Life Sciences Program Manager

Life Sciences Program Manager

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they will receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

P&M Cincinnati Division:

The Cincinnati division serves clients across various markets, including Agricultural, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, Chemical, Consumer Products, and Metals. Our multidisciplinary team delivers integrated solutions that address complex challenges while maintaining the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager is responsible for driving business growth and financial performance by delivering exceptional client satisfaction. This role focuses on expanding the existing client base through the development of strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, including procurement, engineering, operations, and plant leadership. Serving as a visible ambassador for the team, the Program Manager secures new work, leads and empowers project teams, acts as the primary liaison between clients and execution teams, and consistently upholds company values and standards.

Reporting Structure:

This position reports to the Director of Business Development and works closely with divisional leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Client Relationship Management

• Build and deepen relationships with key client stakeholders to create a sustainable pipeline and backlog aligned with financial targets. Key stakeholders include:

  • Corporate decision-makers – enabling larger, enterprise-level opportunities
  • Procurement and buyers – aligning requirements and supporting proposal closeout
  • Site leaders – identifying, shaping, and securing site-specific work

• Develop a strong understanding of each client’s priorities, invest in their success, and identify how Salas O’Brien can help them achieve their goals

• Serve as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders, ensuring a responsive, low-friction client experience

• Develop and deliver client-ready presentations that communicate capabilities, summarize scope and schedule, and clearly outline risks, recommendations, and required decisions

• Provide high-level project updates to client stakeholders to maintain alignment and transparency

• Provide ongoing and annual updates to client stakeholders on Salas O’Brien services and capabilities

• Proactively identify and resolve client and project issues by facilitating timely communication, managing conflict, and aligning stakeholders on next steps

• Develop account growth strategies, including introducing new services, cross-selling, and expanding into additional client sites

• Partner with internal stakeholders to define pursuit strategies and strengthen proposals

Strategic Leadership:

• Demonstrate leadership behaviors that reinforce the company’s core values

• Serve as a visible ambassador of the firm with clients, partners, and industry organizations

• Partner across the Cincinnati division, the broader Business Unit, and other divisions to win and deliver work as One Salas O’Brien

• Support business planning by defining, tracking, and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs)

Contract Negotiation & Management

• Facilitate negotiations for client contracts, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements

• Structure contracts that drive business forward while maintaining profitability

• Collaborate with internal leadership and project teams to ensure contract terms align with operational capabilities

• Monitor contract performance and identify opportunities for renewal and expansion

Team Leadership & Development

• Coach and mentor project managers and client-facing seller-doers to strengthen capabilities and performance

• Create a collaborative, accountable team environment that promotes ownership and continuous improvement

• Partner with internal stakeholders to align communication and priorities and drive efficient execution across teams

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with divisional leadership team to align activities with overall company strategy and ensure growth targets and profit goals are met

• Coordinate with project delivery teams to ensure a seamless transition from sales through execution and strong project performance across the Cincinnati division, the broader Business Unit, and other divisions

• Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development to develop marketing collateral, engage clients, and represent the firm at industry events and tradeshows

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related technical field. Advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in Life Sciences, engineering, manufacturing, automation, capital projects, or technical services supporting regulated environments.

• 7-10 years of Program and/or Project Management experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, healthcare, CDMO/CMO/CRO, or laboratory environments.

• Demonstrated success managing large-scale programs involving multiple stakeholders, budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams while delivering business and operational objectives.

• Experience in at least two of the following Life Sciences sectors: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, Healthcare, CDMO/CMO/CRO, Cell & Gene Therapy, or Laboratory Services.

6. Strong knowledge of regulatory and quality standards, including cGMP (21 CFR Parts 210/211), FDA regulations, ISPE guidelines, GAMP 5, and ASME BPE, with experience operating within validated and highly regulated manufacturing environments.

7. Proven experience managing enterprise-level client relationships and serving as a strategic program lead, ensuring alignment between client objectives, operational execution, and business outcomes.

8. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive program governance, manage risks, and communicate effectively with executive stakeholders.

9. PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project/program management certification preferred.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong understanding of engineering, automation, procurement and construction services

• Demonstrated experience successfully executing the development and closure of proposal opportunities.

• Demonstrated experience in contract structuring and negotiation

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to conduct market research and trend analysis

• Proven track record of successfully managing clients and conflict management

• Strong financial acumen and understanding of project profitability metrics

• Advanced skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint

Core Competencies

• Relationship building and management

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Strategic thinking and planning

• Cross-functional collaboration

• Results-oriented mindset

• Adaptability and resourcefulness

• Proven Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Ability to inspire and motivate team members toward common goals

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of annual goals and growth targets

• Client retention and expansion rates

• New business acquisition metrics

• Contract win rates and profitability margins

Behaviors

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates an understanding of client needs in industrial environments and delivers technical solutions that emphasize safety, reliability, compliance, and long-term value.
• Passion for Growth – Continuously develops technical, industry, and consulting skills to support personal effectiveness and firm growth
• Leadership Impact – Influences project outcomes through sound engineering/technical judgment, professionalism, and accountability
• Communication – Clearly communicates technical information, project status, issues, recommendations, etc. to clients and internal stakeholders
• Ownership – Takes responsibility for quality, schedule, and deliverables within assigned work scope
• Act With Urgency – Demonstrates a proactive sense of urgency in addressing client needs, project issues, and commitments while maintaining safety and quality standards
• Teamwork – Works collaboratively across disciplines to deliver integrated and collaborative technical solutions
• Technical Excellence – Applies solid engineering/technical fundamentals, codes, standards, and best practices to projects
• Functional Excellence – Executes work processes efficiently using tools, systems, and methodologies

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Work Model: Hybrid

Travel: This position requires regular travel to client sites, industry conferences, SO Division sites and company meetings. Travel is estimated up to 50% of the time.

https://salasobrien.com/benefits/ (https://salasobrien.com/benefits/)

Experience

Required

• 15 year(s): Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in Life Sciences, engineering, manufacturing, automation, capital projects, or technical services supporting regulated environments.
• 7 - 10 years: 7-10 years of Program and/or Project Management experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary initiatives within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, healthcare, CDMO/CMO/CRO, or laboratory environments.

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• Project Management Pro

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.