements to project management processes, tools, and infrastructure to ensure ongoing efficiency across the R&D organization and companywide. 
• Support major milestone projects to deliver corporate goals (e.g. key regulatory fillings)
• Ability to build and lead a team of project managers, including hiring, training, mentoring, and inspiring excellence in a world-class organization. 

Education And Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Scientific degree preferred. Advanced degree (Science, MBA) preferred. 
• Minimum 10 + years of Project Management experience (or comparable functional experience) supporting cross-functional project teams in a drug development company
• Experience facilitating project team meetings, cross-functional communication and decision making, and ensuring alignment with internal and external stakeholders required 
• Experience creating and actively managing integrated timelines and budgets required Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred. 
• Experience within a start-up biotech company as well as cell therapy experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience building a project management team with a track record of delivering projects on time and on budget 

Job Specifications:

• Ownership and accountability for all aspects of project management. 
• Strong influencing skills: proven ability to get things done without formal authority 
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization 
• Thorough understanding of drug development processes 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including clear, succinct, and timely communication and proven ability to foster important relationships with executive-level managers and key stakeholders 
• Partners with the team leader to ensure the team achieves and maintains a high-level of sustainable performance, by contributing to appropriate team management best practices 
• Utilizes a variety of approaches and thinks innovatively to identify solutions to problems and roadblocks 
• Leadership skills, professionalism, composure, emotional intelligence 
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities under tight deadlines 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (e.g. Project, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Visio)  

EEO and Employment Eligibility

Aspen Neuroscience is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Total Rewards and Culture

Aspen Neuroscience, Inc., located in scenic Torrey Pines, is noted for its collaborative and learning focused culture where each person is valued for contributing their strengths and energy to building a world-class line of products for patients in need. The company offers a competitive total compensation package, time-off in addition to Company observed holidays, Medical/Dental insurance benefits, gym membership, and other wellness perks.

To apply: Please email your resume to talent@aspenneuro.com.

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