Project Manager - Bioinformatics Data Strategy

Location: North Chicago, IL (Hybrid - On-site Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)

Duration: 3-month contract (potential extension based on business need)

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week

Pay Rate: $53 - $57/hour (based on benefits selection)

Orion Group is seeking an experienced Project Manager - Bioinformatics Data Strategy for a short-term contract engagement to support the tactical execution of key data strategy initiatives within a bioinformatics organization of our pharmaceutical client in Lake County. This role will focus on coordinating working groups, driving timelines, and supporting the integration of technologies that enable advanced analytics and AI/ML capabilities.

The Project Manager will provide hands-on tactical support to the Strategic Program Manager for Bioinformatics and the Head of Bioinformatics, ensuring alignment across multiple data-focused workstreams.

Key Responsibilities Working Group Coordination

• Organize, launch, and support cross-functional working groups aligned to defined focus areas such as:
  • Code Ocean implementation
  • Metadata management
  • Data storage and infrastructure
• Ensure clear ownership, scope definition, and progress tracking for each working group.

Project Planning & Documentation

• Develop and maintain detailed project documentation, including timelines, milestones, objectives, and deliverables.
• Translate functional and technical input into clear, actionable project plans.

Risk & Dependency Management

• Create and manage risk registries, identifying potential issues and mitigation strategies.
• Track and communicate interdependencies across workstreams to ensure on-time delivery.

Meeting Facilitation & Execution

• Schedule, facilitate, and document working group meetings.
• Capture decisions, action items, and follow-ups to maintain momentum and accountability.

Communication & Reporting

• Implement and maintain effective communication frameworks across all working groups.
• Provide regular status updates and escalation support to the strategic program manager and leadership.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 3-5 years of project management experience within life sciences, bioinformatics, data management, or data strategy environments.
• Life Sciences Background: Demonstrated experience supporting projects in bioinformatics, scientific data platforms, or advanced analytics environments.
• Communication Skills: Strong organizational and stakeholder management skills with the ability to bridge technical teams and leadership.
• Technical Literacy: Comfortable working with bioinformatics and data management terminology and translating technical requirements into execution plans.
• Tools: Proficiency with Smartsheet and Confluence (highly preferred).
• Platform Experience: Prior experience supporting platform integrations; familiarity with Code Ocean or similar platforms is a strong plus.
• Work Style: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-focused with the ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams.

Why This Role

This is a high-impact opportunity to contribute to critical bioinformatics data strategy initiatives while working closely with senior leadership in a fast-moving, technically advanced environment.

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion

As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.