Associate Director, Engineering Projects; Lexington, MA,

About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas.

We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Associate Director (US R&D Operations) will be a key contributor to (1) delivery of the IPG (Investment Portfolio Group) CAPEX program currently in execution and (2) ongoing Operations portfolio leadership. The role will initially be predominantly dedicated to the IPG program (approximately 60–80%), leading PMO and project execution controls (scope, schedule, cost, risk, change control and performance reporting). In parallel (approximately 20–40%), the role will support US R&D Operations as an engineering, project and strategy lead driving operational project planning, prioritization and portfolio execution.

As the IPG program concludes, the role will transition to a primarily Operations-focused remit, owning Operations Engineering and planning strategy while maintaining strong governance and delivery discipline. As a member of the US R&D Facilities Leadership Team, the Associate Director is accountable for capital strategy, operations engineering governance and project oversight ensuring projects progress from concept through approval, execution and close-out while meeting business, regulatory, quality and operational requirements.

This role has direct reporting line to the Head of US R&D Operations and a dotted reporting line to Head of R&D Investments (CAPEX) and will have collaborative and cross-functional relationships/responsibilities with onsite Facilities and Lab Operations, Global R&D IPG, North America and NN Global teams. Works with Facilities team and lab operations teams, EH&S, Workplace Services and operations contract support.

External relationships include those with business partners, AHJ’s and valued vendors.

• Lead PMO and project controls for the IPG CAPEX program, including integrated scope, schedule, cost, risk, change control and performance reporting, supporting the Project Director
• Establish and maintain effective delivery processes (planning cadence, forecasting, issue/risk escalation, corrective actions) to ensure predictable execution
• Coordinate and integrate delivery across design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational readiness to align dependencies, decisions and outcomes
• Drive stakeholder engagement and communications across functions and regions; prepare concise, executive-level updates for governance and steering forums
• Support the Project Director as needed through direct/indirect leadership of CAPEX work streams/projects, including active construction activities
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project management and controls practices, tools and templates
• Provide engineering governance and project leadership for operations-driven initiatives (capital and non-capital) across sites, aligned to operational strategy and long-term infrastructure planning
• Lead early project development: define business needs, develop concepts, perform feasibility/estimate work and build business justification to enable prioritization and approvals
• Partner closely with Operations and the IPG program organization to align priorities, multi-year capital planning and execution strategy, including operational readiness
• Manage strategic relationships with key design and construction partners (architecture, engineering, contractors/construction managers) to support safe, high-quality, compliant delivery
• Provide engineering governance and project leadership for operations-driven initiatives…