HR Program Manager/Workforce Strategy Manager (Pharma/Biotech)

Job Title: Project / Operations Manager

Company: Pharma / Biotech
Location: Lake County, IL (Hybrid)
Contract Length: 1 Year
Schedule: Contract, Hybrid (Onsite and Remote)
Pay: $$75 per hour (based on experience)

Job Overview

We are seeking a Project / Operations Manager to support the Discovery Research organization. This role will focus on driving talent strategy initiatives and strengthening culture and engagement programs across research teams. The position works closely with the Director of Strategy and Culture, Business HR, leadership teams, and cross-functional partners to promote a high-performing and inclusive workplace environment.

This is a one-year contract opportunity based in Lake County with a hybrid work schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to execute talent strategy plans, including onboarding, career development, and sponsorship programs.
• Implement culture and engagement initiatives aligned with Discovery Research and R&D goals.
• Develop and manage processes to measure and improve employee engagement, wellbeing, and organizational culture.
• Lead coordination of employee surveys, feedback sessions, recognition programs, onboarding initiatives, and leadership forums.
• Build and maintain SharePoint and Unily sites to ensure transparency and effective internal communication.
• Track, analyze, and report metrics related to engagement, retention, and talent development.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities within talent and culture programs.
• Support change management efforts for new initiatives and organizational updates.
• Provide regular progress updates and reporting to leadership stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• 5 to 7 years of project or operations management experience, preferably in a research, technical, or life sciences environment.
• Experience supporting talent strategy, employee engagement, or culture initiatives.
• Strong organizational and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze data and report key performance metrics.
• Experience with SharePoint and internal communication platforms such as Unily is preferred.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.

Pay: $70.00 - $75.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• operations management: 5 years (Preferred)
• managing talent, engagement: 5 years (Preferred)
• alignment between talent strategy and organizational goals: 5 years (Preferred)
• Support change management efforts: 5 years (Preferred)
• onboarding, career development, and sponsorship programs.: 5 years (Preferred)
• Pharma or biotech industry: 5 years (Preferred)
• improve employee engagement & organizational culture: 5 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• North Chicago, IL 60086 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person