Deputy Project Manager

Job description

We are hiring a Deputy Project Manager at Cipla Ltd. based in Mumbai. Location: Vikhroli JD: The Deputy Project Manager (DPM) supports clinical/pharma project execution by assisting in the day-to-day oversight of Contract Research Organizations (CROs) under the direct supervision of a Senior Project Manager (Senior PM). This role is responsible for tracking deliverables, timelines, budgets, and quality metrics across outsourced clinical trial activities, ensuring CRO performance aligns with sponsor expectations, protocols, and regulatory requirements. Key Responsibilities: CRO Oversight & Coordination: • Assist in monitoring CRO performance against contracted scope of work (SOW), timelines, and KPIs. • Track and follow up on CRO deliverables, action items, and open issues • Support preparation and coordination of governance meetings (kick-offs, JOCs, status calls) with CROs. • Help review and reconcile CRO status reports, trial master file (TMF) updates, and site-level trackers. Project Support: • Maintain project timelines, RAID logs (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies), and trackers under Senior PM guidance. • Support budget tracking and vendor invoice reconciliation against SOW/change orders. • Assist in preparing project status updates, dashboards, and meeting minutes. • Escalate risks, delays, or quality concerns to the Senior PM in a timely manner. Compliance & Documentation: • Ensure documentation supports GCP, regulatory, and SOP compliance • Assist with audit/inspection readiness activities related to CRO oversight. • Maintain accurate records of CRO communications, decisions, and approvals. Cross-Functional Collaboration: • Liaise with internal stakeholders (Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Data Management) to relay CRO updates. • Support change control and protocol amendment tracking as it relates to CRO activities. Required Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, or related field. • 2-4 years of experience in pharma/biotech/CRO environment (clinical operations, project coordination). • Basic understanding of clinical trial lifecycle, GCP, and drug development process. • Proficiency in MS Office/ Excel; familiarity with project tracking tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, or CTMS) a plus. • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. • Good written and verbal communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: • Prior exposure to vendor/CRO management or clinical trial coordination. • Familiarity with CTMS, eTMF, or clinical data systems. • Basic knowledge of budget/vendor invoice tracking.