Senior Program Manager – IT/OT Smart Manufacturing (Life Sciences)

Role Overview (Direct; High-Impact)
We are looking for a battle-tested Senior Program Manager to take ownership of a complex Smart Manufacturing transformation at a live life sciences manufacturing facility.
This is not a coordination role. This is a program leadership role requiring authority, executive presence, and deep experience managing large-scale IT/OT convergence programs in regulated environments.
You will drive alignment across multiple mission-critical workstreams:
 Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
 Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
 Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
 Data Historians & Plant Data Platforms
 OT / Industrial Connectivity & Infrastructure
 Cyber-Physical / Industrial Security
Success in this role requires someone who has already led multi-workstream digital factory or smart plant programs, understands cross-system dependencies, and can operate confidently with site leadership and enterprise executives.

What You Will Be Accountable For
Program Control & Governance
 Establish program governance, reporting structures, and decision frameworks
 Own the Integrated Master Schedule across IT and OT initiatives
 Drive execution discipline and delivery predictability
Leadership Across Workstreams
 Direct and challenge multiple technical Project Managers
 Resolve cross-project conflicts, priority collisions, and resourcing constraints
 Enforce delivery consistency and accountability
Dependency & Critical Path Management
 Identify and manage high-risk interdependencies between systems, infrastructure, validation, and deployment
 Prevent downstream delays caused by sequencing failures
Enterprise-Level Risk Management
 Own the Program Risk Register
 Anticipate systemic risks affecting compliance, validation, production, or architecture
 Lead mitigation strategies before issues escalate
Executive Stakeholder Engagement
 Interface with Site Leadership and Enterprise Central Teams
 Translate technical progress into operational, financial, and compliance impact
 Lead steering committee discussions and escalations
Financial & Resource Stewardship
 Manage program-level CAPEX / OPEX
 Drive forecast accuracy and resource optimization
 Control budget leakage and scope drift
Architectural & Blueprint Adherence
 Prevent site-level deviations from enterprise digital plant strategy
 Ensure alignment with global standards and platforms

Required Experience; Qualifications
Candidates will only be considered if they meet ALL of the following:
 10+ years in Life Sciences / Pharma / Regulated Manufacturing
 5+ years in Program Management (not just Project Management)
 Demonstrated leadership of multi-workstream IT/OT programs
 Experience delivering initiatives involving MES, LIMS, EBR, or plant systems
 Experience operating in GxP / validated environments
 Proven ownership of program budgets, risks, and executive reporting
 Experience managing cross-functional technical teams (IT, OT, Engineering, Vendors)
 Comfortable working on-site at a manufacturing facility
Strongly Preferred
 PgMP / PMP or equivalent program leadership certification
 Experience in Smart Factory / Digital Plant / Industry 4.0 programs
 Exposure to OT networks, industrial data platforms, or plant cybersecurity

Who Will NOT Be a Fit
Career Project Managers without program-level ownership
Candidates lacking regulated / GxP manufacturing exposure
Candidates with only IT transformation experience (no plant / OT context)
Pure coordinators or reporting-focused profiles

Contract Details
This is a full-time, contractual hire for 6–12 months for US-based candidates only, reporting to a senior leader in the enterprise’s Central Team.

Disclaimer:  i-Link Solutions Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We especially invite women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. EEO/AA/M/F/Vet/Disability.