Associate Director, Program Management Leader (Clinical Research)

Location: Hybrid role in Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium; up to 20% domestic and international travel required.

Base pay: €96,000–€165,025 annually, plus an annual bonus and location-dependent benefits.

Company

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine develops medicines and healthcare solutions across the spectrum from research to patient care.

What you will do

• Translate Compound Development Team strategy into Compound Development Plans and operational execution plans.
• Lead the Program Management Team and coordinate project managers across functional areas.
• Define and monitor program scope, timelines, budgets, resources, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Guide cross-functional teams through the pharmaceutical and clinical development process and governance reviews.
• Maintain risk-management registers, manage changes, and drive issue resolution.
• Build a trusted, high-performing team environment with clear accountabilities, decision rights, and communication pathways.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in life sciences; an advanced degree is preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, CRO, or related healthcare industry.
• Experience with pharmaceutical development, clinical research operations, and R&D project management.
• Knowledge of project management systems, methodologies, tools, and clinical trial execution.
• Strong communication, presentation, interpersonal, leadership, analytical, decision-making, and financial management skills.
• Ability to lead without authority in multifunctional and global matrix environments.

Nice to have

• Project Management certification such as PMP or CPM.
• Experience across Phase I–IV studies.
• Oncology therapeutic-area experience.
• Mentoring and coaching experience.
• Experience in early therapeutic area leadership, disease or pathway area strategy, or licensing and acquisitions program management.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive work environment focused on individual contribution, diversity, and dignity.
• Vacation days, parental leave of at least 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, and volunteer leave.
• Well-being reimbursement and financial, physical, and mental health programs.
• Service anniversary and recognition awards.
• Eligibility for insurance plans and an annual performance-based bonus, subject to local terms.