Associate Director Strategic Projects

General responsibilities

Chief of Staff and Executive Effectiveness

• Manage the rhythm of the business, including preparing agendas, presentations, briefing materials, and action items for leadership (HLC, SLT, ExCo) meetings, board reviews and town halls. Optimize the Global HEC BU Head’s time by acting as a strategic gatekeeper.
• Lead the annual and quarterly strategic planning processes. Track, monitor and report on key performance indicators, and organizational objectives in a structured manner to ensure cross-functional alignment and consistent follow up.
• Drive key HEC BU strategic projects by working through senior healthcare leadership (SLT, HLC). Act as a liaison among the leadership teams to streamline communication, drive collaborative initiatives and minimize organizational silos.
• Plan and facilitate SLT and HLC meetings ensuring preparation and logistics leading up to meetings are seamless, where content owners are briefed and well-prepared, action-minutes are taken, and follow-ups are implemented.

Strategic Projects and Healthcare Transformation

• Lead select projects linked to the Healthcare Transformation agenda, from problem definition and business case through implementation and benefits realization.
• Drive initiatives in priority areas related to commercialization models, organizational design and change management, AI-enabled ways of working, data analytics and insights, and process simplification and standardization.
• Coordinate cross-functional and cross-market project teams, managing dependencies, resources, risks, issues and decision points.
• Establish project governance and provide concise, progress reporting, escalate barriers early and recommend corrective action.
• Support strategic growth initiatives, including selected business development and M&A opportunities, due diligence, follow-up and integration activities, where required.

Functional skills and knowledge

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and conceptual skills; able to move from data and ambiguity to practical recommendations.
• Advanced project and programme management capability, including governance, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.
• Excellent PowerPoint and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas into clear frameworks and compelling stories for senior audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Sound business judgement and the ability to balance strategic perspective with hands-on execution.
• High proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams and SharePoint; practical understanding of AI and analytics applications in business is desirable.

Soft skills

• Integrity and sound judgement, with the discretion to manage sensitive and confidential matters.
• Humility and curiosity, with strong learning agility and openness to learn the business and challenge established ways of working.
• Entrepreneurial, action-oriented and focused on practical outcomes, while showing respect for governance and diverse perspectives.
• Collaborative and able to influence across a matrix without relying on formal authority. Able to drive effective execution through cross-functional teams.
• Highly organised, proactive and action-oriented, with strong attention to quality and consistently high standards. Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Flexible and resilient, able to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Clear ambition and interest in continued career development and personal growth with DKSH. Willingness and ability to undertake international mobility within three years.

Work experience

• 12-15 years of relevant work experience in strategy, transformation, management consulting, business operations, or a related field, with experience working with senior executives.

• Experience in pharmaceutical and healthcare industry is required

• Experience in strategic or management consulting is highly advantageous