At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative planning initiatives and drive strategic workshops across functions.
- Company: Excelya, a dynamic health company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Join a passionate team with diverse projects and excellent employee experience.
- Other info: Be part of a young, ambitious team aiming to redefine excellence in healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in pharmaceuticals or related fields, with strong planning and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Join Excelya, where Audacity, Care and Energy define who we are and how we work. We believe in creating ambitious solutions and fostering an inclusive environment where collaboration and individual growth go hand in hand.
We are seeking a Senior Director - Planning Transformation & Portfolio Excellence to drive the design and implementation of planning capabilities across a major enterprise transformation program. Acting as a planning expert, you will lead cross-functional workshops, define scalable planning frameworks, and ensure alignment between business functions, governance structures, and portfolio management processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead multiple planning transformation workstreams and facilitate strategic planning workshops
- Design and implement functional planning frameworks, templates, governance models, and milestone structures
- Drive stakeholder alignment and decision-making across business functions
- Develop cross-functional dependency maps and planning standards to support scalable execution
- Translate workshop outcomes into implementation-ready deliverables for planning platform deployment
- Partner with business and technical teams to ensure planning solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with governance requirements
- Support pilot deployments and adoption activities for new planning processes and tools
- Advise senior leadership on planning maturity, portfolio governance, and operating model evolution
- Standardize planning practices across functions and contribute to broader transformation initiatives
- Mentor project management and planning resources involved in the program
Requirements
- Strong experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, or related industries
- Strong experience in drug development, portfolio management, project management, or planning transformation
- Proven track record leading cross-functional planning initiatives and strategic workshops
- Expertise in planning methodologies, portfolio governance, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), milestone frameworks, and operating models
- Experience with planning and PPM tools such as OnePlan, Planisware, Planview, Clarity, or Microsoft Project
- Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and influence senior stakeholders in complex environments
- Fluent English
Benefits
Why Join Us? At Excelya, we combine passion for science and enthusiasm for teamwork to redefine excellence in healthcare. Here's what makes us unique:
- We are a young, ambitious health company representing 900 Excelyates, driven to become Europe’s leading mid-size CRO with the best employee experience.
- Our one-stop provider service model - offering full-service, functional service provider, and consulting - enables you to evolve through diverse projects.
- Excelling with care means benefiting from an environment that values your natural talents, pushes boundaries with audacity, and nurtures your potential, allowing you to contribute fully to our shared mission.
Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation in London employer: Excelya
At Excelya, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and collaboration. As a Medical Safety Reviewer, you will not only engage in meaningful work that directly impacts patient safety but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through diverse projects and expert mentorship. Join us in our mission to redefine excellence in healthcare while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and nurtures your potential.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation at Excelya!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Excelya or be willing to refer you for that Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Excelya who’s on the lookout for their next Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation role at Excelya!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director Functional Planning & Transformation in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Excelya. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Excelya
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Excelya. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
