At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate drug discovery projects, ensuring successful delivery and client satisfaction.
- Company: Join Pharmaron, a leader in integrated drug discovery with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to work on innovative drug programmes.
- Other info: Flexible working hours to accommodate global stakeholders and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while collaborating with top scientific teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in Bioscience or related field, with project management experience in pharmaceuticals.
The predicted salary is between 61200 - 74800 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Portfolio Operations Lead to join our Integrated Drug Discovery team at our Hoddesdon site. The Integrated Drug Discovery (IDD) Services group at Pharmaron is responsible for leading and delivering drug discovery projects for our client partners. The team comprises scientific expertise and strategic leadership across medicinal chemistry, CADD, biology, DMPK and translational science. Combined with Pharmaron’s global research capabilities we design and deliver integrated programmes from target identification and hit finding through to IND filing. Working closely with our partners we define strategy, coordinate execution across teams and with an AI enabled Design–Make–Test–Analyse cycle support the progression of projects and innovative medicines towards the clinic.
This is a highly collaborative role at the centre of our drug discovery portfolio, connecting scientific teams with clients, Business Development, Finance and operational stakeholders. You will provide the coordination, commercial oversight and portfolio visibility needed to support the successful delivery of complex, multidisciplinary drug discovery programmes. Alongside managing pipeline and portfolio information, you will support proposal development, financial forecasting, client governance and project logistics. You will also help ensure that programmes remain aligned with agreed timelines, budgets and client expectations.
This opportunity would suit someone who combines a strong understanding of drug discovery with excellent project management, stakeholder engagement and organisational skills.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing revenue forecasts, invoicing schedules and financial tracking across the Integrated Drug Discovery portfolio.
- Working with Finance and operational teams to provide accurate monthly portfolio and financial reporting.
- Maintaining oversight of pipeline opportunities in partnership with IDD leadership, Business Development and Sales.
- Coordinating client proposal responses and ensuring high-quality submissions are delivered on time.
- Working with technical teams to develop realistic project timelines, resource profiles and delivery plans.
- Organising and chairing meetings involving IDD leadership, scientific teams, Business Development and commercial stakeholders.
- Acting as a key administrative and operational contact for clients, supporting effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Coordinating project activities across global technical teams, Finance and Business Development.
- Supporting joint steering committee and client governance meetings, including managing actions, decisions and key performance indicators.
- Identifying project risks and working with colleagues to implement appropriate mitigations and contingency plans.
- Creating and maintaining portfolio dashboards, pipeline charts and performance metrics.
- Identifying opportunities to improve portfolio processes, reporting and operational efficiency.
You will bring:
- A degree or equivalent qualification in Bioscience, Pharmaceutical Science or a related scientific discipline.
- At least five years’ industry experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, contract research or closely related organisation.
- Previous project or portfolio management experience within a scientific or pharmaceutical environment.
- Experience of the drug discovery process, ideally from hit identification through to IND filing.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary scientific teams.
- Experience managing external client relationships and expectations.
- Strong cross-functional project management capabilities.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
- Strong planning, organisational and time-management abilities.
- The confidence to influence stakeholders and bring different functions together around shared priorities.
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
A recognised project management qualification, such as PMP, PRINCE2 or an equivalent certification, would be advantageous. Direct experience of working within pre-candidate selection drug discovery teams would also be beneficial.
About You
You will be a proactive, organised and solutions-focused professional who is comfortable working across scientific, operational and commercial teams. You will be able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. You will also bring a collaborative and customer-focused approach, sound judgement and the confidence to escalate issues or seek specialist input when required. As the role supports global programmes and stakeholders, some flexibility may occasionally be required to accommodate meetings across different international time zones.
Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a visible and influential role within an integrated drug discovery environment. You will work alongside experienced scientific and commercial colleagues, support relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, and contribute to programmes focused on advancing new medicines.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Support a diverse portfolio of innovative drug discovery programmes.
- Work with multidisciplinary scientific teams and global stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.
- Influence portfolio processes, reporting and operational improvements.
- Develop your career within a collaborative, science-led global organisation.
If you have a strong understanding of drug discovery, proven project or portfolio management experience and the ability to build effective relationships across scientific, commercial and client teams, we would be pleased to hear from you. Apply today to join our Integrated Drug Discovery team and help support the successful delivery of innovative drug discovery programmes.
Portfolio Operations Lead in Hoddesdon employer: Pharmaron
Pharmaron is an exceptional employer located in Hoddesdon, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation in drug discovery. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to enhance their skills and advance their careers while contributing to impactful projects in bioanalysis and biotransformation. The company's commitment to high-quality data generation and a supportive culture makes it an ideal place for passionate scientists to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Operations Lead in Hoddesdon
✨Get Involved in Research Communities
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✨Utilise Professional Networks
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We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Operations Lead in Hoddesdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Research Experience:When applying for a full-time role in scientific research, make sure to emphasise your research experience prominently in your CV. Share specific projects you’ve worked on, the methodologies you used, and any significant findings. If you’ve published papers or presented at conferences, definitely include that too – it shows you’re on it in the academic world!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Research Area:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the specific area of research at Pharmaron. Mention relevant experiences that align with the organisation’s goals or projects. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position – plus, it helps us see how you’d fit into the team dynamics.
Showcase Your Data Analysis Skills:In scientific research, data analysis skills are a big deal! Make sure to detail any relevant analytical tools or software you’re familiar with, like R, Python, or statistical packages. Employers are keen to know you can handle the data-heavy elements of the role, so add specific examples where you’ve used these skills effectively.
Discuss Your Future Research Goals:In your motivation section, it’s a great idea to talk about your future research goals and how they align with the work being done at Pharmaron. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but rather a chance to contribute meaningfully to the field. We love to see applicants who are forward-thinking and enthusiastic about their research journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pharmaron
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In scientific research, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to design and conduct experiments. Come armed with examples of past projects where you've developed hypotheses, collected data, and analysed results. Be ready to discuss any specific methodologies or tools you’ve used, like PCR techniques or statistical software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions specific to your field. Make sure you're up to speed with recent advancements in scientific research related to the role at Pharmaron. Brush up on concepts relevant to their projects and be prepared to discuss how you would approach a specific research problem or challenge they might face.
✨Know Your Publications
If you've authored or co-authored any papers, be prepared to discuss them! Highlighting your contributions to published research can really set you apart. It shows not only your expertise but also your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, which is key in scientific research roles.
✨Exhibit Your Team Spirit
In full-time roles, collaboration is often at the heart of scientific research. Prepare examples that show how you've successfully worked in teams, dealt with conflicts, or contributed to group projects. We want to know how you can work effectively with the team at Pharmaron to drive research projects forward.
