Associate Director, Project Management in Nederland

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director, Project Management based in Netherlands. Take on a senior leadership role within an international clinical research environment, driving excellence across a diverse portfolio of clinical trials. As Associate Director, you will lead and develop the Project Management function, ensuring high-quality study delivery, effective resource allocation, and strong sponsor relationships. You will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align operational execution with business objectives and support sustainable organizational growth. Through strategic workforce planning, performance management, and process optimization, you will strengthen delivery capabilities and improve operational efficiency. You will also mentor project management professionals, build future leaders, and foster a collaborative, accountable team culture. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced clinical research leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on management and a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. Accountabilities - Strategic Leadership and Operational Planning: Provide leadership and direction for the Project Management function, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, business growth objectives, and long-term operational priorities. Collaborate with senior leadership to develop scalable delivery models, improve workflows, and support workforce planning. - Team Leadership and Talent Development: Lead, coach, and manage Project Managers at different career levels, including PM I, PM II, and Senior PMs. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, career development, and succession planning while fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture. - Workforce Planning and Resource Allocation: Partner with Project Directors to evaluate project scope, complexity, timelines, and budgets, ensuring appropriate staffing and resource distribution.

Identify capability gaps, workload imbalances, training needs, and succession risks, and implement mitigation strategies. - Project Portfolio Oversight: Ensure consistent, high-quality project delivery across the portfolio, meeting sponsor expectations, contractual commitments, timelines, budgets, and applicable quality standards. Promote business continuity, operational consistency, and client satisfaction. - Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Oversee departmental key performance indicators (KPIs), reporting, and performance reviews. Identify opportunities to standardize processes, streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and strengthen project delivery capabilities. - Risk Management and Project Guidance: Serve as a senior advisor on project risks, operational challenges, and mitigation strategies. Mentor Project Managers in proactive planning, stakeholder management, issue resolution, and effective decision-making. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key link between Project Management, Project Directors, senior leadership, and other internal departments. Promote knowledge sharing, consistent practices, and scalable delivery approaches across the organization. - Systems and Technology Adoption: Ensure effective and consistent use of clinical trial management systems, technology platforms, and tools supporting project delivery activities. - Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines, and applicable global regulatory requirements. Support audit and inspection readiness as needed.