Functional Project Manager Jobs in Smithfield, RI

Preparedness today, safer tomorrow.
Emergent is a leading public health company that delivers protective and life-saving solutions to
communities around the world. Here, you will join passionate professionals where our culture is informed
by our values and commitment to protecting and saving lives.
Job Summary
The Senior Manager, Project Management is accountable for end-to-end leadership and execution of the GMP commercial manufacturing facility re-start at the Canton, MA vaccine drug substance (DS) site. This role serves as the primary liaison between the Canton site and the client, ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, budget, compliance, and risk while delivering a compliant, inspection-ready operation. The position also leads and governs a portfolio of complex technical and capital projects, including new equipment and product introductions, remediation activities, and CAPEX initiatives, within a highly regulated GMP environment. In addition, the role provides site leadership for Operational Excellence (OE), driving deployment of OE tools and principles and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The incumbent partners with site leadership to embed OE thinking into daily operations and strategic execution.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide overall program leadership and accountability for the GMP facility re-start, from project initiation through execution, qualification, validation, regulatory readiness, and handover to operations.
• Act as the primary site interface with the client, ensuring transparent communication, issue escalation, governance, and alignment on milestones, deliverables, and change management.
• Lead integrated, cross-functional project teams spanning Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality (QA/QC), Engineering, Validation, Supply Chain, EHS, Finance, and Regulatory to meet agreed timelines and objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and control integrated project plans, budgets, resource plans, and forecasts; ensure disciplined project controls, reporting, and decision-making.
• Ensure all project activities are executed in compliance with cGMP, data integrity, EHS, and internal quality system requirements, supporting regulatory inspection readiness.
• Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks, technical challenges, and dependencies; develop and implement robust mitigation and contingency plans.
• Lead capital project execution, including equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, qualification, and validation for vaccine drug substance operations.
• Support and govern additional site-level initiatives such as new product introductions, process/technology transfers, remediation programs, and continuous improvement projects.
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise project updates, dashboards, and executive-level presentations for site leadership, corporate stakeholders, and the client.
• Mentor, coach, and develop project management resources; drive best practices, standardization, and a culture of accountability and delivery.
• Lead and evolve the site Operational Excellence (OE) program, deploying OE tools and methodologies and partnering with internal and external stakeholders to build sustainable OE capabilities.
• Partner with Site Leadership to embed OE principles into strategy deployment, daily management systems, tiered meetings, and value stream performance accountability.
• Drive knowledge sharing and best-practice exchange across sites, including OE training, benchmarking, and coordinated continuous improvement initiatives.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature of work performed by those in this job and are not an exhaustive list of all duties. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time which reflects management's assignment of essential functions.
Minimum Education, Experience & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or a related scientific/technical discipline is required; an advanced degree (M.S., MBA, or equivalent) is preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in project or program management within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or vaccine industry, with direct experience supporting GMP manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, cross-functional programs such as facility start-ups/re-starts, capital projects, or technology transfers in a regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of cGMP requirements, validation lifecycle, data integrity, and regulatory expectations (FDA, EMA) for commercial biologics/vaccine manufacturing.
• Proven client-facing experience with the ability to build credibility, manage expectations, and drive alignment in high-stakes, time-sensitive programs.
• Formal project management training or certification (PMP, PgMP, or equivalent) strongly preferred, expertise in standard project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent leadership, influence, and communication skills with the ability to operate effectively at executive and site-level forums.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience managing project budgets, forecasts, and CAPEX governance.
• Highly organized, results-oriented, and detail-focused, with the ability to manage ambiguity, competing priorities, and accelerated timelines.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to quality, safety, and compliance.

Leadership & Behavioral Skills

• Proven ability to lead in ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and influence without authority
• Strong executive level communication skills, oral, written, and presentation
• High level of business acumen, accountability, and sound judgment
• Ability to partner effectively across Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, Supply Chain, and external SMEs.
• Demonstrated change leadership, resilience, and adaptability in fast paced environment

U.S. Base Pay Ranges and Benefits Information
The estimated annual base salary as a new hire for this position ranges from $171,500 to $207,500. Individual base pay depends on various factors such as applicant's education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary may also be adjusted based on applicant's geographic location. Certain roles are eligible for additional incentive compensation, including merit increases, annual bonus, [and/or long-term incentives in the form of stock options.]
Additionally, Emergent offers a comprehensive benefits package*. Information regarding additional benefits can be found here: https://www.emergentbiosolutions.com/careers/life-at-emergent
(*Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies).
If you are selected for an interview, please feel welcome to speak to a Human Resources Partner about our compensation philosophy and available benefits.
There are physical/mental demands and work environment characteristics that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This information is available upon request from the candidate.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform all essential functions.
Emergent BioSolutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the diversity of our workforce. Emergent does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Information submitted will be used by Emergent BioSolutions for activities related to your prospective employment. Emergent BioSolutions respects your privacy and any use of the information submitted will be subject to the terms of our Privacy Policy .
Emergent BioSolutions does not accept non-solicited resumes or candidate submittals from search/recruiting agencies not already on Emergent BioSolutions' approved agency list. Unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted to Emergent BioSolutions by search/recruiting agencies not already on Emergent BioSolutions' approved agency list shall become the property of Emergent BioSolutions and if the candidate is subsequently hired by Emergent BioSolutions, Emergent BioSolutions shall not owe any fee to the submitting agency.
ABOUT EMERGENT
Emergent prepares those entrusted with protecting their communities against current and future health threats.
Our drive towards this vision informs all of our actions-whether it is our approach to product development, manufacturing, encouraging employee health and wellness or giving back to the community-we strive every day to achieve this shared goal.
WE BELIEVE IN OUR VALUES

• Lead with Integrity
  • We gain trust and confidence through ethics, quality, and compliance excellence
• Stand shoulder to shoulder
  • We combine our best thinking and communicate openly to support each other.
• Own it always
  • We are engaged and accountable for delivering on our commitments.
• Breakthrough thinking
  • We take smart risks, pursue innovation and challenge ourselves to constantly improve.
• Compete where it counts
  • We set the right goals and respect each other as we conquer them together.