Senior Technical Project Manager, Digital IT

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

At Thermo Fisher’s PPD clinical research business, we’re using digital innovation, data science, and AI to reimagine how life-changing therapies reach patients. Our teams combine deep scientific expertise with advanced analytics, automation, and digital platforms to make research smarter, faster, and more connected.

At PPD we know that innovation happens when diverse minds meet. Our Digital Science, Data, and AI professionals collaborate closely with scientists, clinicians, and operational experts to solve real-world challenges in clinical research. Alongside our partnership with Open AI, you can be part of the collaboration that will help to improve the speed and success of drug development, enabling customers to get medicines to patients faster and more cost effectively.

You’ll join a culture that values experimentation, learning, and collaboration — where your ideas can help shape how we deliver life-saving solutions and improve global health outcomes. Whether you’re a data engineer, product manager, software developer, or AI scientist, you’ll find opportunities here to apply your skills to work that truly matters — improving global health outcomes. 

The Senior Technical Project Manager (STPM) within Digital IT (known internally as Sr Staff IT Projects, band 8) leads enterprise-level digital initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, data intelligence, and customer experience. This role offers the chance to influence the design and delivery of next-generation IT systems that support global research and you will play a critical role in realizing Thermo Fisher’s digital transformation vision — enabling innovation at scale across a global network of over 100,000 employees.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for end-to-end program delivery, integrating project management excellence with technical acumen to ensure success across multiple domains — including cloud modernization, cybersecurity, data analytics, application integration, and digital transformation.

The STPM partners closely with senior leadership, technical teams, and business stakeholders to define strategy, prioritize initiatives, and deliver scalable, secure, and compliant IT solutions across Thermo Fisher’s global enterprise.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead and deliver large-scale, multi-year programs that align with Digital IT’s global transformation roadmap.
• Define strategic objectives, success metrics, and business value realization for each initiative.
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Business Relationship Management (BRM) teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Drive portfolio-level governance, ensuring projects meet Thermo Fisher’s compliance, quality, and cybersecurity standards.

Execution Excellence

• Oversee multiple concurrent IT and digital projects — including system modernization, platform migration, and automation.
• Manage cross-functional teams (engineers, developers, architects, analysts, and vendors) to ensure timely, quality delivery.
• Facilitate Agile or hybrid delivery models using Jira, Smartsheet, Planview, and ServiceNow ITBM for execution and reporting.
• Proactively manage RAID logs (Risks, Actions, Issues, Dependencies), escalate roadblocks, and implement mitigation strategies.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure full adherence to IT Quality Management (QMS), GxP, GDPR, HIPAA, and Thermo Fisher’s Data Integrity standards.
• Oversee project validation documentation (e.g., IQ/OQ/PQ, CSV, Change Control) and ensure audit readiness.
• Champion continuous improvement within the PMO — streamlining processes, templates, and delivery frameworks.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between business units, technical teams, and leadership for program communications.
• Partner with external technology vendors and system integrators to drive execution and service excellence.
• Provide clear, concise communication of technical progress, dependencies, and risk to executive audiences.
• Influence cross-functional decision-making through data-driven insights and solution-oriented leadership.

Skills and Competencies:

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of enterprise IT systems, cloud architecture (AWS, Azure), and data integration frameworks.
• Experience delivering solutions across infrastructure, cybersecurity, ERP/CRM platforms, and data analytics.
• Strong command of SDLC, Agile/Scrum, DevOps, and ITIL frameworks. Digital Products and Solutions delivery management
• Familiarity with enterprise-grade platforms such as SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workday, Snowflake, Databricks, and Power BI.

Project & Program Management

• Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar IT programs with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Expertise in program budgeting, forecasting, resourcing, and financial governance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects within complex global environments.
• Advanced proficiency in project portfolio management (PPM) tools (Planview, Jira, Smartsheet, Power BI).

Leadership Skills

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking with an enterprise mindset.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills across global teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead in a matrixed environment.
• Proactive, adaptable, and committed to delivering measurable business outcomes.

Education and Skills:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification.
• Previous IT Project Management or Digital Transformation experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 10 years’ experience) 
• 3 years in a senior project or program management role
• Experience leading projects within regulated industries (life sciences, pharma, healthcare, or manufacturing) strongly preferred.

Certifications highly desirable:

• PMP, PRINCE2, or PMI-ACP
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or SAFe Program Consultant (SPC)
• ITIL Foundation or Cloud Certification (AWS/Azure)
• In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are committed to fostering a healthy and harmonious workplace for our employees. We understand the importance of creating an environment that allows individuals to excel. Please see below for the required qualifications for this position, which also includes the possibility of equivalent experience:

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours. 
• Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities. 
• May require as-needed travel (0-20%). 

Location: Remote US based position. Relocation assistance is NOT provided. 

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
 
*Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes drug screening.
 

The annual salary range estimated for this position in North Carolina is $150,000- $180,000 USD. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.