Director of Project Management - Systems & Software Services

Lead a High-Impact Project Management Practice for a Growing Industrial Automation Leader

Control Associates is seeking an accomplished Director of Project Management to lead our PMO practice and oversee multi-million dollar annual portfolio of industrial automation projects. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced PM executive who wants to build and develop a high-performing team while driving operational excellence for premier pharmaceutical, life sciences, and industrial clients.

Your Role and Impact:

Reporting directly to the VP of Systems & Software Services, you'll lead a team of Project Managers and Project Controls professionals responsible for delivering complex industrial automation projects on time, within budget, and to exacting quality standards. You'll develop and implement PMO processes, drive consistency across project delivery, and serve as a senior client-facing leader who builds lasting relationships with key customer stakeholders.

What You'll Lead and Deliver:

PMO Leadership & Team Development:
• Oversee a team of Project Managers and Project Controls professionals managing a multi-million dollar annual project portfolio
• Develop, implement, and train the PMO team on project management processes to ensure consistency and successful project execution
• Manage onboarding plans, training materials, and ongoing development using Control Associates' learning management systems
• Hire, mentor, and develop Project Managers to build a high-performing, cohesive team
• Provide feedback and conduct lessons learned sessions to drive continuous improvement

Project Portfolio Management:
• Oversee industrial automation projects including DCS/PLC, MES, OT Infrastructure, Process Data, and cGMP CSV Validation deliverables
• Ensure projects are properly set up and managed using IFS ERP and project scheduling tools
• Ensure the PMO team manages scope, resources, budgets, and schedules to meet project deliverables and timelines
• Visualize and manage project tasks, timelines, dependencies, resources, and deliverables through MS Project and customer-specific tools
• Oversee monthly invoicing activities including estimating, tracking, and adjusting as needed
• Ensure accurate monthly revenue recognition of project costs and revenue for senior leadership reporting

Stakeholder Management & Client Relationships:
• Attend project steering team meetings to build and maintain relationships with key customer stakeholders
• Ensure effective communication of status updates with internal engineering teams, external partners, and customers
• Partner with Services Managers and Account Managers to ensure seamless project handovers from sales to operations
• Serve as a senior escalation point for complex project challenges and customer satisfaction issues

Quality & Compliance:
• Effectively apply QMS/ISO 9000 processes and deploy Control Associates' project methodology and standards
• Participate in ISO 9000 audits and present project materials to auditors to ensure compliance
• Ensure adherence to cGMP requirements and pharmaceutical industry standards across relevant projects

What You'll Bring:

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or IT (required)
• PMP certification required
• 15+ years of total experience in Project Management, Technical SME, and/or Portfolio Management within engineering, manufacturing, IT, or construction industries
• 5+ years of direct experience managing Project Managers, including hiring, mentoring, and training
• Proven track record of independently leading complex technical projects to successful completion
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (IFS preferred)
• Proficiency with MS Project, MS Office 365 suite including Power BI, Advanced Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
• Knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) systems and their usage within manufacturing environments
• Excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills for senior client-facing role
• Deadline-driven mindset with strong budget consciousness across large project portfolios

Preferred Qualifications:
• Direct experience executing OT systems projects in pharmaceutical or industrial environments
• Experience with cGMP CSV Validation projects
• Background in pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing environments

What Sets You Apart:

You're a seasoned PM leader who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. You build high-performing teams through mentorship and clear process development. You're equally comfortable presenting to client steering committees and rolling up your sleeves to resolve project challenges. You bring a natural ability to balance multiple competing priorities while maintaining unwavering focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes.

How This Role Embodies Our Core Values:

Customer Focus: You'll prioritize client success by ensuring your team delivers projects that exceed expectations, building lasting relationships with key stakeholders at premier pharmaceutical and industrial clients.

Collaboration: You'll achieve superior results by developing a cohesive PMO team, partnering with Services and Account Managers, and fostering seamless communication across all project stakeholders.

Innovation: You'll drive continuous improvement in project delivery processes, implementing best practices and leveraging technology to enhance PMO capabilities.

Integrity: You'll build trust through transparent project reporting, honest stakeholder communication, and unwavering commitment to quality and compliance standards.

Passion: You'll inspire excellence in your team, bringing enthusiasm and dedication to building a world-class PMO practice.

What We Offer:

Competitive Compensation & Growth Potential

Base salary of $160,000-$210,000 plus performance bonus that rewards your leadership and portfolio success.

Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits

Multiple medical plan options plus vision and dental coverage for you and your dependents. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, commuter tax benefits, and company-paid long-term disability and life insurance.

Work-Life Balance

Generous paid time off including vacation days, holidays, and sick leave. Standard business hours Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM.

Secure Your Future

401(k) plan with company matching contributions, plus our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - giving you an ownership stake in Control Associates' success.

Professional Development

Opportunities for continued professional growth, leadership development, and direct partnership with senior leadership to shape the future of our PMO practice.

Ready to Lead a High-Impact PMO Practice?

If you're a seasoned project management leader with deep industrial automation expertise who wants to build and lead a high-performing PMO team for a growing industry leader, we want to hear from you! Join Control Associates and apply your leadership expertise to delivering complex automation projects that power critical industries.

Location: Allendale, NJ | Reports to: VP of Systems & Software Services | Some travel required to client sites within local territory. Work visa sponsorship is not available. Direct hire only.