Director, Project Initiation Lead at Lonza Biologics Inc. in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Job Description:

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is dedicated people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

As the Director, Project Initiation at Lonza, you will have the outstanding opportunity to lead high-reaching capital investment projects that contribute to our extraordinary scientific solutions. This role is pivotal in ensuring flawless execution and outstanding results while encouraging an inclusive and collaborative environment. This remote position requires significant travel, and also offers a balance of professional challenges and personal fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and lead the delivery of capital investment projects across the Lonza network from initiation through to beneficial use.


• Retain strict control of project costs, risks, schedule, and deliverables.


• Collaborate with sponsors from business units, SMEs, operations, and other partners throughout the project lifecycle.


• Lead multi-functional teams across businesses and sites, serving as the single point of contact for Project Initiation activities within the Global Engineering team.


• Ensure project teams are resourced and set up to deliver the Global Engineering Front end initiation process.


• Address critical issues and implement appropriate mitigations for risks affecting project delivery.


• Screen incoming business ideas/requests at the conceptualization stage and develop an appropriate project execution strategy.


• Set project budgets, schedule baselines, and appropriate project control strategies, including the management of scope changes to successfully execute project objectives.


• Provide leadership as part of the Global Engineering Front End core team and run collaborations with Project Sponsors, Lonza partners, Global multi-functional teams, and Customers.


• Coordinate all aspects of several Lonza and 3rd party contractor subject area leads.

Key Requirements:

• Degree in Engineering (process, pharmaceutical, biochemical engineering or equivalent experience) or a consistent track record of effectively running multiple international CAPEX projects.


• 10+ years of engineering experience or project management on large capital projects (200MM) in chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical industries.


• Expertise in GMP facility setup and layout, site/facility/process and utility functionality, and knowledge of current technology in building and automation.


• Proficient in English.


• Extensive experience in Biotechnology-/ Pharma-Processes.


• Proficiency in Engineering Design, Commissioning & Qualification, and Process Modelling systems (Superpro).


• Familiarity with Pharmaceutical Industry standards, Quality requirements, and FDA Regulations including GAMP.


• Excellent problem-solving and Project Management skills.


• Skilled in MS Project, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Office.


• Open to international business travel (approx 20%).

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.