Project Manager, Central Labs

Title: Project Manager, Central Labs Location: Remote Kentucky United States of America Full time Remote At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll join a global organization at the forefront of clinical research and laboratory science. In partnership with PPD, we support the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech organizations—successfully delivering over 2,700 clinical trials across 100+ countries in the past five years. We are seeking a Project Manager, Central Labs to lead and coordinate central laboratory activities across clinical trial programs. This is a high-impact role requiring strong operational oversight, cross-functional leadership, and client engagement. This is a fully remote role supporting our Global Central Laboratories. We welcome applicants from all locations within the US. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening. The Role The Project Manager serves as the primary liaison between operational departments, affiliates, sponsors, and laboratory teams. You will oversee study setup, maintenance, and close-out activities for assigned clinical protocols and programs, while supporting the broader Project Management function.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary project management lead for assigned clinical trials, including complex, multi-faceted studies.
• Act as the main point of contact for internal laboratory functions and external clients.
• Independently identify, manage, and mitigate study-level risks; escalate cross-functional or significant issues as needed.
• Lead study start-up activities including protocol and amendment review, milestone planning, risk assessments, and budget oversight.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across laboratory operations, logistics, data management, quality, IT, and external vendors to ensure seamless execution.
• Manage study timelines, deliverables, interdependencies, and performance metrics to ensure on-time and high-quality data delivery.
• Maintain accurate project documentation in alignment with SOPs and project management standards.
• Monitor scope, timelines, and financial performance throughout the study lifecycle.
• Support financial oversight including forecasting, budget tracking, burn analysis, and invoice approvals.
• Prepares for and facilitates internal and client-facing meetings, ensuring clear agendas, documented decisions, and actionable follow-ups.
• Balance multiple concurrent studies while maintaining compliance, quality, and operational excellence.
• Support departmental and client objectives through additional project-related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications: Education

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification).

Experience

• Labs Project Manager I: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 0+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.
• Labs Project Manager II: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 3+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.
• Labs Project Manager III: Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 7+ years’) or equivalent combination of education, training, & experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Previous experience in dedicated project manager role supporting central laboratory strongly preferred
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex studies in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong project management competencies including planning, execution, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Solid understanding of clinical trial processes and central laboratory operations.
• Analytical and solution-oriented mindset with sound decision-making capability.
• Proficiency in project management tools, internal systems, and standard business software.
• Ability to interpret and apply SOPs, work instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion when handling confidential clinical and business information.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

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