Project Manager (Life Sciences) jobs in Chicago

​A Project Manager within life sciences oversees and manages projects related to various aspects of the life sciences industry, which includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare, and other related fields. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the successful planning, execution, and completion of projects while adhering to specific timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Here are some key roles and responsibilities of a Project Manager in life sciences:

1. Project Planning: The Project Manager collaborates with stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, deliverables, and success criteria. They create a comprehensive project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.

2. Team Management: They assemble and lead cross-functional teams, including scientists, researchers, engineers, clinicians, regulatory experts, and other professionals. The Project Manager assigns tasks, manages workloads, and ensures effective collaboration and communication among team members.

3. Budgeting and Resource Allocation: They develop project budgets and allocate resources, including finances, equipment, and personnel, based on project requirements. The Project Manager monitors expenditures, tracks costs, and ensures adherence to budgetary constraints.

4. Risk Management: They identify potential risks and develop risk mitigation strategies. This involves assessing regulatory compliance, anticipating scientific and technical challenges, and developing contingency plans to address potential setbacks.

5. Timeline and Milestone Tracking: The Project Manager establishes project timelines, monitors progress, and tracks milestones. They identify critical path activities and ensure that project activities are executed according to the schedule.

6. Communication and Stakeholder Management: They facilitate effective communication between project teams, stakeholders, and senior management. The Project Manager provides regular updates, presents project reports, and addresses any concerns or issues raised by stakeholders.

7. Regulatory Compliance: In the life sciences industry, adherence to regulatory guidelines and standards is crucial. The Project Manager ensures that projects comply with relevant regulations, such as Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Clinical Practices (GCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

8. Quality Control: They implement quality control measures to ensure that project deliverables meet predefined standards. This includes establishing quality assurance processes, conducting inspections, and managing documentation to ensure traceability and compliance.

9. Project Evaluation and Reporting: Upon project completion, the Project Manager assesses the outcomes, compares them to the initial objectives, and prepares comprehensive project reports. They identify lessons learned, document best practices, and provide recommendations for future projects.

10. Continuous Improvement: Project Managers actively seek opportunities for process optimization and continuous improvement. They identify bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and implement project management methodologies and tools to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.

It's important to note that the specific responsibilities of a Project Manager may vary depending on the organization, project complexity, and the phase of the product life cycle within the life sciences industry.

​For many reasons, the city is top of the list in the manufacturing of food, metals, and plastics. Manufacturing is one of the top industries in Chicago right now not only because of its central location, but also because of the opportunities the city provides. The city is emerging as a life science and biopharma hub and seems poised for even further growth, in CGT in particular. Chicago is home to established biotech and pharmaceutical companies like Abbott Laboratories, AbbVie, Baxter Healthcare, and Hospira as well as homegrown start-ups like Nanosphere and Ohmx.