Senior IT Project Manager (Windchill 13 Upgrade) Freelancer

Job Overview

We are seeking a Senior IT Project Manager with strong expertise in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), particularly PTC Windchill, to lead a major global Windchill v13 Upgrade Project. This is a strategic program within the healthcare and life sciences industry, with high visibility and impact.

Our client is a global leader in healthcare solutions, providing end-to-end design, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain services to the life sciences sector. Their healthcare division partners with medical device, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, and consumer health companies worldwide, enabling the delivery of innovative therapies and technologies. With deep expertise in regulated environments and a strong focus on quality, compliance, and innovation, the client drives improvements across healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

This role supports a high-priority global program focused on upgrading and modernizing PLM systems while ensuring regulatory compliance and seamless enterprise integration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of a Windchill v13 upgrade, ensuring business continuity, platform modernization, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop detailed project plans and implementation schedules, incorporating PMBOK® standards and stakeholder requirements.
• Manage change control processes and oversee overall project execution and risk mitigation
• Serve as the escalation point for project risks and issues, applying structured problem-solving to resolve challenges.
• Oversee validation protocols and compliance deliverables in accordance with FDA, GxP, and 21 CFR Part 11.
• Collaborate with Quality Systems Managers, CSV leads, and PLM/PDM owners to validate BOM structures, ECN workflows, and product data governance.
• Ensure seamless integration between Windchill and SAP NSP/ECC systems.
• Manage vendor relationships, enforcing SoW/T&M terms, negotiating boundaries, and resolving conflicts between system integrators.
• Lead steering committees, executive reporting, RAID log ownership, and cross-vendor governance.
• Drive organizational change management (training plans, communications, adoption metrics).
• Oversee budget, financial tracking, project sizing, and forecasting.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree + 8 years, or Master’s degree + 6 years of related experience.
• 8+ years of experience leading IT projects of medium to large size in matrixed environments.
• Extensive experience in regulated industries, with strong exposure to validation.
• Deep knowledge of PLM platforms (preferably PTC Windchill), PDM processes, and Quality Management Systems.
• Skills & Competencies
• Vendor Management: proven experience with third-party vendors/SIs.
• Migration & Upgrade Experience: SaaS/cloud transitions, system upgrades, data migration strategies.
• Validation & Regulated Industry Knowledge: CSV/CSA, SDLC, and compliance frameworks.
• Communication & Governance: steering committees, executive reporting, RAID management.
• Change & Adoption Management: OCM for upgrades.
• Budget & Financial Tracking: cost sizing, forecasting, and financial control.
• Soft Skills: hands-on leadership style with an ability to influence and engage teams.
• Preferred Certifications
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• CSM / Advanced ScrumMaster
• Expertise in Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid, and DevOps methodologies
• Tools Proficiency
• Azure DevOps, ServiceNow, Smartsheets, MS Project