What the Director, Transformation Enterprise Program Office does at Worldwide

This is an opportunity to help a world-class specialty Contract Research Organization (CRO) bring its deep scientific expertise to new customers and new markets. The Director, Transformation Enterprise Program Office is a pivotal role within the Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO). This position acts as the strategic partner and driving force for a dedicated portfolio of EPMO projects.

Each lead has a distinct area of deep expertise:

Change Management: Focused on organizational readiness, stakeholder engagement, and adoption of new processes and tools.

Contract Research Organization (CRO) Operations: Focused on enabling underlying process and technology improvements in a CRO context.

Technology Delivery: Focused on guiding project teams to implement new technology across the enterprise.

Each Portfolio Lead will own and manage a portfolio of high-impact initiatives within their area of expertise, serving as the single point of contact for project teams. They will drive proactive planning, problem-solving, capability building, and progress tracking to ensure the successful execution and value realization of the portfolio.

While each role has a dedicated focus area, the Portfolio Leads will operate as a cohesive team, collaborating to align their portfolios, share insights, resolve cross-cutting issues, and contribute to the overall success of the EPMO. A Portfolio Lead may have direct reports. This team-based approach ensures that projects benefit from multidisciplinary expertise and a unified approach to execution.

The ideal candidate is a master facilitator, strategist, and coach with deep expertise in their domain (Change Management, CRO Operations, or Technology Implementation), a strong track record of navigating complexity, and the ability to support and enable project leaders to succeed.

What you will do

• Serve as the single point of contact for all projects within the assigned EPMO portfolio

• Proactively engage with and support project teams to monitor progress and ensure the successful delivery of intended value and outcomes

• Collaborate with Project Leaders to refine overall project plans, including the establishment of critical milestones and success metrics

• Identify, analyze, and help resolve significant blockers to project success, such as lack of stakeholder alignment, fear of change, organizational capability gaps, etc.

• Prepare and develop clear, concise documentation for executive- and board-level governance meetings

• Lead comprehensive post-mortems to capture lessons learned and foster a culture of continuous improvement

• Integrate the assigned portfolio of projects into the overall EPMO, ensuring alignment with broader enterprise objectives

• Coach and mentor Project Leaders on best practices for executing successful, high-impact projects

• Champion and guide the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into project methodologies and solutions

• Act as a key enabler of critical resources and support to Project Leaders, including access to expert interviews, targeted research, and analytical support

• May supervise direct reports, supporting their performance and development

• Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

What you bring to the role

• Exceptional leadership and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence, motivate, and align cross-functional teams toward a common vision

• Advanced strategic thinking, capable of synthesizing complex information and developing actionable plans that drive enterprise value

• Outstanding communication abilities, both written and verbal, with a proven aptitude for preparing executive-level documentation and delivering high-impact presentations

• Superior problem-solving and critical thinking skills, able to anticipate risks, analyze challenges from multiple perspectives, and implement effective solutions quickly

• Strong organizational acumen, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize competing demands in a dynamic environment

• Deep proficiency in project and portfolio management methodologies, Transformation Office techniques, tools, and best practices

• High emotional intelligence and the ability to foster a culture of trust, engagement, and continuous improvement

• Change management expertise, with a knack for guiding organizations through ambiguity and transformation

• Flexible and adaptable, thriving in fast-paced, evolving environments, and embracing opportunities to innovate and learn

• Technological curiosity and literacy, especially as it relates to emerging trends in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation

Your experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree or certifications in Agile, Change Management, or Lean Six Sigma are a plus

• Minimum of 5 years of Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Life Sciences experience

• Minimum of 12 years of experience in strategy execution, business transformation, digital program management, portfolio management, software technology implementation, change management, or a similar role within a large-scale EPMO or Transformation Office

• Proven track record of managing a portfolio of complex projects and achieving strategic objectives

• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex organizational and project-related challenges

• Strong executive presence with experience presenting to and communicating with senior leadership

• Expertise in change management principles and their practical application in a corporate environment

• Exceptional coaching, mentoring, and influencing skills

• Adept at navigating complex global organizations

• Familiarity with AI concepts and their application in business is highly desirable

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to influence and align stakeholders from frontline teams to executive leadership

Promotion to the next level is not automatic based on years of experience. Personnel are evaluated on proven competency, level of responsibility, and ability to work independently.