(Senior) Director, Project Delivery

About Emerald Clinical Trials

Emerald Clinical Trials is an international, full-service contract research organization (CRO) with long-standing roots in the Asia-Pacific region. The company supports biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic clients across every stage of clinical development, from registration studies through post-marketing work, combining scientific depth with strong operational execution.

The organization focuses on renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology research, with an emphasis on building local trust, working closely with communities, and enrolling diverse patient populations to improve data quality and speed up trial outcomes.

Role summary

The (Senior) Director of Project Delivery is a senior leadership position responsible for leading, developing, and overseeing the Project Management function at Emerald Clinical. The role covers Project Directors, Project Managers, and Project Specialists, with accountability for team performance, planning, project delivery, continuous improvement, and client relationships.

This leader will help ensure clinical studies are delivered successfully through strong people management, efficient operations, and practical process improvement. The role also includes coaching and mentoring the team, supporting compliance with relevant standards and regulations, and contributing to business development activities such as proposals, bid defences, and client presentations.

When business needs require it, the Senior Director may also step into a billable Project Director capacity for selected projects, especially during periods of high demand, staffing constraints, or strategically important assignments. In that capacity, the role carries end-to-end responsibility for delivery, client communication, financial performance, and project leadership.

Team leadership and people management

• Build and guide a high-performing project management team focused on early-phase studies.
• Hire, onboard, coach, and retain capable project management professionals.
• Support performance management and career growth through ongoing feedback, reviews, and development planning.
• Keep individual learning and development plans current for all direct reports.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that reflects Emerald Clinical’s values.
• Distribute staff and other resources according to project demands, employee growth needs, and business priorities.
• Track and report on team workload, delivery metrics, and development objectives.

Project oversight and delivery

• Oversee early-phase project delivery so that quality, budget, timelines, and compliance expectations are consistently achieved.
• Support the move from contract award into delivery, including project initiation and handover to operational teams.
• Help project teams work through delivery issues and barriers.
• Ensure internal and external resources are assigned effectively to improve efficiency and delivery outcomes.
• Act as an escalation point and provide senior direction for complex or high-risk projects.
• When needed, take on the Project Director role for selected early-phase projects, with full responsibility for delivery, sponsor engagement, financial control, and cross-functional coordination.

Project director accountabilities

• Lead the operational execution of assigned projects from start to finish.
• Serve as the primary client contact and escalation route.
• Manage project finances, operations, and schedules across the study lifecycle.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and maintain sponsor communications.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation actions.
• Ensure work follows applicable SOPs, GCP requirements, and regulatory obligations.

Client engagement and escalation handling

• Act as a senior contact for clients across the early-phase portfolio.
• Handle escalations in a way that protects client satisfaction and resolves issues quickly.
• Join governance meetings, operational reviews, and executive steering committees when required.
• Develop strong client relationships that support trust, collaboration, and repeat business.

Business development support

• Partner with the Business Development team on RFPs, budget estimates, proposals, and bid defences.
• Contribute to strategic planning for new work, resource planning, and delivery models.
• Represent Emerald Clinical in discussions with prospective clients as a project delivery subject matter expert.

Process improvement and operational excellence

• Lead or contribute to initiatives that improve efficiency and operating performance.
• Help design, standardize, and roll out best practices, SOPs, templates, and tools.
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Promote consistent use of project management methods across the early-phase portfolio.

Quality, compliance, and risk management

• Ensure the team follows ICH-GCP, regulatory requirements, Emerald Clinical SOPs, and client-specific procedures.
• Work with Clinical Operations and Quality teams to close out audit findings.
• Support risk management and maintain a proactive approach to quality and compliance.
• Keep delivery activities audit-ready at all times.

Financial oversight and reporting

• Support department-level financial planning and budgeting.
• Work with Project Directors and Project Managers to manage financials, track scope changes, and protect profitability.
• Review forecasts, revenue, margins, and utilization on a regular basis.
• Escalate financial risks or deviations accurately and without delay.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field, along with at least 10 years of clinical research experience and substantial exposure to clinical trials.

Direct experience in renal or oncology studies is required, and the candidate must be able to demonstrate relevant therapeutic knowledge. The role also requires at least 5 years of experience in a senior project management or line management position within a CRO or sponsor organization.

Success in this role depends on the ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams, communicate clearly, solve problems effectively, and work confidently with stakeholders. Strong financial understanding, experience with budgeting and forecasting, and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and clinical trial management systems (CTMS) are also essential.

Why this role may appeal to you

This position offers the chance to contribute to meaningful clinical research that can improve health outcomes for millions of people. You will work within a global organization that values local insight, collaboration, and innovative thinking.

Emerald Clinical offers a competitive salary and benefits package, flexible hybrid or remote working depending on location and role, ongoing learning opportunities, access to global scientific leaders, wellbeing initiatives, recognition programs, team-building activities, and international exposure through a broad client and project base.

Equal opportunity statement

Emerald Clinical welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates and is committed to fair and inclusive hiring.