Job SummaryWe are seeking a strategic and hands-on PMO Leader to build and lead our IT Project Management Office. In this role, you will lead a team of IT Project Managers delivering custom software solutions that support our clinical and business operations, while establishing the standards, processes, and governance that ensure those projects are delivered consistently, transparently, and in compliance with industry regulations. You will partner with IT leadership, business stakeholders, and engineering teams to align project portfolios with organizational priorities and drive measurable improvements in delivery performance.
ResponsibilitiesTeam Leadership- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of IT Project Managers, including hiring, performance management, and career development
- Allocate PM resources across projects based on priorities, complexity, and team capacity
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration between project management and engineering teams
PMO Governance and Process- Establish, document, and maintain project management methodologies, standards, templates, and best practices (Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches)
- Define and enforce project governance, including stage gates, approval processes, change control, and escalation paths
- Ensure software development projects meet regulatory, quality, and data integrity requirements applicable to a CRO environment (e.g., GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, validation requirements)
- Partner with Validation and Quality Assurance teams to align PMO processes with SDLC, computer system validation, and audit-readiness expectations
- Conduct periodic project health checks and audits to confirm adherence to PMO standards
Portfolio Management and Reporting- Own the IT project portfolio, including intake, prioritization, and roadmap planning in collaboration with IT and business leadership
- Develop and deliver portfolio dashboards, status reports, and key performance metrics to senior leadership
- Oversee portfolio-level resource forecasting and capacity planning
- Identify cross-project dependencies, risks, and conflicts, and drive resolution at the portfolio level
Strategy and Continuous Improvement- Define PMO strategy, goals, and maturity roadmap aligned with IT and corporate objectives
- Select, implement, and administer project and portfolio management tools (e.g., Jira, Azure DevOps, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project)
- Lead post-project reviews and use lessons learned to refine processes and improve delivery outcomes
- Serve as an escalation point for high-risk or high-visibility projects and provide direct project oversight when needed
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field (Master's degree preferred)
- 10+ years of experience in IT project management, including 3+ years in a leadership role managing project managers or a PMO
- Demonstrated experience establishing or maturing PMO processes, governance frameworks, and project standards
- Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches
- Experience managing a portfolio of concurrent software projects, including budgets, resource planning, and risk management
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with executives, business stakeholders, and technical teams
- Strong leadership, coaching, and conflict resolution skills
- Proficiency with project and portfolio management tools and reporting platforms
Preferred:- PMP, PgMP, PfMP, SAFe, or other relevant certification
- Experience in a Contract Research Organization, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated life sciences environment
- Working knowledge of GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, HIPAA, and computer system validation practices
- Experience overseeing custom, internally developed software projects rather than only vendor/COTS implementations
- Experience with organizational change management and driving adoption of new processes across teams
- Familiarity with portfolio management tools and data visualization/reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
What to Expect NextA Medpace team member will review your application and if your profile matches our current needs, you will be contacted for an interview. While we review all applications carefully, we are unable to respond to every applicant, and only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
