Program Manager

This role gives you the opportunity to work in a leading global ophthalmic medical device company, using the latest equipment and tools to develop innovative products helping restore sight to millions of people all over the world. You will participate in the research, design, development, manufacturing and launch of complex surgical equipment and associated medical devices, overseeing multidisciplinary project teams as well as collaborating externally with suppliers, customers, inventors and research groups.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Alongside the Head of R&D (Sophi), deliver the overall strategy for the Sophi NPD program, ensuring continual alignment to business goals and objectives 
•  Manage multiple concurrent projects within a program, providing inspiring leadership to cross-functional teams ensuring seamless project execution to time, cost and quality through the application of best-practice Project Management principles 
• Apply appropriate project management methodologies based on project type, including software, hardware, and integrated initiatives
• Effectively utilise Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches to ensure efficient and successful delivery 
• Prepare and maintain the program and project plans, including key milestones and deliverables, ensuring that dependencies and resourcing needs are accurately defined to inform capacity planning activities
• Through active management of priorities and resources across the Program, deliver the project portfolio with the highest efficiency
• When appropriate, source and manage external contractors and suppliers to support project delivery
• Estimate and maintain program-level budgets
• With a view across multiple projects, develop and execute a communication strategy managing key stakeholder requirements and strategic level reporting
• Report on project progress at relevant Steering Meetings
• Proactively manage program and project risks, recording their identification, quantification and mitigation in the risk register and monitoring them; accordingly, know when to escalate risks to Senior Management
• Develop strong working relationships with key staff across the business, both at Sophi Switzerland and UK Head Office, particularly in Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Production, Ops Engineering, IS, R&D, Commercial and Marketing teams to facilitate collaborative, agile project delivery
• Generate and maintain Design History Files (product development projects only) or equivalent Project Files for each ongoing project including project plans, risk management, verification

What Experience & Skills You Will Need:

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent) qualification in Engineering or relevant technical discipline 
• 5+ years working as a full-time practicing Project Manager
• Experience of managing projects or working within technical complex engineering projects from concept to start of production/product launch
• Competence in Microsoft Project and Project Online Competence in other key Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio and Project)
• Expert knowledge of main project management methodologies (e.g. Prince2, APMP, Agile etc) and current qualification in at least one Practical experience in the application of both Agile and Waterfall methodologies
• Fluency in German & English

Desirable

• Experience managing projects within Medical Device field 
• Experience of people management
• Working knowledge of all applicable regulations and standards (including MDR, ISO 13485)
• 3+ years’ experience working as a Program/Portfolio manager

What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Global appreciation platform to recognise colleagues around the globe
• Fantastic opportunity to work with highly talented teams and individuals and grow with the business
• Being part of an organisation you can be proud to work for changing the lives of millions of people!