Senior Innovation Project Manager

Hovione is an independent family owned international group of companies. From the beginning, we have set ourselves above and apart through our innovative technological and productive capabilities, reaching a top spot in the world market as an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Company dedicated to helping Pharmaceutical Customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market.

Our people are the main asset for our continued success. Reaching over 1950 team members, from 36 different nationalities, that are located across Asia, Europe and North America (Portugal, US, Macao, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and Switzerland), including 4 production sites.

Working at Hovione means reaching for innovation and excellence in everything we do: for our clients, our partners and, above all, our patients. That is why we are In it for life.

Hovione is seeking a Senior Innovation Project Manager to lead cross functional teams and strengthen the interface between academia and industry within the company’s research and innovation ecosystem. The selected candidate will be responsible for managing the Hovione Research Program (HRP) - a collaborative initiative comprising around 30 graduate students (approximately 20 MSc and 10 PhD) - ensuring alignment between Hovione’s R&D strategy and the academic institutions that support our innovation pipeline.

This role requires a strategic, structured, and highly collaborative professional capable of navigating the scientific, operational, and legal dimensions of academia–industry partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in technology transfer, research collaboration management, and intellectual property negotiation, combined with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Manage the Hovione Research Program (HRP): Oversee all aspects of the program, including planning, budgeting, timelines, performance tracking, stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Coordinate academia–industry collaboration: Ensure productive interaction between academic partners, students, and Hovione’s internal teams (R&D, HR, Legal, and Management).
• Negotiate collaboration agreements: Lead discussions with universities and research institutions, focusing on IP ownership, confidentiality, and publication terms, ensuring alignment with Hovione’s internal policies and legal framework.
• Support graduate students’ recruitment: Liaising with internal stakeholders for launch project calls, supporting student interviews, and onboarding.
• Oversee student integration and progress: Monitor and support the scientific and professional development of MSc and PhD students, ensuring research aligns with company priorities and academic standards.
• Stakeholder management: Serve as the key liaison between academia and internal stakeholders, ensuring program goals, deliverables, and expectations are met on both sides.
• Ensure compliance and quality: Ensure compliance with GMP, HSE, and internal policies while upholding a culture of safety and continuous improvement and guarantee that all collaborations meet Hovione’s standards for ethics, research integrity, and contractual compliance.

• Promote innovation culture: Support internal R&D teams and management in identifying, evaluating, and implementing collaborative innovation opportunities.

• Monitor performance metrics: Track outcomes of academic partnerships and measure impact on innovation, IP generation, and scientific output.

• Education: MSc degree required (PhD preferred) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience managing technology transfer, research collaborations, or innovation programs between academia and industry.
• Preferred background: Prior experience in university graduate schools, technology transfer offices, or research management roles.
• Proven track record in negotiating research collaboration agreements and working with legal teams on IP and confidentiality terms.
• Strong understanding of academic research processes, IP management, and industry R&D operations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills — able to build trust and alignment across diverse teams.
• Fluent in English with strong written, verbal, and presentation abilities.

• High ethical standards, attention to detail, and a proactive, team-oriented mindset.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. At Hovione, that means a work environment where differences are valued, and everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We want all our team members worldwide to feel supported, respected, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or ethnicity.