Project Director Jobs in New Jersey
Project Director jobs in New Jersey sit in one of the most active markets on the East Coast, with steady demand in pharmaceuticals, construction, healthcare systems, and state and federal infrastructure. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Newark, Jersey City, and the Princeton corridor, where large employers like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Becton Dickinson maintain significant operations and regularly bring on project directors at every level from program manager stepping up to senior director of enterprise delivery. The most in-demand specialties are clinical project management, capital construction, and IT program governance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Project Director jobs
No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #176966 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Role Summary
Reporting to the SVP, Breakthrough Innovation, Commercial Excellence, the Project Management Director partners with both core and breakthrough innovation teams in Enterprise Oral Care. The role can be based in our NYC or Piscataway, NY office. In this role you will act as the strategic bridge connecting Enterprise/Global Leadership, Divisional Marketing Brand Strategies, and Market Execution. You will drive organizational capability to maximize the success of core and breakthrough innovations, optimize end-to-end speed-to-market, and spearhead portfolio simplification across the division. Additionally, you will oversee resource allocation, financial budget management, and executive governance forums, while championing the "Funding the Growth" (FTG) program and enabling flawless, on-budget delivery of enterprise "Big Bet" initiatives to unlock the company’s 3+ year innovation pipeline.
Responsibilities
- Governance & Commercialization Management: Serve as the ultimate timeline keeper and gatekeeper for active innovation project execution flows, establishing corporate governance structures and facilitating forums like the Strategic Innovation Forum to guide enterprise "Big Bet" initiatives, New Product Developments (NPDs), relaunches, line extensions, and agile breakthrough projects from concept to market on time and on budget.
- Operational Excellence & Process Standardization: Create, align, and automate project steps, tools, and platforms from the ground up to speed up product launches, simplify teamwork across categories, and provide clear visibility and tracking for leadership.
- Financial Oversight & Portfolio Simplification: Direct the enterprise "Funding the Growth" (FTG) cost-optimization program and own the master financial budget and monthly spend tracker, while driving portfolio complexity matrix reviews and SKU harmonization to optimize spend, maximize efficiency, and support commercial strategies (RGM and 4Ps/7Ps).
- Cross-Functional Resource Leadership & Risk Mitigation: Strategically deploy project management resources and partner across global/divisional leadership, Hub execution teams, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, Customer Development, and Artwork teams to secure cross-functional alignment, resolve bottlenecks, and proactively unblock systemic launch risks.
- Capability Building & Change Management: Drive divisional change management regarding ways of working, establish process guidelines and training for cross-functional project teams, and institutionalize post-project reviews to ensure continuous operational improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management, B.A., B.S., or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Brand Marketing, Commercial Operations, Brand Commercialization, or Project Management within a CPG/FMCG organization.
- 5+ years of experience managing and developing project management/execution teams.
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept to launch
Experience leading post-project reviews and continuous improvement cycles
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred; professional Project Management certification (PMP or Agile) is a plus.
- Demonstrated expertise navigating complex CPG/FMCG matrix structures to influence and align Supply Chain, Regulatory, IT, R&D, and Financial strategies.
- Proven track record in financial management, including capital budget tracking, financial variance analysis, and leading "Funding the Growth" (FTG) cost-optimization programs.
- Hands-on proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Google Suite) and enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Veeva/CPS).
- Strong capability in leading change management, post-project reviews, end-to-end supply chain assessment, and process harmonization from scratch.
- Running or contributing to stage-gate or similar commercialization processes
Designing and rolling out new processes, ways of working, and tools
Ability to present to and influence cross-functional stakeholders
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 USD
Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.
Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.
#LI-On-site
No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number #176966 - Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.
Role Summary
Reporting to the SVP, Breakthrough Innovation, Commercial Excellence, the Project Management Director partners with both core and breakthrough innovation teams in Enterprise Oral Care. The role can be based in our NYC or Piscataway, NY office. In this role you will act as the strategic bridge connecting Enterprise/Global Leadership, Divisional Marketing Brand Strategies, and Market Execution. You will drive organizational capability to maximize the success of core and breakthrough innovations, optimize end-to-end speed-to-market, and spearhead portfolio simplification across the division. Additionally, you will oversee resource allocation, financial budget management, and executive governance forums, while championing the "Funding the Growth" (FTG) program and enabling flawless, on-budget delivery of enterprise "Big Bet" initiatives to unlock the company’s 3+ year innovation pipeline.
Responsibilities
- Governance & Commercialization Management: Serve as the ultimate timeline keeper and gatekeeper for active innovation project execution flows, establishing corporate governance structures and facilitating forums like the Strategic Innovation Forum to guide enterprise "Big Bet" initiatives, New Product Developments (NPDs), relaunches, line extensions, and agile breakthrough projects from concept to market on time and on budget.
- Operational Excellence & Process Standardization: Create, align, and automate project steps, tools, and platforms from the ground up to speed up product launches, simplify teamwork across categories, and provide clear visibility and tracking for leadership.
- Financial Oversight & Portfolio Simplification: Direct the enterprise "Funding the Growth" (FTG) cost-optimization program and own the master financial budget and monthly spend tracker, while driving portfolio complexity matrix reviews and SKU harmonization to optimize spend, maximize efficiency, and support commercial strategies (RGM and 4Ps/7Ps).
- Cross-Functional Resource Leadership & Risk Mitigation: Strategically deploy project management resources and partner across global/divisional leadership, Hub execution teams, Supply Chain, R&D, Regulatory, Customer Development, and Artwork teams to secure cross-functional alignment, resolve bottlenecks, and proactively unblock systemic launch risks.
- Capability Building & Change Management: Drive divisional change management regarding ways of working, establish process guidelines and training for cross-functional project teams, and institutionalize post-project reviews to ensure continuous operational improvement.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management, B.A., B.S., or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Brand Marketing, Commercial Operations, Brand Commercialization, or Project Management within a CPG/FMCG organization.
- 5+ years of experience managing and developing project management/execution teams.
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept to launch
Experience leading post-project reviews and continuous improvement cycles
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred; professional Project Management certification (PMP or Agile) is a plus.
- Demonstrated expertise navigating complex CPG/FMCG matrix structures to influence and align Supply Chain, Regulatory, IT, R&D, and Financial strategies.
- Proven track record in financial management, including capital budget tracking, financial variance analysis, and leading "Funding the Growth" (FTG) cost-optimization programs.
- Hands-on proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Google Suite) and enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Veeva/CPS).
- Strong capability in leading change management, post-project reviews, end-to-end supply chain assessment, and process harmonization from scratch.
- Running or contributing to stage-gate or similar commercialization processes
Designing and rolling out new processes, ways of working, and tools
Ability to present to and influence cross-functional stakeholders
Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 USD
Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.
Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.
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See All 29 Project Director Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Director JobsProject Director Jobs by City in New Jersey
Where New Jersey roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Director Job Market in New Jersey
A snapshot from current New Jersey openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Banking & Financial Services
What New Jersey Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project director jobs across New Jersey.
- Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the project type being managed
- PMP certification from the Project Management Institute is strongly preferred
- Seven or more years of end-to-end project or program management experience
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams on multi-million-dollar initiatives
- Proficiency with project management platforms such as MS Project, Smartsheet, or Jira
- Strong stakeholder communication skills and experience presenting to executive leadership
Project Director Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project director in New Jersey?
Most project directors in New Jersey reach the role by combining a bachelor's degree in a relevant field with the Project Management Professional credential from the Project Management Institute, which is the benchmark certification New Jersey employers consistently list. No state-issued license is required for project directors outside of construction, where New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs oversees contractor licensing for those managing construction projects directly. From there, employers expect a progression through project manager and senior program manager roles before promoting into director-level positions.
How much do project directors make in New Jersey?
Project directors in New Jersey earn a median of about $122,980 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,410 for the lowest 10% to over $190,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire project directors in New Jersey?
Employers hiring project directors in New Jersey right now include Systimmune, Precision for Medicine, and Precision Medicine, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. New Jersey's dense concentration of pharmaceutical headquarters, health systems, and defense contractors makes it one of the more consistent states for director-level project management openings year-round.
Which New Jersey cities have the most project director jobs?
Princeton, Gladstone, and Newark account for the largest share of project director openings in New Jersey. Newark and Jersey City draw heavily from financial services, healthcare, and infrastructure projects tied to the greater New York metro, while the Princeton and Parsippany areas reflect the state's pharmaceutical and life sciences corridor, where global companies headquartered along Route 1 and Route 202 generate consistent director-level demand.
Are there remote project director jobs in New Jersey?
Yes, and more than many senior roles, since project directors in technology, pharmaceutical, and financial services often manage distributed teams across multiple sites. About 82% of project director openings tied to New Jersey are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though on-site presence is typically expected for construction, facilities, and clinical trial roles where physical oversight is part of the job. The fully remote openings tend to concentrate in IT governance and enterprise transformation programs.
How can I get hired as a project director in New Jersey with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a project coordinator or junior project manager at one of New Jersey's large hospital systems, pharmaceutical companies, or state agencies, which regularly hire candidates with a bachelor's degree and a willingness to earn a PMP credential on the job. Employers like RWJBarnabas Health and Atlantic Health System run structured development tracks that move coordinators into full project manager roles within a few years. Building a portfolio of delivered projects and earning an associate-level PMI credential such as the CAPM is the credential that gives candidates without years of experience the clearest edge in New Jersey hiring.
Where can I find and apply to project director jobs in New Jersey?
You can find and apply to project director jobs in New Jersey on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 29 Project Director Jobs in New Jersey
Find roles in New Jersey that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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