Strategic Operations Lead

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all, Hunger for none' is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Strategic Operations Lead to drive the development, optimization, and delivery of our Cyber Security Architecture & Innovation platform. This role sits at the intersection of business, people, and cyber security, and is key to aligning our platform strategy with measurable business outcomes, scalable processes, global collaboration, and continuous value delivery. This role is essential in steering the platform within a global cybersecurity organization that focuses on security culture, stakeholder trust, and enabling the business through secure practices. In this role, you will help turn vision into action—driving strategic and transformative change and ensuring cross-squad, cross-regional alignment. You’ll be the operational force that helps our teams run smoothly and with agility, while keeping a sharp eye on outcomes, priorities, and collaboration.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and hands-on executor, with a passion for cybersecurity, and a deep understanding of organizational best practices.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Translate business needs and security objectives into platform and squad strategies that drive measurable outcomes, identifying and evaluating emerging trends, tools, and technologies to drive security architecture and innovation at the speed of the business.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of core business rhythms (e.g., quarterly planning, OKRs, QBRs), ensuring squads operate in an agile, adaptive, and value-driven manner, whilst identifying and removing blockers to team performance, collaboration, and delivery.
• Establish and manage governance frameworks, operational processes, and reporting routines.
• Lead business performance management, including dashboards, scorecards, and reporting for leadership, analysing organizational effectiveness and recommending enhancements to improve outcomes and capabilities.
• Build and manage well-defined and data-driven KPIs and success metrics to measure the effectiveness and impact of the platform.
• Partner with FinOps and Squad leads to manage platform budgets, forecasts, resource planning, and vendor spend tracking.
• Support workforce planning and hiring coordination in collaboration with HR and platform leadership.
• Serve as the connective tissue between platforms, squads, IT and the divisions, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performance culture across regions and functions.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to co-create secure, scalable solutions, and develop team capabilities through coaching, mentoring, and modern skill-building programs.
• Align product and platform decisions with clear, human-focused cybersecurity outcomes using Lead or support high-impact projects on behalf of the Platform Leader.
• Serve as a sounding board, trusted advisor, and force multiplier for the Platform Leader.

WHO YOU ARE

• 8+ years of experience in business management and operations, cybersecurity, leadership, or a similar strategic role.
• Demonstrable experience of driving strategy and managing delivery in the Cyber Security field is essential, with specific experience in the Security Architecture or Innovation fields being preferred.
• Exemplary strategic formulation, planning, and execution skills, with knowledge of forecasting, benchmarking, modelling, and scenario development tools and techniques.
• Strong consultancy skillset as an analytical thinker with the ability to extrapolate insights and corresponding actions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence, create consensus, and work effectively with all organizational levels across a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people coaching skills, with the ability to recruit, develop, and motivate a high-performing, cross-functional team.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SAFe, PRINCE2, or similar are a plus.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Fluent in English, verbally and written.

WHAT BAYER OFFERS YOU

As a modern employer, we take care of our employees and help them find a balance between career development opportunities and personal life planning. We offer our employees a wide range of career prospects, a modern working environment and competitive compensation. Bayer employees benefit from great employment conditions, such as:

• Competitive compensation package consisting of an attractive base salary and annual bonus.
• Individual bonus can also be granted for top performance awards.
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Private Healthcare, generous pension scheme and Life Insurance.
• Wellness programs and support.
• Employee discount scheme.
• International career possibilities.
• Flexible and Hybrid working.
• Help with home office equipment.
• Volunteering days.
• Support for professional growth in a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

We welcome and embrace diversity providing an inclusive working environment. The best possible work-life balance is of great importance to us, which is why we support flexible hybrid working model.

Bayer welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity/expression, family status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and without discrimination. We continue to progressively embrace and adopt actions to advance our Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) commitments and aspirations.

Bayer is committed to providing access and support for all individuals with disabilities and/or long term conditions - during the application process and beyond. Let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply.

At Bayer, sustainability is ingrained in our mission ‘Health for all, hunger for none’, driving our commitment to healthcare and agricultural innovation. We prioritise reducing our environmental footprint, enhancing our social impact, and ensuring sustainable business practices. As part of our team, you’ll have opportunities to contribute to various initiatives such as achieving climate neutrality across our facilities by 2030, to improving access to healthcare and nutrition to 100 million underserved people worldwide by 2030. Join us and be part of a culture that values innovation and empowers change, as we strive to shape a healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive world.

INTERESTED IN THIS VACANCY?

Are you looking for a new challenge? Apply online by sending us your resume and cover letter (in 1 document). Do you have a question, or do you want to learn more about the position? You can always contact Klazien Flapper.

Your application will consist of a personality questionnaire and an interview with the recruiter and hiring manager.

Do you want to work in a place where you can be just YOU? Your unique personality, background and talents help build a strong, diverse and inclusive Bayer. So join us! Be You, Be Bayer.