R&D Project Manager
No salary listed
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's, Master's
Indianapolis, IN, USA
HybridHybrid work environment; travel up to 10% annually.
Project & Program ManagementProject Management
About the job
Requirements
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a scientific or related field and 8–10 years of relevant experience in project management or a related scientific role.
- A deep understanding of the veterinary drug development process and the interdependencies of tasks requiring coordination among global teams, functional groups, and third parties.
- Demonstrated experience with regulatory submission processes and requirements, and a strong grasp of Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, and Good Manufacturing Practice quality principles.
- Mastery of project management fundamentals and processes defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
- Technical proficiency with project management software, the Microsoft Office Suite, and emerging artificial intelligence platforms.
- Ability to influence without direct authority and guide global, cross-functional teams through complex and ambiguous situations.
- Interpersonal and team-building skills, with the ability to develop effective teams with diverse interpersonal styles and deliver coaching and feedback.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to anticipate and recognize systemic problems, diagnose root causes, and take corrective action to prevent recurrence.
- Ability to demonstrate flexibility and adjust effectively to frequent change and altered priorities.
Responsibilities
- Act as a strategic partner to project leaders by independently managing project management activities for complex, high-impact development programs.
- Guide deliverable execution by managing schedules, costs, and performance risks; facilitate scenario planning to develop realistic milestones; and maintain scope documentation aligned with strategic goals.
- Own project plans, develop and maintain timelines and process maps, identify and communicate the critical path and leading indicators of progress, monitor performance against plan, and guide team action to keep projects on track while ensuring data completeness and quality across systems.
- Partner with Finance, functional areas, and geographies to manage the team's development budget; report and explain variances, drive re-forecasts, update budget data in appropriate tools, and clarify the costs of development options.
- Guide development-risk assessment and establish mitigation and contingency plans with clear ownership; communicate risks affecting the critical path and trigger contingency plans to avoid or mitigate those risks.
- Promote continuous improvement by generating process ideas and sharing learnings with the team and function; identify ways to improve effectiveness, decrease development cycle times, and consistently apply project-management tools and concepts to maximize business value.
Desired Qualifications
- PMP or CAPM certification.
- Direct experience in the Animal Health industry.
- A growth mindset and curiosity, with eagerness to ask questions and learn rapidly.
- Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively.
About the company
Elanco is a global animal health company that develops medicines, vaccines, and preventive care products for livestock and pets. Its products include prescription medicines, vaccines, and parasite-control solutions used by veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners to protect animal health and welfare and improve productivity. After separating from Eli Lilly in 2019, Elanco expanded its scale by acquiring Bayer Animal Health in 2020, which broadened its reach in the companion-animal market and added direct-to-consumer capabilities. Its goal is to advance animal health and welfare worldwide by providing effective, accessible products and services while growing sustainably as a standalone company.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Indianapolis, Indiana
Founded
1954
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- August 5, 2026 Q2 revenue reached $1.368 billion, with 8% organic constant-currency growth.
- August 26, 2026 Elwood expansion quadrupled mAb capacity, supporting Befrena and Trutect.
- Elanco raised 2026 innovation revenue to $1.25 billion and targets unconstrained Befrena supply by early 2027.
What critics are saying
- December 2025 restructuring hit 600 roles and $175 million charges, with closures continuing through 2026.
- Seventh Circuit affirmed Elanco's securities case on August 14, 2026, keeping disclosure risk alive.
- Befrena demand is twice expectations; any manufacturing or safety setback would cripple Elanco's biologics thesis.
What makes Elanco unique
- Elanco owns one of two animal-health monoclonal antibody platforms, centered in Elwood, Kansas.
- Befrena and Trutect give Elanco proprietary biologics manufacturing control, not outsourced dependence.
- Elanco spans farm and pet health, unlike narrower companion-animal rivals like Zoetis.
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Benefits
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Options
- 401(k) Company Match
- Parental Leave
- Annual Bonus
- Relocation Assistance