WHAT YOU OWNYou will be fully accountable for program outcomes across two dimensions:
Project Performance & Financials - Scope integrity and change control
- Schedule performance vs. baseline
- Gross margin protection and forecast accuracy
- Revenue recognition timing
- Risk identification and mitigation
Project Execution & Relationships - Client satisfaction and trust
- Integrated project planning
- Cross-functional alignment
- Phase gate ownership
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Program Leadership - Serve as the primary client interface throughout program execution, maintaining clear communication and trusted relationships.
- Manage programs from initiation through closure, including planning, feasibility, development, verification, and manufacturing transfer phases.
- Lead cross-functional teams spanning R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations.
- Navigate complex stakeholder environments and maintain alignment internally and externally.
- Facilitate project kickoffs, phase-gate reviews, design reviews, and recurring client and internal status meetings.
- Monitor scope, schedule, and resources; escalate issues and develop response plans to address proactively.
Financial Management - Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and deliverables with clear milestones and dependencies.
- Own program financial performance, including revenue, gross margin, change order management, and cash flow.
- Develop and analyze monthly forecasts, proactively communicating risks and applying lessons learned to improve accuracy.
Client Engagement - Provide proactive, transparent communication to clients on technical progress, schedule, budget, risks, and mitigations.
- Build client trust through follow-through and accountability - deliver on commitments.
- Collaborate with Business Development to ensure continuity from sales into execution, supporting scope and budget change conversations.
- Support Business Development in scoping new client projects across requirements, assumptions, deliverables, schedule, and budget.
Compliance & Risk Management - Ensure project execution aligns with the company Quality Management System (QMS), design controls, and applicable regulatory standards (FDA, ISO).
- Identify and actively manage risks and opportunities, implementing mitigations proactively.
- Participate as a program representative in client and regulatory audits.
PMO & Continuous Improvement - Operate as a pillar of the PMO: go beyond execution to recognize patterns, improve processes, and share best practices.
- Use Smartsheet as the central source of truth for project schedules, milestones, risks, and status updates.
- Report regular project health updates to Leadership.
- Drive standardization of tools and processes, using metrics to guide improvement.
- Incorporate post-mortems and lessons learned into future project planning.
PMO Core Values Every program manager at Ascential is expected to operate by these core principles:
- Ownership
- Transparency
- Discipline
- Partnership
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement
QUALIFICATIONS Education - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field (advanced degree a plus).
- PMP certification highly preferred.
Experience - 10+ years of program or project management experience in a CDMO, medical device, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience owning program financials, including revenue, gross margin, and change order management.
- Proven track record leading cross-functional teams through complex, multi-phase product development programs.
Skills & Capabilities - Strong leadership presence - able to drive decisions and lead with authority, not just influence.
- Deep knowledge of standard project management processes, methods, and best practices.
- Ability to create and manage complex schedules with detailed work breakdown structures.
- Ability to build and manage program budgets; financial acumen is essential.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration with both technical teams and executive clients.
- Clear, confident communicator - written, verbal, and in formal presentations.
- Skilled at risk identification: able to predict key risk areas and define actionable mitigations.
- Comfort with ambiguity - able to assess complex situations and chart a path forward with incomplete data.
- Willing and able to have direct, professional conversations with clients and colleagues when needed.
- Proficient in Smartsheet or equivalent project management platforms; comfortable with dashboards and reporting.
- Knowledge of NPI processes, design controls, and regulated product development (FDA, ISO 13485).
- Calm under pressure - able to lead with clarity and composure in high-stakes situations.
- Entrepreneurial mindset - willing to fill gaps, wear multiple hats, and help build something great.
COMPENSATION & LOCATION This is a full-time, on-site position based in Corvallis, Oregon. Compensation is expected to be $108,000-135,000 annually commensurate with experience, skills, education, and job-related knowledge. In addition to a competitive base salary, Ascential offers a comprehensive benefits package.
