Director, Technical Operations Strategy, Execution & Transformation

Scope of the role

The Technical Operations (TechOps) Strategy, Execution & Transformation Director is responsible for leading the governance and execution of the Technical Operations strategic portfolio, ensuring alignment between corporate strategy and operational delivery across a complex global manufacturing network.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technical Operations Officer, the role oversees a portfolio of transformation, operational excellence, network optimization, capacity expansion, product launch, and integration initiatives across internal manufacturing sites and external partners (CDMOs). The incumbent drives portfolio governance, resource prioritization, investment planning, and cross-functional coordination to ensure the successful delivery of strategic objectives while maximizing business value.

As a key advisor to the CTOO and Executive Leadership Team, the Director provides visibility into portfolio performance, risks, dependencies, and investment decisions, while leading a team of Project Managers and fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role may also directly manage selected critical strategic projects when required.

Success in this position requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, financial acumen, and a deep understanding of pharmaceutical operations, combined with expertise in Lean principles and transformation methodologies.

Your Role Program & Portfolio Management

• Manage strategic or highly complex projects directly when required.
• Partner with business leaders to support organizational readiness, stakeholder engagement, and adoption of strategic initiatives.
• Ensure project deliverables meet business objectives, compliance requirements, and operational expectations.
• Drive measurable business outcomes through the successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize projects within the portfolio in alignment with corporate strategy and stakeholder expectations.
• Continuously assess and optimize the portfolio to reflect changing business priorities, risks, opportunities, and operational needs.
• Define program roadmaps, governance structures, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure effective allocation and optimization of resources and investment expenditures.
• Coordinate execution across multiple manufacturing and technical sites.
• Identify, monitor, and proactively manage dependencies across programs, sites, and functions to minimize delivery risks.
• Maintain an integrated portfolio view, highlighting interdependencies, cumulative impacts, resource constraints, and opportunities for synergy.
• Facilitate trade-off decisions when priorities, timelines, or resource requirements compete.

Project Governance & Execution

• Maintain, enhance, and standardize project and program management practices across the organization.
• Ensure all projects are supported by robust feasibility assessments and business cases before approval.
• Implement governance frameworks that enable timely and informed decision-making while maintaining quality, compliance, and oversight.
• Monitor and report business benefits throughout the program lifecycle to ensure strategic investments achieve intended outcomes.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on project progress, financial performance, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Ensure project management tools, methodologies, and systems are effectively deployed and continuously improved.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to governance, project execution, and portfolio management processes.
• Partner with Finance to assess investment requirements, monitor portfolio expenditures, and provide financial analyses to support prioritization and strategic decisions.

Who You Are Education

• Master's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Project Management and/or Program Management certification is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Program and Project Management.
• Proven track record of leading complex, international, and cross-functional portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience managing interdependencies, competing priorities, and resource conflicts across organizational boundaries.
• Experience acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Proven leadership experience managing Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience within the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, manufacturing, or similarly regulated industries is highly desirable.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of Program and Portfolio Management methodologies.
• Advanced financial acumen, including portfolio budgeting, investment evaluation, forecasting, cost management, and financial impact assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, integrate, and manage dependencies across programs, functions, sites, and external partners.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Ability to leverage digital portfolio management tools, data analytics, and emerging technologies to enhance reporting, visibility, and decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and international environment.
• Solid understanding of Lean Management principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business alignment.
• Cross-functional collaboration and partnership building.
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement.
• Consensus building and negotiation across competing priorities.
• Team leadership and talent development.
• Decision-making and accountability.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Results orientation.
• Change management and organizational agility.

Key Relationships

Build effective delivery partnerships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Facilities & EHS, CDMOs, and other relevant functions to align dependencies, resolve competing priorities, and drive successful end-to-end program delivery.

Salary Range: €95000-€120000 The salary range indicated in this job posting represents the minimum and maximum average compensation for the position. The final offer will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, in accordance with EU Directive 2023/970 on pay transparency and pay equity .