Project Manager I

Associate Project Planner – Pharmaceutical R&D / Drug Development
(PM I)
Location: North Chicago (Hybrid – Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Onsite)
Contract Type: 6-month contract to start (W-2)
Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotechnology
Location Requirement: Local candidates only – relocation is not being considered
Experience: 4+ years with a Bachelor's degree or 2+ years with a Master's degree
$44-$49/hr based on benefit selections
 
Orion Group is seeking an experienced Associate Project Planner to support a leading global pharmaceutical organization in Lake County, IL.

This position will play a critical role in supporting pharmaceutical research and development (R&D), drug development planning, and project execution across complex Asset Development Teams (ADTs).

The Associate Project Planner will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and analyzing integrated drug development project plans using Planisware (AMP), Microsoft Project, and standardized project management methodologies. This individual will work closely with Project Managers, functional leaders, and Directors to manage project timelines, analyze critical paths, identify risks and dependencies, and ensure accurate project data to support strategic decision-making across the R&D portfolio.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of pharmaceutical development processes, critical path analysis, project scheduling, and cross-functional collaboration within a matrixed organization.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Scheduling

• Develop, maintain, and optimize integrated project plans for complex pharmaceutical drug development programs, including late-stage development, partnered programs, and drug-device combination projects.
• Utilize Planisware (AMP), Microsoft Project, and other project planning systems to manage schedules, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Perform detailed micro- and macro-level critical path analysis to identify schedule risks, dependencies, and opportunities for timeline optimization.
• Develop multiple project planning scenarios to support decision-making and evaluate potential impacts on drug development timelines.
• Partner with Project Managers and functional teams to ensure project plans reflect accurate resource estimates, milestones, and development activities.
• Support monthly project plan maintenance, timeline updates, and change request documentation.

Risk Management & Project Analysis

• Identify, monitor, and analyze project risks, scheduling conflicts, and potential delays.
• Conduct root cause analyses and recommend corrective actions to Project Managers, Managers, and Directors.
• Assess project performance against established plans, timelines, and objectives.
• Evaluate the impact of project changes on schedules, resources, critical paths, and overall program execution.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve project planning processes and operational efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with Asset Development Teams (ADTs), Project Managers, functional leaders, and senior management across pharmaceutical R&D.
• Facilitate project communications, including meeting documentation, action item tracking, project updates, and team materials.
• Coordinate activities across multiple functional groups in a matrixed environment to maintain alignment on project goals and timelines.
• Prepare and communicate project planning updates, scheduling analyses, and recommendations to Managers and Directors.
• Maintain project documentation, SharePoint sites, and other collaboration platforms.

Reporting, Data Management & Quality Control

• Generate monthly and ad hoc project reports, dashboards, timelines, and portfolio planning analyses.
• Review project data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency before reporting.
• Utilize quality control (QC) reports to identify and resolve data discrepancies within project planning systems.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret project metrics to support planning decisions and continuous improvement.
• Develop standardized project planning guidelines, checklists, and reporting processes.
• Ensure appropriate handling of confidential and sensitive project information.

Process Improvement & Project Management Support

• Identify and implement improvements to project planning methodologies, systems, and departmental workflows.
• Independently manage process improvement initiatives and coordinate activities to achieve defined objectives.
• Provide training, administrative support, and guidance on project management tools, processes, and best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance project planning accuracy, efficiency, and reporting capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, technical, business, or project management-related discipline with 4+ years of relevant professional experience; OR a Master's degree with 2+ years of experience; OR a relevant Doctorate degree.
• Experience in project planning, project management, scheduling, or portfolio planning, preferably within pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D.
• Hands-on experience with Planisware (AMP) and/or Microsoft Project for integrated project planning and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of critical path methodology (CPM), including micro- and macro-level critical path analysis.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical drug development processes, milestones, dependencies, and development timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and analyze complex project plans.
• Experience identifying project risks, conducting schedule analyses, and recommending corrective actions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills within a matrixed organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently while maintaining strong cross-functional relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with Planisware / AMP in pharmaceutical R&D or drug development planning.
• Experience supporting Asset Development Teams (ADTs) or cross-functional drug development programs.
• Experience planning late-stage clinical development programs, partnered development projects, or drug-device combination programs.
• Advanced experience with integrated project scheduling, scenario planning, resource forecasting, and schedule risk analysis.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical R&D portfolio management and reporting.
• Experience with QlikView, Spotfire, or similar business intelligence and reporting tools.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or comparable project management/process improvement certification.
• Experience developing project management standards, templates, and process improvements.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced Pharmaceutical R&D Project Planner, Drug Development Project Scheduler, or Project Management Professional with hands-on expertise in integrated project planning and critical path analysis.

This individual understands the complexities of drug development, can navigate detailed project schedules, and is comfortable collaborating with Project Managers, scientists, functional leaders, and Directors.

Success in this role requires strong technical scheduling capabilities, pharmaceutical development knowledge, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to proactively identify risks and maintain accurate, decision-ready project plans.
 


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Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.