IT Project Manager – ELN Platforms (Electronic Lab Notebook) & Scientific Data Systems
Position Summary
The IT Project MAnager – ELN & Scientific Data Platforms is a senior, outcome-accountable delivery leader responsible for the global implementation, validation, and adoption of Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) ecosystems across regulated R&D and Quality environments.
This role operates at the intersection of scientific workflows, regulated data integrity, and enterprise IT architecture, owning end-to-end program delivery, compliance readiness, and measurable scientific productivity outcomes.
Unlike traditional PM roles, this position requires demonstrated authority over multi-system lab ecosystems, validated platforms, and scientist behavior change at scale.
Scope & Accountability
- Own multi-site, multi-system ELN program delivery (not single-project execution)
- Accountable for scientific data integrity, audit readiness, and adoption outcomes, not just deployment
- Operate across R&D, Analytical, and QC environments in GxP-regulated settings
- Drive standardization vs. localization trade-offs across global lab networks
- Control program-level governance, funding alignment, and executive reporting
Core Responsibilities
1. Enterprise ELN Program Ownership (Primary)
- Lead end-to-end ELN program lifecycle: strategy → design → configuration → integration → validation → deployment → adoption → optimization
- Own delivery across multiple concurrent workstreams (functional, technical, validation, change)
- Ensure alignment between scientific objectives and enterprise data strategy
- Deliver against quantified outcomes (adoption, data quality, compliance, cycle time)
2. Scientific Workflow Engineering (Primary)
- Translate complex experimental workflows (R&D, analytical, QC) into structured ELN data models and templates
- Standardize experiment design, execution capture, and reporting frameworks
- Ensure reproducibility, traceability, and structured data capture at scale
- Challenge and redesign legacy lab practices where required
3. Regulated Validation & Data Integrity Leadership (Primary)
- Own CSV/CSA validation strategy and execution across ELN and integrated systems
- Ensure compliance with:
- GxP
- 21 CFR Part 11
- ALCOA+ data integrity principles
- Accountable for:
- Audit readiness
- Validation documentation completeness
- Inspection defense
4. Cross-System Lab Architecture & Integration
- Lead integration strategy across:
- ELN
- LIMS
- CDS
- SDMS
- Data/analytics platforms
- Ensure end-to-end data flow integrity and interoperability
- Partner with enterprise architecture to align with data platforms and digital lab strategy
5. Governance & Decision Authority (Primary)
- Establish and operate program-level governance frameworks:
- RAID
- Decision logs
- Steering committees
- Act as single accountable owner for delivery tradeoffs:
- Usability vs compliance
- Standardization vs flexibility
- Speed vs validation rigor
- Interface with senior stakeholders (Scientific Leadership, QA, IT Executives)
6. Adoption, Change & Behavioral Transformation (Primary)
- Drive scientist adoption in resistant, autonomy-driven environments
- Own:
- Training strategy
- Usage standards
- Template governance
- Track and enforce hard adoption metrics:
- Active usage rates
- Template compliance
- Data completeness
- Intervene where adoption fails — not a passive KPI
7. Global Delivery Leadership
- Deliver across geographically distributed lab environments
- Align local scientific practices with global ELN standards
- Navigate regulatory variation across regions
Success Metrics (Strict, Outcome-Based)
- ELN active adoption rate (>85% target in-scope users)
- Structured data completeness and audit traceability
- Validation cycle time and inspection outcomes
- Reduction of paper / shadow systems
- Measurable improvement in:
- Experiment reproducibility
- Data accessibility
- Reporting cycle time
Non-Negotiable Requirements (Hard Gates)
- 10–15+ years in IT delivery with program-level ownership (not project-only)
- Proven delivery of ELN or equivalent scientific data platforms in regulated environments
- Demonstrated ownership of GxP validation (CSV/CSA) and audit readiness
- Evidence of driving adoption across scientist-heavy organizations
- Experience integrating ELN with LIMS/CDS/SDMS ecosystems
- Clear examples of decision authority (not support roles)
Preferred (High-Value Differentiators)
- Hands-on experience with:
- Benchling
- IDBS
- BIOVIA
- LabWare ELN
- Background in life sciences, pharma, biotech, or regulated research environments
- Exposure to digital lab transformation or data platform initiatives
- Experience influencing scientific leadership and QA governance bodies
Critical Competencies
- Scientific–technical translation capability (lab ↔ IT)
- Regulated delivery discipline under audit conditions
- Authority in ambiguity and cross-functional conflict
- Behavioral change leadership (not just communication)
- Data integrity mindset at system design level
