As a leading global contract research organization (CRO) with a passion for scientific rigor and decades of clinical development experience, Fortrea provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device customers a wide range of clinical development, patient access and technology solutions across more than 20 therapeutic areas.With over 19,000 staff conducting operations in more than 90 countries, Fortrea is transforming drug and device development for partners and patients across the globe.Job Overview:The IT Project Director oversees and directs multiple international projects concurrently.Accountable for project execution to include managing project leaders and teams, developing and managing budgets, timelines, and quality guidelines for projects, thereby ensuring that expectations are met while identifying and mitigating risks.The IT Project Director is accountable for oversight of project communications, scope, schedule, cost, quality, and stakeholders.They ensure that variance from project plans is proactively mitigated, and client expectations are met by the team.The IT Project Director also ensures accurate documentation for the project, with timely data updates that are high quality.They supervise and assess the performance of the core team members and motivate, train, and develop the team's expertise.They ensure efficient and effective day-to-day operations, while maintaining good relationships with sponsors.The IT Project Director is expected to have a working knowledge of IT solution development, solution deployment, data migration, solution retirement, IT infrastructure and IT cyber security.The IT Project Director may also have line management and / or business development responsibilities.Summary of Responsibilities:Project deliveryResponsible for project delivery with regards to agreed time, scope, cost, quality, successful outcomes, and project valueTEAM COMMUNICATION: Serve as key business/client contact for assigned projects, establishing working relationships with business/client project teams which result in business/client satisfaction, operational excellence and thereby increase potential for project ROI or repeat client businessLead core project team(s) and facilitate team's ability to lead extended project team(s), ensuring effective cross-functional teamwork among project team members including both internal and external stakeholdersServe as escalation point for project issues to internal and external stakeholders, as appropriatePLANNING: Create, maintain, and manage detailed Project Plans using approved PMO Tools; clearly articulating work breakdown structures of deliverables by phase, activity, and task; with role assignments and estimates to complete on each taskRESOURCE MANAGEMENT: Partner with resource managers and functional owners to identify all resources required to execute your plan, negotiate, and place resource requests and manage the resource plan for your projectsTEAM COMMUNICATION: Proactively identify and resolve conflicts as neededCOST: With key stakeholders, develop the project delivery strategy, costing assumptions and resulting budget for assigned project(s).Create and maintain project accounting records to accurately reflect, by month, by expenditure type and class; project spend-to-date, estimates to complete and estimates at complete; analyzing with explanation any variance between budget, plan, actuals and forecast.SCOPE: Oversee delivery of project(s) to scope, schedule, and costs, ensuring all remain on track with the contract and with financial performance targets.Initiate and implement appropriate actions to proactively manage the change control process both internally and externallyRISK: Proactively lead both quality control and risk assurance activities to ensure project deliverables are met according to regulatory, and business/client requirementsQUALITY: Oversee team management of and variance to required project plans.Ensure that all staff allocated to assigned project(s) adheres to professional standards and SOPs, managing team performance and adjustments as necessary.Ensure that projects are delivered meeting GxP Quality compliance rules and regulations as it applies to IT projectsDevelop and manage to key project performance indicators ensuring that the KPIs are within scope of the project charter/contractDefine and manage project resource needs and establish succession plans for key resourcesUse experience from previous projects and lessons learned to ensure process improvements are implemented successfully across all projectsEnsure that Steering Committee is established for projects and lead or co-lead the meeting with the business to ensure that leadership is kept appraised of status, upcoming activities, dependencies, risks, and roadblocksDevelop an understanding of Agile ways of working and Product mindset and assist in moving the organization towards adopting these ways of workingBusiness DevelopmentIn collaboration with relevant departments, support presentations for new projects and client business as requiredPerform other duties as assigned by managementLine Management & Talent DevelopmentTrains & mentors new Project Managers in multiple areas of expertiseEnsures allocated resources are aligned with current and forecasted work in terms of capability, quantity, timing, and efficiencyAttracts, selects, on-boards, develops, and retains high performing talent; strengthens and deepens talent bench and successionAssesses project management competencies for assigned staff to create developmental plans that will increase competencies and close performance gapsProvides line management and technical support to assigned project leaders, including training, development, and performance review of assigned staffQualifications (Minimum Required):University/college degree (Information Technology preferred) or certification in Information Technology (Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements).Experience (Minimum Required): Minimum of nine (9) years of IT project experience in the related functional area - managing IT projects in the AI/ML area leveraging AI technologies in the Clinical space, including at least four (4) years of full project management responsibilityWorking knowledge of regulatory requirements and IT technologies for the related functional area.Advanced computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and Power Point)Demonstrated ability to inspire effective teamwork and motivate staff within a matrix systemExcellent communication, planning and organizational skillsDemonstrated ability to lead by example and to encourage team members to seek solutions independentlyExperience managing full-service complex programs with significant financial value and complicated structure, multiple vendors in a virtual environmentDemonstrated ability to handle multiple competing priorities and to utilize resources effectivelyAdvanced financial understanding and ability to actively utilize financial tracking systemsExcellent knowledge of project management processes and methodologiesAbility to work independently and mentor junior project team membersAbility to negotiate and liaise with clients in a professional mannerAbility to present to staff at all levels Preferred Qualifications Include:Master or other advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Sciences or a related technical fieldExperience in AI/ML Projects: Proven track record of managing projects in artificial intelligence and machine learning.Experience with deploying ML models into production is highly desirable.Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of E2E software development and machine learning algorithms.Specifically, with MLOps, DataOps and/or DevOps.Familiarity with tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and other relevant AI technologies (all nice to have).Adaptability: Ability to navigate with ambiguous requirements, lead building V1 products and MVPs within 90 days within AI Studio org.Certifications in Project Management, Program management, SAFE, Agile, Scrum, AI/MLGlobal project management experienceUnderstanding of Agile ways of working and Product mindset preferredUnderstanding of GxP Quality rules and regulations as it applies to delivering IT projectsPhysical Demands / Work Environment: No physical demands / work environment factors defined at this timeFortrea is actively seeking motivated problem-solvers and creative thinkers who share our passion for overcoming barriers in clinical trials.Our unwavering commitment is to revolutionize the development process, ensuring the swift delivery of life-changing ideas and therapies to patients in need.Join our exceptional team and embrace a collaborative workspace where personal growth is nurtured, enabling you to make a meaningful global impact.
