Senior Project Manager / Associate Project Management Director

Location: Spain, Poland, Serbia and Bulgaria

Who we are?

Optimapharm is a mid-sized, global Contract Research Organisation (CRO) turning science into hope through agile, patient-focused clinical development. We specialise in Phase I–IV clinical studies, delivering Full-Service and Functional Service Provision (FSP) solutions that help sponsors move faster and execute with confidence.

With operations in 40+ countries and 2x the patient reach of the average mid-sized CRO, we enable accelerated regulatory pathways, faster study start-up, and access to diverse patient populations worldwide. At Optimapharm, you’ll contribute to meaningful clinical research while growing your career in a dynamic, people-focused, global environment.

Own global clinical trials. Influence strategy. Build lasting client partnerships.

We’re looking for a Senior Project Manager / Associate Project Management Director to join our growing global Project Management team. We\'re looking for someone who enjoys taking on complex challenges, building trusted partnerships, and turning ambitious goals into successful outcomes. At Optimapharm, you\'ll lead global clinical trials, partner directly with sponsors, influence key decisions, and help shape the future of a growing international CRO.

This role is designed for an experienced global project leader who combines strategic oversight, financial acumen, client leadership, and experience delivering complex global (oncology) studies. You\'ll thrive in this role if you enjoy creating structure, driving improvements, and helping shape how things are done, rather than simply operating within established processes.

What do we offer?

• Working in a successful company that’s growing and developing every day
• Being part of a clinical research team that transforms science into hope for patients
• A highly visible role with direct impact on clients, projects, and business success
• The opportunity to lead complex global clinical trials and strategic sponsor partnerships
• Exposure to proposals, bid defenses, and commercial activities
• Clear opportunities to expand your leadership scope, take on increasingly strategic responsibilities, and grow within our global PM organization
• The chance to shape processes, drive improvements, and influence how we work
• Performance bonus
• Referral bonus
• Employee engagement programs
• Well-being initiatives
• Training and development program
• Additional location-specific benefits

Who are we looking for?

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or another relevant field
• 8+ years of clinical research experience, including 5+ years of recent CRO project management experience leading global, multi-country clinical trials (EU, US and/or APAC)
• Strong Oncology experience is required , including oversight of global phase II-III oncology trials
• Experience in immunology and autoimmune diseases will be considered an advantage
• Experience managing project budgets, forecasting, financial performance, and change orders
• Experience contributing to proposals, bid defenses, feasibility assessments, or other business development activities
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills
• Knowledge of ICH-GCP and global clinical trial regulations
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Fluent English, written and verbal
• A proactive mindset, strong sense of ownership, and ability to drive solutions independently

Your responsibilities

• Lead global clinical trials with accountability for timelines, budgets, quality, and client satisfaction
• Build trusted sponsor relationships and serve as a strategic partner throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams across regions and functions
• Maintain strategic oversight across complex global programs while empowering functional teams to deliver excellence
• Own project financial performance through forecasting, budget management, change order control, revenue optimization, and risk management
• Anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and turn complex challenges into practical solutions
• Lead vendor and partner oversight to ensure quality, timelines, and performance expectations are met
• Lead governance meetings and manage project escalations with confidence and transparency
• Support business growth through proposal development, feasibility activities, and bid defenses
• Mentor colleagues and contribute to the continued growth and evolution of our global Project Management organization

You will be successful in this role if you:

• Enjoy balancing strategic oversight with operational excellence
• Are comfortable making decisions in complex and evolving environments
• Build trust quickly with sponsors, colleagues, and partners
• See challenges as opportunities to improve, innovate, and grow

We offer a competitive compensation, with the final position (Sr PM or aPMD) and offer tailored to the candidate\'s experience, expertise, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capabilities.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Optimapharm (Talent Acquisition Team, Hiring Managers or any other OPT employee) by recruitment agencies will not be considered for this role. Optimapharm follows a direct sourcing strategy and collaborates exclusively with selected recruitment partners when external support is required.