Associate Project Director - CRO

SUMMARY

The Associate Project Director (APD) plays a pivotal leadership role within the Clinical Operations team, overseeing the successful delivery of complex clinical programs while contributing to strategic business growth. This position blends operational excellence with external engagement, making it ideal for a seasoned clinical leader who thrives at the intersection of project delivery, client partnership, and industry visibility.

The Associate PD will drive program strategy, ensuring quality execution, and fostering strong sponsor relationships. In addition, the role carries responsibility for business development activities, including proposal development, bid defense participation, and representing the organization at conferences, industry events, and professional forums.

RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Project Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for assigned clinical programs, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and to the highest quality standards.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for project teams, guiding issue resolution, risk mitigation, and decision-making.
• Partner with cross-functional leads (Clinical Monitoring, Data Management, Biometrics, Regulatory, Safety, etc.) to ensure seamless program execution.
• Monitor program performance metrics, financial health, and operational KPIs, proactively identifying areas for improvement.
• Support the development and implementation of project governance structures, communication plans, and operational frameworks.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with sponsor partners, acting as a senior point of contact for program-level discussions.
• Lead or support key client meetings, including governance reviews, strategic planning sessions, and milestone updates.
• Ensure client expectations are understood, managed, and exceeded through proactive communication and high-quality delivery.

Business Development & Growth

• Collaborate with Business Development teams to identify new opportunities within existing accounts and across the broader market.
• Contribute to proposal development, including operational strategy, timelines, budgets, and resourcing plans.
• Participate in bid defenses, presenting operational expertise and demonstrating organizational capabilities to prospective clients.
• Support the creation of thought leadership materials, case studies, and capability presentations.

External Engagement & Industry Representation

• Represent the organization at conferences, scientific meetings, networking events, and industry forums.
• Participate in panel discussions, poster sessions, or speaking engagements as appropriate.
• Build and maintain a strong professional network to enhance the company’s visibility and identify emerging opportunities.
• Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive landscapes, sharing insights internally to inform strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant experience in clinical project management within CRO, biotech, or pharmaceutical environments.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-country clinical programs.
• Strong understanding of ICH-GCP, regulatory requirements, and clinical development processes.
• Proven ability to engage with senior-level clients and represent an organization externally.
• Experience contributing to business development activities, including proposals and bid defenses.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills.

DURATION

Permanent, full-time

SALARY

Competitive salary + superannuation

LOCATION

Fully remote, anywhere in Australia

ABOUT PLANET PHARMA

Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.

Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognized by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.

We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

www.planet-pharma.com

TO APPLY

Please click ‘apply’ or contact Sam Chapple (Associate Director, Recruitment - APAC) at Planet Pharma for more information:

E: schapple@planet-pharma.com

T: : +61 (0) 37 068 9299

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-chapple-42b459131/