Project Director- Engineering

Project Director- Engineering

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Company: Orchestra Life Sciences

Reports to: Vice President, Architectural and Design Engineering

Direct Reports: NA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Role Summary

The Project Director- Engineering will lead the planning and execution of complex capital investment programs for advanced therapy and radiopharmaceutical facilities. This role requires deep expertise in managing large-scale engineering and construction programs—from concept through qualification—within GMP-regulated environments.

The Project Director will oversee multiple concurrent projects, providing leadership across project management, design coordination, cost control, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams, ensuring strategic alignment, financial discipline, and successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Leadership

• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams to deliver complex CAPEX projects from concept to startup.
• Oversee full project lifecycle including feasibility, budgeting, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Manage integrated project delivery (IPD) approaches, balancing scope, cost, and schedule performance.
• Establish and maintain governance structures, reporting frameworks, and project controls.
• Serve as the primary client interface, ensuring satisfaction, transparency, and alignment with business goals.

Strategic & Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage capital expenditure plans, forecasts, and funding requests.
• Lead development of business cases, CERs, and cost models to support investment decisions.
• Implement standardized project management metrics, KPIs, and financial dashboards.
• Drive change control, risk mitigation, and value engineering initiatives.

Design & Construction Management

• Coordinate design development and integration across architecture, process, and engineering disciplines.
• Manage RFPs, vendor selection, and contracts for A/E firms, CM partners, and equipment suppliers.
• Oversee construction progress, change management, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, safety, and regulatory standards throughout project execution.
• Support commissioning and qualification planning, ensuring readiness for GMP operations.

Leadership & Mentorship

 

• Lead and mentor internal project management and technical teams to build organizational capability.
• Contribute to the development of OLS’s project delivery frameworks, tools, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation across projects and partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in managing capital projects ($50M–$500M range) in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or radiopharmaceutical sectors.
• Proven success leading multi-site, multi-phase CAPEX programs under GMP or regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of project controls, risk management, and integrated delivery methodologies (EPCM, IPD, Design-Build).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with ability to influence senior leadership and external partners.
• Experience with cost modeling, earned value management, and financial reporting tools.
• Ability to travel as required for client site oversight and partner coordination