Project Manager, Cell Therapy Quality Continuous Improvement

Role

A leading global biopharma company is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead Continuous Improvement initiatives within its Cell & Gene Therapy Quality organization. This is a high-visibility contract opportunity supporting business transformation projects in a regulated GMP environment, with direct impact on quality systems and operational excellence.

Location: Florham Park, NJ (Hybrid 50%) or Fitchburg MA (Hybrid 50%).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management across one or more business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives — from initiation through closure.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, managing all activities including kickoff meetings, recurring status updates, executive sponsor meetings, reporting, and risk tracking.
• Schedule and facilitate internal steering and working team meetings; prepare and distribute meeting notes and action items.
• Maintain and update project dashboards, charters, milestone trackers, and risk logs on a regular cadence.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to support program execution and change management/process impact discussions.
• Develop and execute change management strategy and plans, including defining change metrics and measuring effectiveness.
• Identify and manage key stakeholders — analyzing influence, impact, and support levels — and develop targeted engagement activities.
• Develop project communications strategy, messaging, and delivery across pre-defined channels; deploy pulse checks and surveys to measure awareness.
• Monitor and control scope, schedule, and budget using established project management standards and methodologies.
• Proactively identify, document, escalate, and resolve risks and issues.
• Ensure projects are formally closed in the project management tool upon completion of all deliverables per the project charter.

Competencies

• Strong organizational skills — ability to manage multiple priorities and resources across departments in a dynamic environment.
• Sound judgment and decision-making, with the ability to weigh costs and benefits of competing options.
• Critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative team player who can both lead and support depending on the need.
• Strong problem sensitivity — able to recognize when something is off and escalate appropriately.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Sciences, or Engineering required.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of project management experience.
• Experience working in a regulated/validated (GMP) environment is a significant plus.
• Pharma, biotech, or cell & gene therapy background strongly preferred.

Compensation: $70–$80/hour

*The hourly rate offered will be commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, and other relevant factors.

About the Search This search is being managed by Summit Strategic Search on behalf of our client. This is a contract position where the successful candidate will be engaged directly through the end client's standard onboarding process.

Equal Opportunity Commitment Summit Strategic Search and our client are equal opportunity partners. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Accommodations & Support We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and interview process. If you require assistance, please contact us at admin@summitstrategicsearch.com. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and provide all contractors with dedicated reporting channels to ensure a safe, professional work environment.

Selection & Onboarding As this role operates within a regulated industry, the end client's standard onboarding protocols apply, including a comprehensive background check and drug screening prior to the start of the engagement.