(Senior) Director, Project Delivery

Company Overview

Emerald Clinical Trials is an international, end-to-end Contract Research Organization (CRO) with strong roots in the Asia-Pacific region. The company supports biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic clients across every stage of the trial journey, from registration through post-marketing, with a focus on scientific depth and strong operational execution.

Its therapeutic focus includes renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology studies, with an emphasis on meaningful health outcomes worldwide. A mix of global reach and local insight helps the organization work closely with communities, strengthen trust, support representative patient recruitment, and generate faster, more reliable results.

Role Summary

The (Senior) Director of Project Delivery is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the Project Management function at Emerald Clinical. The role covers leadership of Project Directors, Project Managers, and Project Specialists, along with team development, workforce planning, project governance, process enhancement, and client relationship management.

This position is accountable for ensuring clinical projects are delivered successfully through strong people leadership, efficient operations, and ongoing improvement. The role also includes coaching and mentoring team members, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and quality standards, and contributing to growth activities such as proposals, bid defences, and client-facing presentations.

When business needs require it, the Director may also step into a billable Project Director capacity, especially during heavy workload periods, resource constraints, high-demand situations, or strategically important assignments. In that case, the role carries full responsibility for project oversight, client engagement, financial performance, and team leadership on the assigned studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to a high-performing early phase project management team.
• Hire, onboard, coach, and retain project management talent.
• Run performance and development processes through regular feedback, reviews, and defined career paths.
• Keep training and development plans current for direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive culture aligned with Emerald Clinical values.
• Allocate people and resources based on project requirements, team growth, and business priorities.
• Track and report team performance, workload distribution, and development objectives.
• Oversee delivery across the early phase portfolio to ensure quality, budget, timeline, and compliance expectations are met.
• Support the transition from award to execution by ensuring smooth initiation and handover into operations.
• Help project teams identify delivery issues and resolve blockers.
• Ensure internal and external resources are assigned effectively to drive efficiency and successful outcomes.
• Act as an escalation point and provide strategic oversight for complex or high-risk work.
• Where needed, serve as Project Director for selected early phase projects with full accountability for delivery, sponsor communication, finances, and cross-functional coordination.
• Lead assigned projects through their full operational lifecycle.
• Act as primary client contact and escalation owner.
• Manage project finances, operations, and timelines effectively across studies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and maintain sponsor communications.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, GCP requirements, and all relevant regulations.
• Serve as a senior client contact across the early phase portfolio.
• Handle escalations promptly to protect client satisfaction and resolve issues.
• Take part in governance meetings, operational reviews, and executive steering committees as needed.
• Build trusted client relationships that support long-term collaboration and repeat business.
• Partner with Business Development to support RFPs, budget estimates, proposals, and bid defences.
• Assist with strategic planning for new projects, resourcing, and delivery approaches.
• Represent Emerald Clinical in meetings with prospective clients as a project delivery subject matter expert.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional efforts that improve operational performance and efficiency.
• Help develop, standardize, and roll out best-practice SOPs, templates, and tools.
• Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability across the team.
• Promote consistent use of project management methods throughout the early phase portfolio.
• Ensure the team follows ICH-GCP, regulatory obligations, company SOPs, and client procedures.
• Work with Clinical Operations and Quality teams to address audit findings and close them out.
• Support risk management and encourage proactive quality and compliance practices.
• Keep project delivery activities audit-ready.
• Contribute to department-level financial planning and budget control.
• Work with Project Directors and Project Managers to manage budgets, scope changes, and profitability.
• Review forecasts, revenue, margins, and utilisation on a regular basis.
• Escalate financial risks or deviations in a timely and accurate manner.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification in life sciences, healthcare, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of clinical research experience, including substantial exposure to clinical trials.
• Direct experience in Renal or Oncology studies, with the ability to demonstrate relevant therapeutic knowledge.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior project management or line management role within a CRO or sponsor environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and grow cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial understanding, including project budgeting and forecasting.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and clinical trial management systems (CTMS).

Why This Role Stands Out

This opportunity offers the chance to help shape clinical research that improves lives, with work focused on renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology therapies. You will join a culture that values collaboration, innovation, local insight, and strong engagement with communities and clients.

What the Company Offers

• A compensation and benefits package tailored to your background and experience.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid or remote options depending on location and role needs.
• Access to learning opportunities and a global network of scientific leaders for professional development.
• Wellbeing initiatives that support work-life balance, health, connection, recognition, and team building.
• Exposure to international projects and clients through a global organization.

Equal Opportunity

Emerald Clinical welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and maintains an equal opportunity hiring approach.