Position: Project Manager, Operations & IT

Position Type: Full-Time Employee

Department: Information Technology (IT)

Location: Boulder, CO (onsite)

Experience: BS and 5+ years or MS and 3+ years of relevant industry experience in technical program and project management

Position Summary

Watchmaker Genomics is inviting applications for the full-time position of Project Manager, Operations & IT, reporting to our Chief Operating Officer.

This position sits within Information Technology (IT) and is responsible for leading Watchmaker Genomics’ largest and most complex technology programs and projects from initiation through delivery, while also coaching and mentoring the individual contributors and project managers who run smaller-scale IT projects. This role is the primary translator of day-to-day project execution into clear, concise program-level reporting.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, technically fluent leader who can flex between hands-on program management of enterprise-wide initiatives (e.g., ERP/LIMS implementations, infrastructure and cloud upgrades, systems integrations, and cybersecurity or compliance-driven programs) and coaching less experienced project managers on project management fundamentals, tools, and best practices. Familiarity with the life sciences, biotech, or another regulated manufacturing environment is a plus.

The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced working environment and contribute directly to our company culture and success. The position provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience leading enterprise technology programs and developing other project managers, while partnering closely with executive leadership.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage Watchmaker’s largest, most complex, and highest-risk technology programs and projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-scope delivery
Serve as a player-coach: mentor and coach individual-contributor project managers running smaller IT projects, providing hands-on guidance on project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, and use of project management tools and methodologies
Develop and maintain program-level roadmaps, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk registers that roll individual project data up into a cohesive portfolio view
Build and deliver clear, concise program and portfolio status reports, dashboards, and executive-level presentations to the COO, CFO, and broader leadership team on a regular cadence
Establish and continuously improve IT project and program management standards, templates, governance, and best practices across the department
Partner cross-functionally with IT, R&D, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, and Finance stakeholders to align technology initiatives with business priorities
Identify, escalate, and help resolve project and program risks, issues, and interdependencies; facilitate trade-off decision discussions and ensure key stakeholders are identified and engaged
Track and report on financials (budget vs. actual) for programs and projects, partnering with the CFO’s office on capital planning and spend forecasting as needed
Support change management and adoption planning for major technology rollouts
Additional responsibilities as assigned

Please note: The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and other similar duties may be required from time to time.

Skills and Requirements

The candidate should have a degree in business, information technology, computer science, engineering, or a related discipline, with at least five years of relevant industry experience managing technical programs and projects (see education section below). Experience in the following areas is considered highly desirable: enterprise IT systems implementations (ERP, LIMS, CRM), infrastructure or cloud programs, and cybersecurity or compliance-driven initiatives, ideally within a regulated or life sciences environment. Previous experience coaching or leading other project managers, and prior exposure to reporting into executive or finance leadership, is considered a plus.