Manager Project Management (m/f/d)

In this role you will lead a high-performing unit of 10–20 Technical Project Managers in Jena, shaping a world‑class project management function. You will transform governance, drive technical excellence, and build a coaching culture to handle high-ambiguity, customer-driven timelines. You will collaborate cross‑functionally with Product, Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing and partner with global stakeholders to deliver complex optical systems. This is a strategic, impact‑driven leadership role in a global tech setting.

• Lead and develop a 10–20 person Technical Project Management unit in Jena
• Professionalize project governance with KPIs, risk registers, and health reviews
• Ensure technical quality through review of specifications, analyses, and architecture for optical systems
• Design and implement a coaching/mentoring program to grow next-generation leaders
• Align the TPM group with Product, Sales, Engineering, and Manufacturing
• Act as strategic partner to major customers and balance demands with technical capabilities
• Take functional leadership of budget and resource allocation across global projects
• Collaborate with peers in the US and Switzerland to harmonize standards

• 10+ years of experience managing complex opto-mechatronic or optical systems in an industrial setting
• Experience leading teams of project managers with change management and coaching focus
• Master’s or PhD in Physics or Engineering or equivalent with strong technical acumen
• Ability to operate in an international environment with business-fluent English and good German
• Proven track record managing major global accounts with tight deadlines and ability to lead through technical uncertainty

• change management
• stakeholder management
• coaching and mentoring
• experience with opto-mechatronic/optical systems
• project governance (KPIs, risk management, health reviews)
• technical due diligence (requirements analyses, architecture reviews)