Associate Director, Engineering Projects

The Associate Director (US R&D Operations) is accountable for capital strategy, operations engineering governance, and project oversight—ensuring projects progress from concept through approval, execution, and close-out while meeting business, regulatory, quality, and operational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead PMO and project controls for the IPG CAPEX program (integrated scope, schedule, cost, risk, change control, performance reporting).
• Establish delivery processes (planning cadence, forecasting, issue/risk escalation, corrective actions).
• Coordinate and integrate delivery across design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and prepare executive-level updates for governance/steering.
• Provide engineering governance and project leadership for capital and non-capital operations-driven initiatives.
• Lead early project development (business needs, concepts, feasibility/estimate work, business justification).
• Partner with Operations and the IPG organization on priorities, multi-year capital planning, execution strategy, and operational readiness.
• Manage relationships with design/construction partners; ensure safe, high-quality, compliant delivery.
• Manage and develop engineering teams; ensure necessary skillsets and training.
• Develop and maintain capital project plans; support capital process (IPG).
• Manage budgets/expenses for engineering and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree + 9+ years experience, or Master’s + 7+ years experience (required).
• Operations leadership experience (preferably multi-site).
• Project management and process improvement; change management; organizational transformation.
• Proven track record delivering capital projects on time, within budget, and to standard.
• Familiarity with building codes and life safety/health & safety regulations.
• Preferred: owner’s rep experience for pharma/biotech R&D lab design/operations and space optimization.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, leadership, and team management.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Benefits (as stated)

• medical/dental/vision, life/disability insurance, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, employee assistance, tuition reimbursement, voluntary benefits; sick time, flexible vacation, parental leave.