CLINICAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT HEAD

About us Based in Parma, Italy, Chiesi is an international research-focused pharmaceutical and healthcare group with 90 years’ experience, operating in 31 countries with more than employees (Chiesi Group).
To achieve its mission of improving people’s quality of life by acting responsibly towards society and the environment, the Group researches, develops and markets innovative drugs in its main therapeutic areas.
Discover more here We are proud to be the largest global pharmaceutical group to be awarded B Corp Certification, a recognition of high social and environmental standards.
We are a reliable company that adopts and promotes a transparent and ethical behavior at all levels.
We believe that the success of Chiesi is built and shaped by our people and our strong set of shared Values and Behaviors.
Our people make a critical difference to our success, which is why it is vital that we attract and retain the right talent who will continue to enrich our culture by living and breathing our values and behaviors.
In fact, we are a global family made up of different cultures, different genders, generations, ethnicities, abilities, sexual identities and many other enriching diversities.
Chiesi Research & Development Our R&D team represents a fundamental asset for the business.
It is divided into integrated functional areas focusing on pipeline projects including discovery and preclinical research, global technical development, drug delivery technology, clinical development, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, intellectual property, quality assurance, R&D project and portfolio management.
Headquartered in the new purpose-built and fully integrated Research and Development Centre in Parma (Italy), the team also has important operations in Paris (France), Chippenham (UK), Cary (US), Stockholm (Sweden), Toronto (Canada) and Shanghai (China).
Who we are looking for Purpose The Clinical Project Management Head is a senior leadership role within the Clinical Operations function, responsible for the line management and professional development of a team of Clinical Project Managers (CPMs) who lead the execution of clinical trials across all development phases.
This position ensures the effective allocation of resources, fosters talent development, and drives consistent project delivery in alignment with organizational goals.
Main Responsibilities LINE MANAGEMENT & PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT    Provide direct line management to a team of Clinical Project Managers, ensuring clarity of roles, performance expectations, and ongoing feedback.
Conduct regular 1.
meetings, performance appraisals, and career development discussions.
Develop and implement individual development plans (IDPs) and training strategies to support professional growth and long-term retention.
Mentor and coach CPMs to enhance leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Proactively identify and manage talent gaps, succession planning, and team capabilities.
RESOURCE PLANNING & PROJECT ALLOCATION    Oversee the allocation of CPMs to clinical trials based on competencies, experience, workload, and project complexity.
Ensure optimal resourcing across projects by monitoring workload balance and adjusting assignments as needed.
Collaborate with Clinical Operations Leaders to anticipate future needs and align capacity with pipeline priorities.
Act as an escalation point for resource conflicts and contribute to resolution strategies.
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & FUNCTIONAL LEADERSHIP    Drive consistent, high-quality execution of clinical trials through strong leadership and oversight of project managers.
Promote best practices in project planning, risk management, vendor oversight, and cross-functional coordination.
Ensure CPMs maintain compliance with internal SOPs, GCP, and regulatory standards.
Develop and refine functional tools, KPIs, templates, and guidance documents for project management activities.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION & STRATEGY    Represent the CPM function in cross-functional project teams and governance meetings.
Contribute to operational strategy, portfolio planning, and functional budget discussions.
CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT    Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and empowering team culture.
Promote a mindset of accountability, continuous improvement, and shared success.
Lead initiatives that support engagement, well-being, and recognition within the team.
Experience Required At least 8–10 years of experience in clinical research, including substantial experience in clinical project management and people leadership.
Proven experience in line management of clinical professionals, including performance management, coaching, and resource planning.
Education Advanced degree in Life Sciences (PhD, MD, PharmD, or equivalent) preferred; Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with relevant experience considered.
Languages Fluency in english Technical Skills Excellent knowledge of the clinical development settings.
Excellent project management capabilities with demonstrated capability to problem solve and mediate complex issues.
Understands financial procedures, budget management.
Proven experience in line management of clinical professionals, including performance management, coaching, and resource planning.
Strong knowledge of ICH-GCP, clinical trial lifecycle, regulatory requirements, and CRO/vendor management.
Strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to lead in a matrixed, global environment.
What we offer You would join a dynamic, fast-growing, challenging and friendly environment.
In Chiesi we firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, that is why we invest in continuous training, learning and development.
Therefore, we strive to continuously promote and satisfy development needs, paying particular attention to the quality of our working environment and to collective well-being.
We want our people to come to work happy every day, and we know how important it is to find the right work-life balance in order to be able to give our best.
That is why we offer flexible working approach, remote working, support in the relocation process, tax assistance service for foreign colleagues and many other people-care services.