Project Operations Manager- Discovery Research

Project Operations Manager – Discovery Research
Location: Lake County, IL (Hybrid – Onsite Tues–Thurs | Remote Mon & Fri)
Contract Duration: 12 Months to start
Pay Rate: $83–$88/hour (based on benefit selection)
 
Position Overview
Orion Group is seeking a Project Operations Manager to support our global pharmaceutical client’s Discovery Research organization. This individual will play a key role in driving talent strategy execution while fostering culture and engagement initiatives across the organization.
The position partners closely with the Director of Strategy & Culture, Business HR, leadership teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to implement programs that promote high-performing team excellence and strengthen workplace culture within Discovery Research.
This is a high-visibility role that blends project management, operations coordination, talent strategy support, and culture development.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to execute talent strategy plans, including talent sponsorship, onboarding initiatives, and career development programs
• Implement culture and engagement strategies aligned with Discovery Research and broader R&D priorities, governance structures, and project management frameworks
• Develop and manage processes to measure and enhance employee engagement, wellbeing, and organizational culture
• Lead coordination and execution of culture and engagement initiatives such as employee surveys, feedback sessions, recognition programs, onboarding programs, and leadership forums
• Support development and maintenance of SharePoint and Unily sites to ensure transparency and clear organizational communication
• Track, analyze, and report key metrics related to engagement, retention, and talent development
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities within talent and culture-related processes
• Support change management activities as new programs and initiatives are introduced
• Provide structured progress reporting and ensure alignment across stakeholders

 
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Life Sciences, or related field
• 5–7 years of project or operations management experience, ideally within a research, scientific, or technical environment
• Experience supporting talent strategy, engagement, or organizational culture initiatives
• Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Analytical mindset with comfort interpreting and reporting on data and metrics
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects from planning through execution

 
Preferred Experience

• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, or R&D organizations
• Familiarity with governance structures and structured project reporting
• Experience supporting enterprise communication platforms (SharePoint, Unily)

 
Soft Skills & Competencies

• Collaborative and relationship-driven
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Proactive problem-solver with continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to influence without direct authority
• Comfortable operating in a matrixed, cross-functional environment

 
 
Why This Role Matters
This role is critical in promoting a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture within Discovery Research. The Project / Operations Manager will ensure strong alignment between talent strategy and organizational objectives, helping enable scientific teams to perform at their highest potential.


People are our business worldwide
 
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.