Staff Augmentation Project-Based Contingent Staffing

    Transform critical projects into permanent capabilities with strategic staffing approaches that deliver immediate results while building long-term organizational strength.

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    Smart staffing strategies for complex project needs

    Not every staffing need fits neatly into a permanent hire or temporary contractor box. Many of your most critical initiatives—launching new quality systems, preparing for inspections, or implementing transformational changes—require a more nuanced approach. Our project-based staffing solutions bridge this gap, providing expert resources who can deliver immediate project results while helping you understand your long-term staffing needs.

    Think of it as "try before you buy" meets "get it done now." Our project-based professionals tackle your immediate challenges with the focused intensity of consultants but the embedded commitment of employees. As they work, both you and they can evaluate fit for potential permanent roles. If the match is right, you've found your next hire already trained and proven. If the project need was truly temporary, you've achieved your goals without long-term commitments.

    This strategic approach has helped dozens of organizations navigate critical transitions. We've placed project leads who became VPs of Quality after successfully implementing new QMS platforms. We've provided inspection readiness specialists who transitioned to permanent compliance roles. Most importantly, we've helped companies achieve critical project objectives while building their permanent teams intelligently, not hastily.

     

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    Immediate expertise without recruitment delays.

    Start your critical projects now with experienced professionals who can hit the ground running. While others spend months recruiting, you're already achieving milestones and evaluating long-term fit.

    Reduce hiring risk through proven performance.

    There's no better interview than watching someone excel at the actual work. Our project-based model lets you evaluate candidates through real deliverables, team dynamics, and cultural fit before making permanent commitments.

    Flexible pathways from project to permanent.

    Whether converting to permanent employment, extending for additional projects, or transitioning smoothly at project completion, our model provides options that traditional staffing approaches lack.

    Knowledge transfer that outlasts the project.

    Our project professionals don't just complete tasks—they document processes, train teams, and build capabilities that strengthen your organization regardless of their long-term status.

     

    Click to expand Project-based staffing roles we support

    Common project-based staffing scenarios include, but are not limited to:

    • QMS Implementation Project Lead
    • Remediation Program Manager
    • Inspection Readiness Director
    • System Validation Project Manager
    • Clinical Trial Rescue Specialist
    • Regulatory Submission Project Lead
    • Quality Transformation Leader
    • Post-Merger Integration Specialist
    • New Product Launch Director
    • Compliance Remediation Lead
    • Digital Transformation Manager
    • Facility Start-Up Director
    • Risk Management Implementation Lead
    • Bridge Executive Placement

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    Is it time to augment your staff? When project-based staffing solutions make sense

    Project-based staffing excels when you have defined initiatives with unclear long-term staffing implications. It's ideal for system implementations, remediation projects, new facility launches, or any transformational effort where you need expertise now but aren't sure if you'll need it forever.

    This model particularly benefits organizations in transition—post-merger integrations, rapid growth phases, or regulatory remediation scenarios. It provides the senior expertise needed to navigate challenges while giving you time to understand your permanent organizational needs. Many clients use project-based staffing as their primary method for evaluating senior hires, essentially extending the interview process through real work delivery.

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    Click to Expand A few frequently asked questions

    What is staff augmentation—and how does it work?

    Staff augmentation is a flexible workforce model where we provide full-time contracted professionals who work exclusively for your organization on a temporary basis. Unlike traditional consulting where advisors may serve multiple clients simultaneously, our staff augmentation consultants operate as specialized contractors that integrate directly into your team—following your processes, reporting to your management, and focusing solely on your priorities. This arrangement gives you immediate access to specialized expertise without the administrative burden, recruitment delays, and long-term commitment of permanent hiring.

    Our staff augmentation process follows these key steps:

    1. Needs Assessment: We begin with a detailed discussion of your requirements, including technical skills, experience level, project scope, timeline, and any specific certifications or backgrounds needed.
    2. Resource Selection: Our recruitment team identifies candidates from our network of thousands of consultants, including hundreds of former FDA personnel, who match your specific requirements. We present only the most qualified candidates (typically 1-2) for your consideration.
    3. Interviews and Selection: You interview the presented candidates and select the professional who best fits your needs. There's no obligation to proceed with any candidate who doesn't meet your expectations.
    4. Onboarding: Once selected, the consultant is quickly onboarded to your organization. They become integrated into your team, using your systems and following your processes.
    5. Management and Support: While you direct the day-to-day activities of the consultant, our account management team provides ongoing support to ensure your satisfaction throughout the engagement.
    6. Flexibility: The engagement can be extended, scaled, or concluded based on your evolving needs, with no long-term commitment required.

    What are the advantages of augmenting my staff?

    Staff augmentation offers several key advantages for drug, device, biologic, biotech, and others in the FDA-regulated industries:

    • Immediate Access to Expertise: Gain specialized skills right away—without the 3-6+ month recruitment timeline typically required for quality roles.
    • Flexibility: Scale your team up or down based on workload fluctuations without the administrative burden of hiring and layoffs.
    • Cost Efficiency: Avoid expenses associated with permanent employees, including benefits, training costs, office space, and technology.
    • Risk Reduction: Test-drive your position's roles and responsibilities before committing to permanent hires, reducing the risk of misaligned job descriptions.
    • Knowledge Transfer: Benefit from best practices and specialized expertise that contracted professionals bring from their experience across multiple organizations.
    • Focus on Core Activities: Let your permanent team concentrate on strategic priorities while contracted resources handle specific projects or workload surges.

    How do I know if staff augmentation is the optimal model?

    Staff augmentation is typically ideal in the following scenarios—however there are many more than this:
    • Temporary Gaps: When you need to fill critical positions quickly during transitions, leaves of absence, or unexpected departures.
    • Project-Based Needs: When timelines don't justify permanent headcount, such as remediation activities, system implementations, or facility startups.
    • Specialized Expertise: When you require specialized skills that aren't needed continuously but are critical for specific phases or projects.
    • Headcount Restrictions: When budget constraints or hiring freezes prevent permanent additions despite workload demands.
    • Uncertain Duration: When the timeline for resource needs isn't clearly defined, making the flexibility of staff augmentation particularly valuable.
    • Skill Validation: When you want to validate job descriptions and responsibilities before committing to permanent hires.

    If you're unsure whether staff augmentation is right for your situation, our account managers can help you evaluate your specific needs and recommend the most appropriate resourcing model. We do it all the time. Contact us.

    What industries and therapeutic areas do you staff into?

    We specialize in the FDA-regulated life science and medtech industries listed below. We also support Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and other service providers within these sectors. Our exclusive focus on FDA-regulated industries ensures that our consultants understand the unique regulatory requirements, quality standards, and compliance expectations specific to these sectors. This specialization allows us to provide resources who can contribute effectively from day one, without the learning curve typically associated with generalist staffing firms whose recruiters typically don't come from the industries they're hiring into.

    • Pharmaceuticals
      • Rx (Prescription) Drugs
      • Generic Drugs
      • Combination Products
      • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
      • Compounding Drug Products (including 503B facilities)
      • Orphan Drugs (for rare diseases)
      • Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
      • Radiopharmaceuticals
    • Medical Devices/Medtech
      • Diagnostics
      • Surgical Instruments
      • Implantable Devices
      • Wearable Medical Devices
      • Dental Devices
      • Ophthalmic Devices
      • Orthopedic Devices
      • Cardiovascular Devices
      • Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs)
      • Software as a Medical Device (SaMD)
      • In Vitro Diagnostic Devices (IVDs)
    • Biologics
      • Biosimilars
      • Vaccines
      • Blood and Blood Components
      • Allergenic Products
      • Peptides
      • CAR T-Cell Therapies
      • Tissue-Engineered Products
      • Monoclonal Antibodies
      • Cell and Gene Therapy
      • Stem Cell-Based Products
      • Recombinant Therapeutic Proteins

    What is the typical timeframe to bring on a staff augmentation resource?

    Once your requirements are defined, we typically present qualified candidates within 3-5 business days—often much faster—sometimes virtually immediately. After selection, most consultants can begin within 1-2 weeks, depending on their availability and any onboarding requirements specific to your organization. For urgent needs, we can often accelerate this timeline, particularly for common quality roles.

    What if the consultant or contractor isn't a good fit for our team?

    While our 95% first-time success rate demonstrates our ability to match the right resource to your needs, we understand that not every placement works perfectly. If you're not satisfied with a consultant's performance or fit, we'll work promptly to address your concerns or provide a replacement under our Total Quality Guarantee. Our goal is your complete satisfaction with every placement.

    What should I prepare for our initial discussion?

    To make our initial conversation as productive as possible and help us identify the perfect resource for your needs, consider preparing the following information:

    • Role Description: A brief outline of the position you need to fill, including key responsibilities and deliverables. If you have a formal job description, that's helpful but not required.
    • Required Experience: Specific industry experience, technical skills, or regulatory knowledge the ideal candidate should possess.
    • Project Scope: For project-based needs, a summary of the project scope, key milestones, and expected timelines.
    • Timing Considerations: Your ideal start date and the expected duration of the engagement.
    • Location Requirements: Whether the role requires on-site presence (and where), can be performed remotely, or requires a hybrid approach.

    Don't worry if you don't have all of this information prepared! Our account managers are skilled at asking the right questions to understand your needs. The more context you can provide initially, the more efficiently we can identify the ideal resource for your specific situation.

    I'm interested—what's the first step I should take?

    We make this very easy. The first step is simply to contact us for an initial conversation about your specific needs. Complete the form at the bottom of this page, and a dedicated account manager will reach out to you within one business day (often within hours) to discuss your requirements.

    During this initial conversation, we'll discuss:

    • The specific role or expertise you're seeking
    • Your timeline and duration requirements
    • Technical skills and experience levels needed
    • Your budget considerations
    • Industry-specific requirements
    • Location preferences (on-site, remote, or hybrid)

    After understanding your needs, we'll quickly identify suitable candidates from our network and present them for your consideration. There's no obligation to proceed, and we're happy to refine our search based on your feedback.

    The entire process is designed to be simple and responsive, with our team handling all the details to connect you with the right quality professional as quickly as possible.

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    Why work with The FDA Group?

     
    • Exclusive life science focus and expertise
    • Dedicated account management team
    • Right resource, first time (95% success)
    • 97% client satisfaction
    • Total Quality Guarantee

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    Case Study QMS Remediation Through Staff Augmentation

    The FDA Group helped a multinational pharmaceutical company eliminate its deviation and CAPA backlogs while implementing systemic quality improvements. Our team of 17 specialists tackled remediation activities, provided staff training, and ensured continuity of improvements across their QMS. The project was completed on time and under budget, restoring the company's compliance status without disrupting operations.

    Read the case study (PDF) »

    Case Study Long-Term Quality System Staff Augmentation

    Learn how The FDA Group partnered with a large clinical service company to manage its QMS remediation efforts and fulfill long-term staffing assignments for two vital roles in the management of the company’s quality and pharmacovigilance functions. This case study demonstrates the value of our convenient, cost-effective staff augmentation model as a means of circumventing the administrative costs and burdens of traditional hiring.

    Read the case study (PDF) »

    Our Proven Process

    Introductory Conversation

    • About Us
    • About You
    • Scope Of Work

    Resources Definition

    • Background And Expertise
    • Location Of Resource
    • Rate Rightsizing

    Proprietary Resource Selection Process

    • In-House Subject Matter Experts
    • Recruiting Team External Search
    • Resource Identification

    Resource Presentation

    • CV And Rate
    • Perfect Match Summary
    • Interview Call Coordination

    Agreement Processing

    • MSA And Addendums
    • Supplier Qualification
    • Kickoff Coordination

    Account Management

    • Project Management Of Resource
    • Satisfaction Management For Client
    • Total Quality Guarantee

    Start the conversation Let's connect about your specialized contingent staffing needs

    Ready to discuss your specialized contingent staffing requirements? We're here to help. When you submit this form, a dedicated account manager will review your needs and contact you within one business day—often within hours. Your information remains strictly confidential and is used solely to match you with the right quality resource for your specific requirements.