Director, IT PMO - Biotech / Life Sciences IT Leadership

Are you an experienced Biotech / Life Sciences IT PMO leader who thrives in fast-moving environments, knows how to bring clarity to complexity, and understands that successful transformation starts with people?

Slipstream IT is seeking a Director, IT PMO - Biotech / Life Sciences IT Leadership to establish and strengthen IT project delivery capabilities within a growing biotechnology organization.

This is an opportunity to shape how technology initiatives are prioritized, managed, and delivered-building practical structure while preserving the agility and collaborative culture essential to a smaller biotech company.

We're looking for a hands-on, emotionally intelligent leader with direct biotech IT PMO experience who can navigate ambiguity, earn stakeholder trust, and introduce meaningful improvements without unnecessary bureaucracy.

This is not a traditional, large-enterprise PMO leadership position. You'll roll up your sleeves, drive initiatives directly, and establish a foundation that can scale as the organization grows.

What You'll Do

Build & Evolve the IT PMO

• Assess existing IT project delivery practices and establish a practical roadmap for PMO maturity.
• Develop scalable governance, project intake, prioritization, resource planning, and portfolio management processes.
• Optimize the organization's existing Smartsheet-based PMO, including dashboards, workflows, project tracking, and executive reporting.
• Introduce structure, consistency, and accountability without creating unnecessary administrative overhead.

Lead Projects & Drive Execution

• Personally lead critical IT projects and cross-functional initiatives while building broader PMO capabilities.
• Oversee project priorities, schedules, budgets, dependencies, risks, and resource allocation.
• Partner with IT leadership, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, and business stakeholders to align technology delivery with organizational priorities.
• Coordinate external vendors and consulting partners to ensure successful delivery and measurable outcomes.

Influence, Collaborate & Lead Change

• Build trusted relationships across technical and business teams, including stakeholders who may be resistant to change.
• Drive process improvements through collaboration, thoughtful communication, and practical problem-solving.
• Partner with evolving business and technology leadership to establish effective ways of working.
• Foster accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop additional PMO resources as organizational needs expand.

Support Regulated Biotech Operations

• Incorporate GxP, computer system validation (CSV), 21 CFR Part 11, and applicable quality requirements into IT project delivery.
• Collaborate with Quality and IT stakeholders to support compliant documentation, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Balance regulatory requirements with efficient, scalable processes suited to a growing biotechnology organization.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of IT project, program, or portfolio management experience, including at least 3 years establishing, leading, or maturing IT PMO functions.
• Direct biotechnology industry experience in an IT project, program, or PMO leadership capacity is required. Candidates must understand the unique operational, technical, and regulatory demands of biotechnology environments.
• Demonstrated success building or transforming IT PMO capabilities within smaller, growing, or resource-constrained organizations.
• Hands-on Smartsheet experience, including project tracking, dashboards, workflows, and portfolio reporting.
• Working knowledge of GxP, CSV, 21 CFR Part 11, and regulated IT project delivery.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional IT initiatives using Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid methodologies.
• Strong stakeholder management and change leadership skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence without formal authority.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and executive-level communication.
• A proactive, self-directed working style with a strong sense of urgency, accountability, and sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• IT PMO leadership experience supporting biotechnology R&D, clinical development, manufacturing, or laboratory operations.
• Experience scaling PMO functions and developing project management teams.
• PMP, PgMP, or relevant Agile certification.
• Advanced Smartsheet capabilities or Smartsheet certification.

What Makes Someone Successful Here?

We're looking for a leader who:

• Brings calm to complexity: Creates clarity and structure in evolving environments without disrupting relationships or slowing progress.
• Leads with emotional intelligence: Builds trust, understands organizational dynamics, and helps stakeholders embrace change.
• Balances strategy with execution: Can develop a PMO roadmap while personally managing critical project deliverables.
• Understands biotech: Recognizes the regulatory, scientific, operational, and technological considerations that shape IT delivery in a biotechnology organization.
• Thrives in lean environments: Is resourceful, adaptable, comfortable wearing multiple hats, and energized by building something meaningful.
• Takes initiative: Anticipates challenges, makes sound decisions, and drives progress independently while keeping stakeholders appropriately informed.
• Builds on what works: Improves established Smartsheet processes and existing workflows rather than introducing unnecessary complexity.

Location & Working Arrangement

This position supports a biotechnology partner in Hampton, New Jersey.

• Preferred: Hybrid schedule with approximately three days per week on-site.
• Flexible alternative: Highly qualified candidates outside the immediate area may be considered for remote work with biweekly travel to the New Jersey client site.

Candidates must be able to maintain the on-site presence necessary to collaborate effectively with leadership and support key business initiatives.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to make a visible impact at a pivotal stage of organizational growth.

You'll work directly with IT leadership, shape the future of project delivery, introduce meaningful improvements, and establish a scalable PMO that supports continued biotechnology innovation.

If you're a collaborative, hands-on IT PMO leader with proven biotechnology experience who enjoys creating clarity, empowering teams, and turning complex challenges into measurable results, we'd welcome the opportunity to connect.

Slipstream IT Life Sciences, Accelerated. Expertise Delivered.