Senior Project Manager

Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) brings life-saving research to the real world by helping life science innovators bridge the gap between academic research and commercial product development. We are driven, compassionate, and laser focused on making a dramatic positive impact with everything we undertake. 

When you join API, you are part of a rapidly growing team that is creating collaborative opportunities to commercialize Canadian life sciences discoveries, increasing the amount of commercial research and development in the country, and supporting Alberta as a key pillar in Canada’s life sciences sector.

We are currently seeking a dynamic Senior Project Manager to join our fast-paced and rapidly evolving team! The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in overseeing and executing various projects from initiation to completion. They will be required to hold exceptional leadership and communication skills and will ensure the successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.

** Please note this position requires full-time on-site presence.

Key Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

Project Lifecycle Management:

• Manage the complete lifecycle of projects, including initiation, planning, execution, and closure.
• Define project objectives, scope, schedule, cost baseline, and governance structure.
• Develop project teams, ensuring collaboration, problem-solving, and communication to support efficient delivery.
• Plan and manage resources, including acquiring necessary resources and forming project teams.
• Ensure business decisions are made by accountable stakeholders, involving all impacted functional areas.

Risk and Issue Management:

• Identify, track, and manage risks, assumptions, issues, and decisions throughout the project. 
• Develop and implement risk response plans to address potential issues before they impact project success. 
• Lead issue resolution processes, removing roadblocks and providing solutions to keep the project on track. 
• Facilitate a collaborative environment for resolving issues, escalating only when necessary. 

Stakeholder Management:

• Maintain strong relationships with all project stakeholders, ensuring their expectations are met. 
• Act as the primary interface between project sponsors, team members, and senior leadership. 
• Conduct project evaluations and joint approvals with sponsors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. 
• Manage integrated change control processes, conservatively managing scope and constraints.

Leadership:

• Contribute to the development and sharing of project management best practices and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and SMEs to design, develop, and operationalize standard processes to support the development of a project management program.

Project Planning & Resource Management:

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, timelines, budget, and resource allocation. 
• Organize internal and external resources appropriately, consulting with senior leadership as needed. 
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration to ensure effective resource allocation and project execution. 

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

• Ensure accurate tracking of project progress, providing regular reports on scope, budget, and timelines. 
• Facilitate project governance meetings to keep stakeholders informed of progress and any changes. 
• Manage the centralized reporting process to increase project portfolio transparency. 
• Ensure timely project closure, including acceptance of deliverables, closing financials, and archiving data. 

Strategic Alignment:

• Align projects with strategic organizational goals set by executive leadership. 
• Act as the strategic interface between Projects, Finance, and Legal to ensure seamless project delivery. 
• Support planning for operationalizing manufacturing and GMP facilities, including budgeting and reporting as required. 

Best Practices & Continuous Improvement:

• Contribute to the development and sharing of project management best practices and lessons learned. 
• Collaborate with senior leadership to design, develop, and operationalize standard project management processes.

Qualifications - (Education, Certification, Degree, Skills, Knowledge, etc.)

Education

• PMP (Project Management Professional) designation.

Experience

• 7+ years of experience managing projects.
• Extensive knowledge and applied experience in project management principles and the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• Demonstrated ability to organize and manage full range of project work, from small details to the big picture, with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated leadership, team building, and relationship management.
• Excellence in assessment, gap analysis, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Possessing a proactive, prospective, and strategic mindset.
• Ability to effectively communicate across multiple stakeholder groups and SMEs internal and external to the organization.
• Experience with translating and parsing complex scientific, clinical, regulatory, and other project needs into clear and concise requirements to support project advancement.
• Understanding of the pharmaceutical development sector considered an asset.
• Excellent computer skills. Proficiency in both Microsoft Office Suite (Project, Excel, Word, Visio, and PowerPoint) as well as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Experience with Monday.com is considered an asset.

Personal Competencies

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide teams toward project success.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and prioritization skills
• Analytical problem-solving and clear communication skills
• Relationship building, influencing, advocating, and negotiating capabilities.
• Comfort with ambiguity and cultural differences.
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Effective in a fast-paced start-up environment
• Proactive, analytical, results-oriented, and creative
• Fosters transparent, honest, and positive team environment.
• Results-driven and process-oriented

Working Conditions

• Required travel between sites in Edmonton area.

Additional Required Documents to Support Application

• Cover letter required.
• Proof of Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification required.

Perks and Benefits at API

Comprehensive Health Coverage: At API, we prioritize the well-being of our employees. We offer a comprehensive health coverage plan. Our premiums are 100% covered, ensuring that you and your dependents receive the necessary healthcare support.

Payment in Lieu of Pension: API provides an additional 15% of your annual base salary, as an alternative to traditional pension benefits.

Professional Development Opportunities: We foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. API provides access to various professional development opportunities, including training programs, workshops, conferences, and certifications. We encourage employees to enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, and stay updated with the latest advancements in the life sciences industry.

Collaborative and Inclusive Environment: At API, we believe in the power of collaboration and diversity. We foster an inclusive work environment that values and respects individuals from all backgrounds. We promote teamwork, open communication, and a supportive atmosphere where everyone's contributions are valued.

Generous Paid Time Off: We understand the importance of taking time off to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. API offers a generous paid time off (PTO) policy that includes vacation days, medical/personal days, and holidays. We encourage our employees to prioritize their well-being and enjoy quality time away from work.

Green Transit Allowance: Employees based out of an office are eligible to enroll in our green transit program, which promotes the use of environmentally friendly modes of transportation. By participating in the program, you commit to making green transit your primary mode of transportation for at least 75% of your commute to and from work. Green transit includes walking, biking, carpooling, and public transportation.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter expressing their interest in the position and why they believe they are a strong candidate.

We appreciate the interest of all candidates but will only contact those selected for interviews.

If you have any questions or require support throughout the application process, please contact [email protected].

Our team, clients, and stakeholders come from a variety of backgrounds. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that all people bring to the workplace in terms of varied lived experiences, education, culture, gender, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background, neurodiversity, and cognitive and physical ability.

Before employment, successful candidates will be required to meet the requirements of a pre-employment screening, which includes background reference checks, educational credential verification, and criminal reference checks.

• Application Deadline: October 31, 2024