Deputy Project Management Lead

Our client is actively seeking an experienced Deputy Project Management Lead to join their team out of Richmond, VA! This individual will support the Project Management Lead in managing day-to-day program execution and serve as the primary integrator across all PMC work streams. This individual is accountable for coordinating activities between engineering, project controls, procurement, construction, CQV, and permitting teams. This role plays a pivotal part in delegating authority over execution activities, enforce governance requirements, resolve cross-functional issues, and escalate project risks impacting cost, schedule, quality, safety or operational readiness. This is a full-time, long-term opportunity with a well known global company offering competitive pay, health insurance (medical, vision, dental), 401K, per diems/allowances, and more! 

Deputy Project Management Lead
 

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Duration: Long term need
• Assignment conditions will be provided
• Mobilizing should be expected by Mid Oct/November

Company Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.  
Our client is seeking an experienced Deputy Project Management Lead to support the Project Management Lead in managing day-to-day program execution and serve as the primary integrator across all PMC workstreams. This role is accountable to the project management lead for coordinating activities between engineering, project controls, procurement, construction, CQV, and permitting teams.  The Deputy PM Lead acts with delegated authority from the Project Management Lead to coordinate project execution activities, enforce governance requirements, resolve cross-functional issues, and escalate project risks impacting cost, schedule, quality, safety, or operational readiness. The Deputy Project Management Lead also provides continuity of leadership and acts on behalf of the Project Management Lead when required. 

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:  

• Assist the Project Manager in leading all phases of project delivery, ensuring achievement of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives. 

• Coordinate and oversee multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and commercial personnel, to ensure integrated project execution. 

• Monitor project schedules, critical path activities, milestones, and performance metrics, identifying potential delays and implementing corrective actions to maintain delivery targets. 

• Manage day-to-day interfaces with clients, contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities, facilitating effective communication and timely resolution of issues. 

• Lead project risk management activities, including identification, assessment, mitigation planning, and tracking of risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle. 

• Support contract administration and commercial management functions, including change management, variation reviews, claims assessment, cost control, and budget monitoring. 

• Coordinate execution activities required to support commissioning, qualification, regulatory readiness, operational readiness, startup, and facility handover. 

• Ensure integration of key GMP, validation, licensure, inspection, and operational readiness milestones into project execution planning and reporting. 

• Establish and oversee project interface management processes to govern interactions between contractors, suppliers, client organizations, regulatory bodies, and operational teams. 

• Monitor and assess contractor performance against approved scope, schedule, quality, safety, and staffing commitments. 

• Prepare and present project status reports, dashboards, forecasts, and executive summaries to project leadership and client stakeholders. 

• Ensure compliance with project governance requirements, company procedures, quality management systems, contractual obligations, and applicable regulatory standards. 

• Drive interface management and cross-functional coordination between project stakeholders, contractors, vendors, and operational teams to ensure successful project execution and achievement of key project milestones. 

• Monitors performance; and ensures consistent implementation of project objectives and governance requirements. 

• Coordinates activities between the interface management, project management office, readiness & Operations, Commercial, and Governance leads.   

• Ensures coordination between the project execution leadership and the Project engineering, project controls, procurement, construction, Health and Safety, CQV, Validation & compliance, Automation program, and Permit & Communication workstreams.   

 
Required Education, Experience, & Skills:  

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Architecture, Engineering Management, or related technical discipline. 

• Minimum 15 years of project/program management experience including leadership of large capital projects in excess of $500,000 TIC. 

• Minimum 10 years of project/program experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, vaccine, sterile manufacturing, API, or advanced therapy facilities.   

• Experience successfully managing large multidisciplinary teams and contractors. 

• Strong knowledge of communications, governance, design management, and project delivery processes. 

• Demonstrated ability to support executive decision-making and manage stakeholder alignment. 

 
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills:  

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other GMP-regulated facilities. 

• Prior experience in an Owner’s Representative or PMC role for major capital projects in excess of $1B TIC. 

• Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or PMP certification. 

• Experience supporting multi-discipline, multiple party, integrated teams located in multiple locations simultaneously.   

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.