Associate
Our client is a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company looking for a top-notch Associate - Project Management.
SUMMARY:
Supports the Global Project Management Office by developing and enhancing the processes and procedures required to support global operational and strategic project management for the organization. Position is not focused on information technology or scientific research-based projects. Assists with raising the level of project management competencies and skills within the organization, establishing a consistent methodology to manage a diverse portfolio of strategic business projects and providing transparency on project status, timelines and budgets. Responsible for supporting other projects or initiatives that fall within the scope of the Global PMO. Assists with the preparation of budgets, business cases, charters, estimates, and plans as needed.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and enhances global project templates and reporting tools that will be utilized across the organization.
- Communicates and trains certain project managers within the organization on project management methodology.
- Participates in and facilitates meetings with other project mangers within the organization to coordinate and align projects and status.
- Leverages best practices across the organization and “connect the dots” across the various functions.
- Reviews and consolidates global project status updates, budgets and timelines.
- Assists with the preparation of Global PMO reports to the Executive Management Team.
- Supports the management of projects from initiation to closing. Assists with the development of project budgets, schedules and performance standards.
- Reviews project charters to determine timeframe, funding limitations, and procedures for accomplishing projects.
- Assists with developing staffing requirements, and allotment of available resources to various project phases.
- Supports the creation of project management plans that define the project scope, assumptions, risks and overall project approach (including project resource needs, high level timelines, and project communications).
- Tracks the progress of projects from start to completion, keeping the project leader informed of status and potential issues.
- Assists with setting performance objectives and incorporates feedback from team and organization. Uses this information to provide suggestions for continuous improvement.
- Coordinates and responds to requests for changes from original scope.
- Coordinates the activities of project personnel to help ensure the project progresses in scope, on schedule and within budget.
- Assists with the development of communications of project status to project steering committee and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors Degree plus 5 years relevant experience, or 3 years experience with Masters Degree. Advanced degree is preferable. However, a combination of experience and/or education will be taken into consideration
- Must have experience managing projects in some capacity. Global project management experience preferred
- Certified PMP/PMI preferred
- Must possess knowledge of project management concepts, practices and procedures
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Works well in and appreciates the value of a globally diverse management, employee, and contractor environment.
- Performs well under pressure. Shows diplomacy, tact and good judgment when conflict arises.
- Is able to see the larger picture, able to identify patterns or connections between situations not obviously connected; able to identify key issues in complex situations.
- Knows when and when not to act authoritatively in order to obtain maximum performance from colleagues.
- Possesses a clear vision of project direction/outcome and ability to communicate this vision; instils a sense of project ownership.
- Possesses strong organization skills.
- Can be flexible to work in a function that requires the ability to quickly understand complex functional areas, global, regional and local business operations and strategy.
- Flexibility to travel as needed (may be domestic or international).
- Flexibility to participate in meetings that may be scheduled based on international time zone-availability (before or after normal working hours).
- Work effectively in a highly-matrixed environment where resources report to both functional and project leads.