Role: Head of Global Pharmaceutical Project ManagementBase Location: Barcelona, Spain / Athens, Greece / Lisbon, PortugalOn site Requirement: 3 days per weekEmployment Type: Full timeOur client is one of Europe's fastest growing B2B pharmaceutical businesses, operating across more than 130 countries through a network of over 140 commercial partners.
The organisation combines global reach with a lean, execution focused operating model where decisions move quickly and accountability sits clearly with leadership.The business specialises in complex generics, specialty medicines, injectables, and selected biosimilars, built on strategic product licensing, CDMO and CMO collaborations, and multi region commercial agreements.
Success depends on disciplined global coordination across external manufacturing partners, regulatory authorities, and commercial distributors.The Head of Project Management will lead the global project management function from Barcelona.
This role will define governance frameworks, portfolio oversight standards, and execution discipline across development and lifecycle programmes.
It will provide strategic leadership to project managers while acting as the central integration point between R&D, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Business Development, and Commercial functions.Primary Responsibilities• Lead and develop the global Project Management function, building structure, accountability, and performance standards.
• Oversee the end-to-end portfolio across development, registration, and commercialisation programmes.
• Define and implement project governance frameworks, stage-gate processes, and reporting standards aligned with executive leadership.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment across Supply Chain, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Technical Services, Quality, Finance, Portfolio and Business Development.
• Drive proactive risk management, removing barriers and ensuring milestones are met on time and within scope and budget.
• Oversee complex development programmes including reference drug sourcing, regulatory strategy coordination, and manufacturing readiness.
• Establish project baselines, financial oversight routines, and portfolio prioritisation mechanisms.
• Lead budget management, including 5-year planning cycles and 3+9, 6+6 and 9+3 forecasting.
• Present portfolio status, risks, and mitigation strategies to executive stakeholders and governance boards.
• Support business case evaluation including competitive landscape, regulatory pathway, IP considerations, and lifecycle opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with CDMOs, CMOs, CPOs, and strategic external partners across multiple geographies.
• Drive continuous improvement of project management systems, tools, and performance metrics.
• Mentor and develop project managers, building a high-performance PM culture within the organisation.Qualifications & Requirements• MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent scientific discipline.
MBA is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical project management, including leadership of complex development programmes through highly regulated registration and successful launch.
• Proven experience operating at senior leadership level, with oversight of multiple concurrent development programmes.
• Strong understanding of generic drug development including 505(b)(2), complex generics, and global regulatory pathways (ICH, ANVISA, USFDA, EMA).
• Strong understanding of GMP, GCP, GLP frameworks and regulatory submission processes including eCTD modules and filings across EU, US, Canada, PMDA, LATAM and other regions.
• Demonstrated experience in financial oversight including CAPEX, development budgets, and multi-year forecasting.
• Experience implementing structured governance frameworks and project portfolio management systems.
• Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment.
• Comfortable working in a high-growth, agile setting with evolving priorities and ambitious timelines.This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who wants to shape how projects are delivered globally within a fast-growing pharmaceutical business, while building and maturing a high-impact project management function from Barcelona.