Escalent

You would help evaluate and adopt AI tools, enable internal teams, support AI product development and testing, and guide a small global team. | The role asks for 5–7 years of international market research experience, hands-on AI tool experience, project leadership, process innovation, and strong communication and coaching skills. | Role Overview This role sits within our AI and Innovation Hub - an enterprise-wide team focused on operationalizing and integrating AI tools and capabilities into our core business of research & consulting, as well as our corporate function workflows. Ultimately, this role actively contributes to our efforts to develop in-house and monetizable AI products and solutions to foster better, smarter, and efficient workflows. As a research and advisory firm, the ideal candidate is an experienced professional with notable Strategy Research and/or Consulting experience, exposure to Workflow and Product Development, high degree of AI-and-tech savviness, and a Consultative and Impact oriented mindset. Responsibilities • Develop a strong understanding of Escalent group's products, tools, solutions, and technological roadmap and use as context for AI initiatives related to company workflows and products. • Demonstrate a strong capability to link findings and recommendations to desired business impact. • Present findings and recommendations, while explaining approach and rationale, to various business teams as and when needed. • Contribute to Escalent's ongoing and ever-expanding AI upskilling initiatives by conceptualizing ideas, developing collateral, and administering sessions. • Organize and administer demos, show-n-tells, and lunch-n-learns among internal/external audiences to socialize the product/feature/agent, resolve queries, foster adoption, and gather constructive and actionable feedback. • Exhibit a strong passion for AI and innovation, and stay updated on the latest developments, trends, product/model launches, etc. and their plausible impact on Escalent's AI strategy /approach/roadmap. • Address internal queries on AI, innovation, and automation tools/techniques/approaches to ensure teams know when (and when not) to use AI, how to use it effectively + efficiently + ethically, which tool/feature/product/agent to leverage, and where to avoid pitfalls. • 3P Toolkit Due Diligence and Expansion • Identify relevant AI/innovation tools for any use case, via desk research and internal outreach. • Liaise with various tool vendors to understand functional possibilities, evaluate use case fitment, and assess commercial viability. • Partner with Compliance and IT teams to vet and whitelist specific tools for test/trials. • Conceptualize a trial program and secure licenses for testing. • Partner with domain/functional/corporate teams to test various tools to assess their effectiveness and value-add. • Internal and SharePoint Documentation • Prepare, maintain, and improve documents on AI-related processes, guidelines, and protocols. • Author self-learn collateral on the in-house and approved 3P tool mix, such as tool one-pagers, tool usage decision flowcharts, SharePoint pages and content, etc. Support AI Product Development • Where applicable, co-develop the development/implementation and scaling plan, in collaboration with the tech, development, and product teams. • Where applicable/possible, adopt a hands-on approach on low-code/no-code/vibe-code agent development tools/environments to create the tool/agent. • Craft and co-implement alpha and beta testing plans, and internal and external rollout roadmaps, to ensure controlled testing, scaled launch, robust adoption, and continuous improvement. • Double up as an alpha tester focused on 'breaking' the product/feature/agent to ensure adequate stress-testing under various edge cases. Supervisory Responsibilities This role may supervise 1-3 team members on a newly formed global team, including employees located in India and the UK. Supervisory responsibilities may include basic first-line management duties such as: • Coach direct reports on how to understand internal stakeholder and/or client needs, apply AI-enabled approaches appropriately, and deliver work that creates measurable impact. • Lead by example by demonstrating creativity, curiosity, imagination, and passion for AI-enabled innovation and upholding high standards of conduct accordingly. • Assist the team in quickly ramping-up on various AI tools, low-code/no-code workflow automation and agent building platforms, and internal AI toolkits, thereby helping them effectively perform the role of an "AI Enabler". • Provide day-to-day guidance by helping team members execute technical tasks, prioritize work, stay aligned across regions and time zones, raise issues early, and collaborate effectively with colleagues in India, the UK, and other stakeholder groups. • Codify and share best practices and approaches to strengthen or maintain the quality of the team's work in partnership with SVP, and other AI Hub leaders. • Support accountability by reinforcing roles, expectations, deliverables, and timelines established with senior leadership, helping team members understand priorities and how their work contributes to team goals. • Support the growth of team members through regular 1:1s and performance management check-ins. Partner with SVP to identify opportunities for skill development, recognize performance excellence, and steer their career growth. Qualifications • 5-7 years in delivering Market Research & Insights engagements across industries, focused on international markets. • Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, or equivalent combination of education and experience • Must Have: hands-on experience with AI and innovative tools + ability to quickly ramp-up on new ones. • Big Plus: experience with low-code/no-code/vibe-code agent development and working with tech/development/product teams. • Solid experience leading project-based engagements and delivering findings to client and internal stakeholders. • Strong exposure to internal process innovation/automation. • Some experience in cross-functional, enterprise-wide initiatives. • Excellent communication and presentation skills • Collaborative leader with strong interpersonal skills, comfortable coaching and reviewing the work of junior colleagues • Logical and creative thinker with astute analytical aptitude • Consultative approach to problem solving • Strong attention to detail Work Environment & Compensation • Location: Remote - Ontario, Canada • Canada Salary Range: CAD $100,000 - $125,000. Competitive, market-aligned compensation commensurate with experience • Travel: Minimal, based on project needs

Lead global health and life sciences research project management teams, setting delivery standards and strategy while overseeing project execution, budgets, resources, clients, and operational improvement. | Requires a bachelor's degree and typically 10+ years in project management, research operations, consulting, healthcare, life sciences, or related services, with leadership experience; health and life sciences, project financial management, and managing multiple teams are preferred. | Role Overview The Senior Director, Project Management leads the Project Management functions of primary market research and operations for Escalent Global Health & Life Sciences, providing operational direction for a department that includes multiple project management teams. This US-based role is accountable for ensuring that client work across the department and geographic regions is delivered consistently on time, at a high level of quality, and in alignment with agreed scope, budget, process, and financial expectations. The Senior Director is also expected to lead and manage individual projects, as needed, as well as support the commercial process including proposal cost estimating and contracting. As a Senior Director-level leader, this position owns the short- to mid-term execution of the Project Management functional strategy, typically over a one- to three-year horizon. The Senior Director translates business, client, and functional priorities into operating plans, staffing and resource approaches, process expectations, and performance goals for the department. The Senior Director contributes to client satisfaction, retention, operational discipline, and financial performance by leading through Managers and/or Team Leaders, influencing cross-functional partners, and communicating effectively with executive leadership. Problems faced are often complex and require extensive investigation, analysis, stakeholder alignment, and sound decision-making The Salary Range for this position is $120,000 - $135,000. If this is not the right level for you, please check out our other postings. If this is not the right level for you, please check out our other postings. For this remote position, must be based in the United States. Key Responsibilities Department Leadership & Functional Strategy • Own the short- to mid-term execution of the Project Management functional strategy for Escalent Health & Life Sciences, translating business priorities into operational plans, goals, and measurable outcomes. • Provide operational direction for a global department that includes multiple project management teams led by Managers and/or Team Leaders. • Set department-level goals, objectives, operating expectations, and performance measures to support project delivery, quality, financial stewardship, client service, and team development. • Lead, coach, and develop Managers and/or Team Leaders, ensuring they are equipped to guide their teams, manage priorities, address performance needs, and build project management capability. • Ensure Project Management policies, practices, procedures, compliance expectations, pharmacovigilance, including audit readiness, and quality standards are understood, adopted, and consistently followed by direct reports, team members, vendors, clients, and stakeholders. Project, Client & Executive Leadership • Oversee end-to-end Global Primary Research Health & Life Sciences project delivery across multiple teams and client engagements, ensuring effective project kickoff, timeline planning, scope management, budget monitoring, resource coordination, vendor management, and milestone/client communications. • Partner with leaders across Insights & Consulting, Sales & Strategic Growth, Operations, Finance, and Centers of Excellence to support accurate bids, cost estimates, resource plans, delivery approaches, and business priorities. • Serve as a senior project management leader who ensures the function "keeps the trains on schedule," with department-level oversight of scope, time, cost, quality, resources, and risk. • Communicate and influence executive leadership on project delivery priorities, operational risks, resource needs, process improvements, and recommended practices or approaches. • Influence clients, colleagues, vendors, Managers, Team Leaders, and senior stakeholders to align around effective project management practices, delivery standards, and solutions. • Provide consultative project management guidance to clients and internal leaders, leveraging expertise in Escalent solutions, research operations, Health & Life Sciences delivery models, and project execution. Operational Excellence & Complex Problem Solving • Identify, investigate, and resolve complex operational and project delivery issues related to timelines, scope, budget, quality, pharmacovigilance, staffing, vendor performance, stakeholder alignment, or client expectations. • Use data, tools, analysis, stakeholder input, and sound judgment to evaluate complex problems, determine root causes, assess options, and recommend practical solutions. • Drive consistent project management practices, documentation standards, status reporting, risk management, financial stewardship, and continuous process improvement across the department. • Maintain accountability for project financial performance, including budget management, margin considerations, resource utilization, and cost-effective delivery approaches. • Anticipate operational risks and capacity needs across the department, recommending adjustments to priorities, staffing, workflow, process, or escalation paths as needed. What Success Looks Like • The Project Management team has clear goals, operating expectations, performance measures, and delivery standards that align with Global Health & Life Sciences business priorities. • Managers and/or Team Leaders are effectively leading their teams, developing talent, managing priorities, and supporting consistent execution. • Projects are delivered on time, within scope, on budget, and with a strong focus on quality, client satisfaction, and financial outcomes. Cost estimates are accurate and continually reviewed to optimize proposal pricing. • Complex delivery issues are investigated thoroughly, resolved effectively, and used to strengthen processes, communication, and decision-making. • Clients, internal partners, vendors, and executive leaders experience proactive communication, credible recommendations, and strong project management leadership. • Escalent project management practices, policies, and procedures are applied consistently across multiple global teams and engagements. Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in a related field required. Advanced degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. • Typically requires 10+ years of project management, research operations, consulting, healthcare, life sciences, data collection, or related professional services experience, including experience leading teams or functions. • Experience managing Managers, Team Leaders, or multiple global project teams is highly preferred. • Demonstrated ability to translate functional strategy into operating plans, department goals, resource approaches, and measurable outcomes. • Strong experience managing complex project delivery issues, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, stakeholder alignment, vendor performance, and resource constraints. • Proven ability to communicate with and influence executive leadership, senior stakeholders, clients, cross-functional partners, and teams to adopt effective practices and approaches. • Strong expertise in project financial management, vendor management, research operations, project execution, and continuous process improvement, with extensive experience implementing compliant operational processes and partnering with internal subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure adherence to corporate policies, client requirements, life sciences regulations, and industry standards. • Breadth of research methodology knowledge and experience, including quantitative, qualitative, and/or data collection methodologies. Experience within Health & Life Sciences research environments is preferred. • PMP certification or formal project management training preferred. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as AI tools and software. Experience with project management software is preferred. Skills & Attributes People who excel in this role are: • Strategic operators who can translate functional priorities into practical execution plans. • Experienced leaders who can lead through Managers and/or Team Leaders while maintaining visibility to operational performance and client outcomes as well as manage individual projects as needed. • Strong communicators who build credibility with executive leadership, clients, colleagues, vendors, and senior stakeholders. • Influential change leaders who can align others around practices, approaches, standards, and process improvements. • Analytical problem solvers who can investigate complex issues, evaluate options, and recommend sound solutions. • Highly organized, process-oriented leaders who can manage multiple teams, projects, risks, and competing priorities simultaneously. • Collaborative, professional, and situationally aware, particularly in client-facing and executive-facing environments. • Calm under pressure, detail-oriented, and committed to execution excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. • Experienced in successfully coaching and mentoring team members to facilitate skills development and career growth. Compensation, Benefits, and Culture • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - Large carriers on a national level (domestic partner coverage included) • 401k with Company Match • Flexible PTO - Feel no guilt in taking off a minimum of 3 weeks of "real" vacation time • Paid Parental Leave • 12 Paid Company Holidays • Hybrid/Virtual Work - Virtual-first workforce with employees in most states • Base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $135,000 #LI-Remote