As a Project Manager at OWKIN, your day-to-day work will be highly dynamic, bridging the gap between cutting-edge science and operational execution. You will be responsible for leading complex, cross-functional projects from inception through to successful delivery. This involves defining project scopes, developing detailed project plans, tracking progress against key milestones, and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively.

You will act as the primary point of contact for external partners, including leading pharmaceutical companies, academic research institutions, and hospital networks. A significant portion of your time will be spent managing these relationships, ensuring that partner expectations are aligned with internal capabilities. You will lead regular project governance meetings, facilitate collaborative workshops, and ensure that all stakeholders are kept fully informed of project progress, risks, and achievements.

Internally, you will coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, software engineers, translational biologists, and clinical experts. You will foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment, helping to resolve bottlenecks and keeping the team focused on delivery. Additionally, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of project management methodologies and best practices within OWKIN, helping the company scale its operations efficiently.

To be competitive for the Project Manager position at OWKIN, you must demonstrate a strong blend of professional experience, domain knowledge, and interpersonal skills.

• Must-have skills & experience:

  • Proven experience as a project manager, ideally managing complex, cross-functional projects in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or healthcare AI industries.
  • Strong foundational knowledge of either clinical research/drug development processes or machine learning/software development workflows.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills in English, with the ability to convey complex technical or scientific concepts to non-expert audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience in risk management, stakeholder alignment, and managing external client or partner relationships.

• Nice-to-have skills & experience:

  • Professional project management certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, Agile Scrum Master).
  • Professional proficiency or fluency in French, given the close collaboration with the Paris-based headquarters and teams.
  • Experience working with federated learning, real-world evidence (RWE), or highly regulated clinical data.
  • Prior experience in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling startup or scale-up environment.

Q: How difficult is the interview process for the Project Manager role? A: The process is generally rated as average in difficulty, but it requires thorough preparation. The difficulty lies in the highly multidisciplinary nature of the role; you must be comfortable discussing both complex AI concepts and pharmaceutical workflows, and perform well in the simulated kick-off presentation.

Q: What is the most critical stage of the interview process? A: The project kick-off simulation is the most critical stage. This is where the hiring team evaluates your structured thinking, presentation skills, ability to handle pressure, and how you interact with stakeholders. Spend ample time refining your presentation slides and practicing your delivery.

Q: Do I need to speak French to work at OWKIN? A: While English is the official working language of OWKIN and all interviews are conducted in English, having a working knowledge of French is highly advantageous. Many core team members and major stakeholders are based in Paris, and speaking French can greatly ease day-to-day collaboration.

Q: How long does the recruitment process typically take? A: The timeline can vary. While some candidates experience a structured and timely process, others have reported a slower, more drawn-out experience with communication gaps. It is highly recommended to remain proactive, follow up respectfully, and clarify next steps at the end of every interview.

To maximize your chances of success, keep these practical, insider tips in mind as you navigate the OWKIN interview process:

• Clarify Travel and Location Expectations Early: Since the vast majority of OWKIN's teams and leadership are based in Paris, make sure you have a clear discussion about travel expectations early in the process, especially if you are interviewing for roles based in London or New York. Show your willingness to collaborate closely across borders.

• Bridge the AI-Pharma Gap: Throughout your interviews, explicitly highlight your ability to act as a translator between technical data scientists and clinical researchers. Give concrete examples of how you have successfully managed communication between diverse, specialized teams in your past roles.

• Master the Structure of Your Presentation: For the kick-off simulation, prioritize clarity, structure, and professional delivery. Do not overcomplicate your slides with excessive text. Instead, focus on presenting a clean, logical project timeline, a clear RACI matrix, and a robust risk management plan.

• Be Proactive with Communication: If you experience delays or lack of feedback during the process, do not hesitate to send a polite, structured follow-up email to your recruiter. Demonstrating proactive, professional communication is a core competency for a project manager and will be viewed positively.

The Project Manager position at OWKIN is an exceptionally rewarding role for individuals who want to operate at the cutting edge of technology and medicine. By successfully navigating this interview process, you will position yourself to lead projects that have a direct, tangible impact on patient outcomes and the future of healthcare.

As you prepare, focus on mastering the project kick-off simulation, refining your domain knowledge in both AI and pharma, and demonstrating a highly structured, proactive approach to risk and stakeholder management. Approach your interviews with confidence, professional clarity, and a genuine enthusiasm for OWKIN's mission.

To gain deeper insights into compensation, company culture, and additional interview preparation resources, explore the detailed data and community-shared experiences available on Dataford.

The salary data above provides an overview of the typical compensation structure for project management professionals in this sector. When preparing your salary expectations for OWKIN, consider how your specific blend of AI and pharmaceutical domain expertise positions you within this range, as specialized cross-functional skills are highly valued.