Associate Project Manager

Cogneesol is seeking an experienced and client-focused Project Manager to lead cross-functional pharmaceutical development and manufacturing programs. The role involves managing projects across the product lifecycle while ensuring timely delivery and strong customer relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end management of client projects from proposal handover through commercial delivery
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, timelines and milestones
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including R&D, Analytical, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Business development, and Procurement
• Track project progress and ensure alignment with agreed deliverables, timelines, and budgets
• Facilitate project governance meetings and provide clear status updates to internal leadership and clients
• Manage project scope changes, prepare change orders and evaluate impacts on timelines, cost, and resources
• Act as the primary client interface for assigned programs
• Build strong relationships with clients and ensure proactive communication throughout the project lifecycle
• Translate client requirements into actionable internal plans
• Support business development and proposal teams during project initiation and scope discussions
• Ensure alignment between client expectations and operational execution
• Identify project risks, bottlenecks, and dependencies proactively
• Escalate critical issues appropriately and drive timely resolution
• Monitor project budgets, invoicing milestones, and resource utilization
• Support forecasting and revenue tracking for assigned projects
• Drive implementation of project management best practices, tools, and governance processes
• Support PMO initiatives and continuous improvement efforts across the organization
• Contribute to lessons learned and knowledge-sharing activities

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Life Sciences, or related field
• 5–8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, preferably within a small molecule CDMO, CRO, or API/drug product manufacturing environment
• Proven experience managing cross-functional pharmaceutical development or manufacturing projects
• Understanding of drug development lifecycle, GMP operations, technology transfer, and regulatory requirements
• Strong project planning and execution capabilities
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical development processes including Formulation development, Analytical development & validation, Tech transfer and scale-up, Clinical and commercial manufacturing
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Smartsheet, MS Project, SharePoint, Jira, or similar platforms
• Strong risk management and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, matrixed environments
• Customer-focused mindset with strong business acumen
• Leadership and influencing skills across cross-functional teams
• PMP certification or formal project management training
• Experience managing external client relationships in a service-based organization
• Experience managing global clients and multi-site projects
• Exposure to Phase I–III clinical supply and commercial manufacturing programs
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations from FDA, EMA, MHRA, or other global agencies