Contract Senior Project Manager Jobs in Worcester, MA

Senior Project Manager

Discover Veranova:

At Veranova, we believe people are our most important asset, and we are dedicated to building the most talented workforce in our industry. Our commitment to uncompromising focus on quality, compliance, safety, and excellence in delivery shapes everything we do. We are not just looking for skills; we are seeking innovative individuals who have a mindset open to learning and growth, and a desire to make a difference. Every role at Veranova plays a part in delivering an exceptional customer experience through ownership and integrity.

Veranova is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for pharma and biotech customers. With deep technical expertise and impressive flexibility, we develop solutions and processes that support and accelerate innovation.

Join us on our mission to enable current and next-generation therapeutics to improve and save the lives of patients.

Role Overview:

The Senior Project Manager will lead cross-functional project teams to deliver complex CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) programs. This role is responsible for managing R&D and manufacturing activities, including seamless technology transfers between internal and client manufacturing sites. Serving as the primary point of contact for the client, the Senior Project Manager ensures alignment across all internal and external stakeholders. The PM is responsible for ensuring the client contracts are being managed and will use their organizational, collaboration, influencing and leadership skills to initiate, plan, execute and monitor client projects.

This position requires close collaboration with cross-functional areas including development, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and finance to drive execution and program deliverables. This role demands a high level of technical acumen, strong communication skills, and the ability to coordinate across multiple functions and sites. The Senior Project Manager is accountable for ensuring that program objectives are met on time, within scope and budget, and in accordance with quality and regulatory standards.

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic oversight of end-to-end drug substance program lifecycle, ensuring successful progression through development, scale-up, validation, and commercial readiness; Own program financial performance, including scope governance, and timely execution of change orders and client billing.
• Lead, motivate and hold accountable high-performing cross-functional project teams, establishing clear ownership, driving effective decision making, and fostering a culture of excellence and customer-focused delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients, ensuring alignment on project goals, timelines, deliverables, and expectations.
• Develop and manage integrated project plans, including scope, timelines, resources, risk mitigation strategies, and budgets; Champion proactive risk and issue management, driving cross-functional mitigation strategies, leading executive-level escalations, and ensuring rapid resolution of program barriers.
• Lead governance forums, client meetings, and executive updates with clear communication of program status, risks, decisions and strategic recommendations.
• Lead complex technology transfers across internal and client manufacturing sites, ensuring technical readiness, risk mitigation, and flawless execution.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of project management experience in the pharmaceutical CDMO industry, with a strong focus on drug substance development and manufacturing.
• Demonstrates fundamentals and concepts of managerial accounting and P&L management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and interface with executive leadership to drive client and organizational alignment.
• Strong understanding of cGMP ICH and regulatory guidance impacting drug substance development and manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, manage expectations, and represent the organization with professionalism and credibility; Comfortable influencing without authority and driving collaboration across departments and levels; Demonstrated ability to influence senior-level stakeholders and navigate complex client dynamics.
• Ability to motivate and lead cross-functional teams to high performance and ownership; Track record of delivering high-touch service, acting with urgency and accountability in all client interactions.
• Understands the CDMO program management process, including the management of client contracts, management of change orders, revenue leakages, invoicing and passthrough concepts between others to ensure we keep a wholistic approach when managing programs and their revenue value.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this role is $140,000–$155,000 annually. This range represents a good‑faith estimate of the compensation we expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In exceptional cases, compensation may exceed the stated range.

All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our annual incentive bonus program. Bonus targets vary by career level and are based on individual and company performance.

Our Commitment:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Access to mental health resources and wellness programs. Generous PTO and holiday pay policies.
• Financial Wellness: Veranova is committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. This includes a competitive base salary, eligibility for performance-based bonuses, and an attractive 401(k) Plan with company match. Salary ranges reflect the scope and expectations of the role, and are based on market data, internal equity, and role-specific factors. Final compensation may vary depending on experience, skills, education, and business needs.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning through LinkedIn Learning, workshops, conferences, and mentorship. Tuition Assistance for Undergraduate and Graduate degree programs.
• Inclusive Culture: At Veranova, an inclusive culture is integral to our values. We welcome people with diverse experiences and perspectives who share our mission to improve and save lives. Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. Veterans, first responders, and those transitioning from military to civilian life bring valuable skills that strengthen our team.

Additional Information:

Applicants for this role must be authorized to work in the United States without further employer sponsorship.

Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Veranova does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting.

For applicants who may require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to talentacquisition@veranova.com in order to confirm your request for an accommodation. Please include the job number, title, and location of role. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Veranova employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Veranova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Veranova to provide equal employment access and opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

All applications are carefully considered, and your details will be stored on our secure Application Management System. This is used throughout Veranova for the selection of suitable candidates for our vacancies as they arise. Veranova respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. For more information about how your personal data is used please view our privacy notice.