Principal Portfolio Project Manager

Avantor is hiring a Principal Portfolio Project Manager to lead a portfolio of complex global programs and capital investments within its Life Sciences business. The role manages strategic prioritization, governance, funding, and execution of CAPEX and business transformation initiatives across manufacturing and corporate functions.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives and capital investments across Engineering, Operations, EHS, PSM, Real Estate, IT, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions
• Evaluate, prioritize, and balance project investments based on strategic alignment, business value, risk, resource availability, and organizational capacity
• Partner with business leaders to develop and maintain multi-year portfolio roadmaps supporting Avantor's strategic objectives
• Facilitate portfolio governance reviews, investment decisions, funding approvals, and executive prioritization discussions
• Identify portfolio-level risks, dependencies, constraints, and opportunities to optimize value delivery
• Develop executive portfolio dashboards and reporting to provide visibility into capital deployment, resource utilization, project performance, and business outcomes
• Ensure portfolio investments align with approved business cases, operational priorities, and enterprise strategy
• Lead and manage multiple concurrent global programs and CAPEX projects across manufacturing and operational domains
• Drive end-to-end project execution from concept through commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational handover
• Ensure programs align with Avantor's strategic objectives, operational priorities, and Life Sciences growth initiatives
• Lead global cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority to achieve program objectives
• Manage projects involving process equipment, assembly systems, manufacturing technologies, automation, and facility infrastructure across global locations
• Lead facility expansions, process improvements, equipment installations, operational efficiency projects, and capital investment programs
• Support projects focused on EHS, PSM, IT, Commercial, Supply Chain, and Real Estate initiatives
• Ensure technical solutions meet quality, compliance, safety, operational, and business requirements
• Manage projects and programs that may exceed $50M in capital investment
• Drive projects through a structured stage-gate process, ensuring appropriate documentation, stakeholder engagement, approvals, and governance at each phase
• Prepare and present business cases, project charters, gate reviews, and investment recommendations to senior leadership
• Support enterprise portfolio governance processes to ensure projects are appropriately prioritized, funded, and aligned with corporate objectives
• Lead executive reviews and provide recommendations regarding project continuation, acceleration, modification, or termination
• Maintain rigorous control of project budgets, forecasts, schedules, risks, and financial performance
• Manage portfolio-level capital planning, forecasting, cash flow projections, and benefit realization tracking
• Ensure projects achieve approved business case objectives and KPI targets
• Develop and manage integrated schedules, proactively identifying and mitigating risks affecting cost and timing
• Optimize allocation of capital and resources across competing initiatives
• Develop, validate, and maintain project business cases and investment justifications
• Establish measurable KPIs and benefit realization targets for each initiative
• Track actual business performance against approved commitments following implementation
• Ensure projects deliver expected productivity, capacity, quality, compliance, cost reduction, and revenue objectives
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, EHS, and IT organizations
• Manage relationships with external contractors, equipment suppliers, engineering firms, consultants, regulatory agencies, and municipalities
• Support procurement activities, vendor selection processes, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management
• Provide direct and indirect leadership to project teams across multiple regions and business functions
• Influence stakeholders and leaders within a highly matrixed organization
• Foster collaboration, accountability, transparency, and execution excellence
• Mentor and coach project managers and team members on project management best practices
• Communicate project, program, and portfolio performance clearly and effectively to executive leadership
• Deliver concise, data-driven reporting on portfolio health, capital deployment, project status, risks, and business outcomes
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and external partners
• Present complex technical and business issues in a manner that supports informed decision-making and organizational alignment
• Drive stakeholder engagement, communication planning, organizational readiness, and adoption activities
• Ensure business operations are prepared to successfully transition into new processes, systems, and facility capabilities
• Support sustainable implementation and realization of expected business benefits
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability
• Independently plan and execute work while addressing complex issues, risks, and deviations
• Analyze ambiguous situations involving operational, financial, technical, and organizational considerations
• Apply strategic thinking and sound judgment to develop scalable solutions
• Make significant recommendations regarding investment priorities, resource allocation, and execution strategies
• Serve as a subject matter expert in portfolio management, capital program execution, project governance, and PMO best practices
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project management methodologies, stage-gate processes, governance frameworks, and portfolio management practices
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and informal training across the PMO organization

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or related discipline
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive project, program, and portfolio management experience, including leadership of global CAPEX projects and strategic business initiatives
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale capital projects and cross-functional business programs
• PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI), or willingness to obtain within a defined timeframe
• Proven experience managing portfolios of strategic initiatives and capital investments
• Strong understanding of portfolio governance, prioritization methodologies, capital planning, and resource optimization
• Ability to balance competing priorities and recommend investments that maximize organizational value
• Experience providing executive portfolio reporting and facilitating investment decisions
• Strong understanding of business strategy, operations, financial planning, and organizational goals
• Ability to translate complex business challenges into executable solutions
• Capable of evaluating long-term implications of investment decisions
• Extensive knowledge of project management principles and lifecycle methodologies
• Proven ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk across global programs
• Strong record of delivering large-scale, multi-site CAPEX initiatives
• Ability to lead multiple projects and programs simultaneously
• Skilled at influencing leaders and teams without direct authority
• Trusted advisor to senior stakeholders
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation and facilitation capabilities
• Ability to communicate effectively with executives, business leaders, and technical teams
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills
• Experience working with contractors, vendors, engineering firms, regulators, and municipalities
• Ability to develop productive partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups
• Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), Project Management, or related discipline
• Experience in Life Sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, specialty chemicals, or similarly regulated industries