Senior Director, U.S. Capital Project - Injectable Aesthetics
About the Role
Galderma is undertaking a major greenfield capital investment to establish the sole manufacturing supply site for the U.S. Injectable Aesthetics market. This strategically critical facility will incorporate state-of-the-art manufacturing, utilities, and quality systems compliant with global regulatory expectations. The Senior Director, U.S. Capital Project - Injectable Aesthetics will provide end-to-end leadership of the project from concept development through commissioning and qualification of facilities, utilities, and manufacturing equipment. This role is pivotal to ensuring the project meets its objectives for safety, quality, schedule, cost, and long-term operational readiness. The position reports directly to the Site Director, with a strong functional reporting relationship to the Head of Engineering, Global Operations, and acts as the single point of accountability for execution of the capital program.
Responsibilities
- Overall Project Leadership
- Provide full lifecycle ownership of the greenfield capital investment, acting as the single accountable leader for the end-to-end investment outcomes.
- Establish and lead the integrated project organization, comprising internal stakeholders and external partners (EPCM, OEMs, consultants, contractors).
- Ensure alignment between project objectives, site strategy, and Global Operations Engineering standards.
- Project Definition & Design
- Lead concept development and option evaluations to support investment decisions.
- Own development and approval of the Basis of Design (BoD) and User Requirement Specifications (URS) for facilities, utilities, and manufacturing systems.
- Ensure design compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, EU GMP Annex 1), Galderma global engineering standards, and lifecycle cost principles.
- Drive value engineering while maintaining uncompromised quality, safety, and compliance.
- Ensure structural and organizational alignment to Standard Structure principles across the Galderma network.
- Execution, Procurement & Construction
- Lead Detailed Design, procurement strategy, and contracting for EPCM services, OEM equipment, and construction packages.
- Establish and manage the project execution plan, cost control, schedule baseline, and change management processes.
- Ensure robust EHS leadership throughout construction and installation activities.
- Oversee construction activities through mechanical completion, ensuring readiness for commissioning.
- Commissioning, Qualification & Handover
- Lead commissioning and qualification strategy and execution for:
- Facilities and cleanrooms
- Process and clean utilities
- Manufacturing and packaging equipment
- Ensure successful delivery through to qualified, compliant, and operable systems, ready for Tech Transfer and commercial manufacturing.
- Drive structured handover to future Site Operations, Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain functions with complete documentation and trained personnel.
- Lead commissioning and qualification strategy and execution for:
- Governance, Risk & Stakeholder Management
- Establish risk-based project governance aligned with Global Operations and corporate investment frameworks.
- Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks related to schedule, cost, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide transparent reporting to the Site Director, Global Operations Engineering, and executive steering committees.
- Act as a senior stakeholder interface with regulators, auditors, corporate leadership, and other internal/external stakeholders as required.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of experience delivering major pharmaceutical or biotech capital projects, including greenfield facilities with demonstrated successful delivery of at least two fully commissioned facilities.
- Proven track record of leading projects >$200M, through design, construction, commissioning, and qualification.
- Strong expertise in aseptic/sterile injectable manufacturing facilities, utilities, and GMP compliance.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or similar) required; Master’s Degree preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership in matrixed, multi-stakeholder environments with global interfaces.
- Deep understanding of capital project execution methodologies (e.g., FEL, stage-gate governance, risk-based C&Q).
- Exceptional project leadership with the ability to set direction, drive execution, and resolve complexity.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing budgets, contracts, and cost controls at scale.
- Highly credible communicator, capable of engaging effectively with C-Level executive leadership, regulators, technical experts, and external stakeholders.
- Decisive and resilient leader, comfortable operating under pressure and with high organizational visibility.
- Committed to safety, quality, and compliance as non-negotiable fundamentals of project delivery.
Work Environment
This role requires the ability to perform standard office activities, including extended periods of computer use, participation in virtual and in-person meetings, and collaboration across teams. Depending on business needs, occasional travel may be required. Work environments and physical requirements may vary based on the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Pay
The salary range may vary based on factors including job responsibilities, skills, experience, education, certifications, location, and applicable geographic pay zones, market conditions, internal equity, and business considerations. Compensation decisions are made based on an assessment of the candidate's qualifications and the totality of relevant factors. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an annual short-term incentive program, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.
Benefits
Galderma offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off, and other benefits, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.