Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London
Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement

Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London

London Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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Parexel

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a global team to enhance project delivery and governance in biopharmaceutical services.
  • Company: Join Parexel, a leader in transforming scientific discoveries into new treatments.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, company car, holidays, and top-tier benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global health while developing your career in an innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Business, Technology, or related field; PMP or similar certifications preferred.
  • Other info: Structured career pathway with support for professional development in a dynamic industry.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

When our values align, there's no limit to what we can achieve. Parexel is in the business of improving the world’s health. We do this by providing a suite of biopharmaceutical services that help clients across the globe transform scientific discoveries into new treatments. We believe in our values.

This role will work within our innovative Data & Technology group that continues to evolve to meet business needs, fuel Parexel's growth and enable improved support for stakeholders, including customers and ultimately patients, who will benefit from Parexel's integrated processes and systems.

This position will involve enhancing and developing an innovative, collaborative environment by leading an international team, partnering with senior peers, and working closely with an engaged senior leader. You will provide leadership for the project management team within D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement. You will ensure excellence in project delivery, portfolio governance, and execution of the company’s technology and business transformation initiatives.

You will be accountable for leading a global team of IT Project Managers, defining and maintaining standardised project and portfolio management frameworks, and ensuring that strategic investments are prioritised, governed, and delivered to agreed budgets and timelines to achieve measurable business value.

Key Accountabilities:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of global Project Managers, ensuring strong delivery discipline, stakeholder management, and adherence to methodology.
  • Set performance standards, coach PMs to improve project outcomes, and manage resource planning and allocation across the enterprise portfolio.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, honesty, transparency and continuous improvement.
  • Support PMs in resolving escalations, managing risks, and ensuring successful project delivery.
  • Ensure compliance with the enterprise portfolio governance model, including intake, prioritization, business case evaluation, and ongoing performance monitoring.
  • Contribute to yearly portfolio planning activities to generate yearly project delivery roadmaps.
  • Lead quarterly portfolio reviews, and strategic decision-making forums related to portfolio and roadmaps.
  • Partner with stakeholders to ensure portfolio aligns to business strategy, technology roadmap, and capacity constraints.
  • Provide visibility of portfolio performance, risk posture, financial status, and value realization to executive leadership.
  • Define, maintain, and continuously improve the project management methodology, lifecycle processes, templates, KPIs, and associated governance frameworks.
  • Drive adoption of tools, dashboards, and analytics to enhance visibility, predictability, and decision-making.
  • Develop and embed a standardized framework for portfolio management, including demand management, prioritization, dependency management, and value measurement.
Education:

Educated to degree level in Business, Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or an equivalent discipline. Professional certifications desirable: PMP, PgMP, PfMP, SAFe, MSP. Equivalent experience in enterprise project/portfolio management leadership also considered.

Skills:
  • Expert knowledge of enterprise project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid), governance structures, PMO best practices, and portfolio management principles.
  • Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with a track record of developing high-performing PM teams.
  • Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, including presenting to senior executives.
  • Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution; strong decision-making and prioritization skills.
  • High proficiency in project/portfolio tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, ServiceNow).
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs and portfolios in a matrix environment.
  • Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and value realization management.
  • Flexible, resilient, and adept at navigating ambiguity and organizational change.
  • Open and collaborative mindset, willingness to work as a team with integrity and transparency.
Knowledge and Experience:
  • Strong previous experience of leading PMO, project management, or portfolio management functions at enterprise scale.
  • Demonstrated experience delivering large, complex, multi-year programs across technology and business transformation.
  • Strong experience managing global or multi-geography teams in a matrixed environment.
  • Strong understanding of digital, data, and technology ecosystems, ideally within life sciences, CRO, or regulated industries.
  • Knowledge of GxP validation, or regulated technology environments desirable.

In return we will be able to offer you a structured career pathway and encouragement to develop within the role including awareness and understanding of the industry. You will be well supported and in return for your hard work you will be rewarded with a competitive base salary, bonus, company car or car allowance, holiday as well as other leading benefits you would expect with a top company in the CRO Industry.

Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London employer: Parexel

At Parexel, we are committed to improving global health through innovative biopharmaceutical services, and as a Senior Director in our Data & Technology group, you will thrive in a collaborative and dynamic environment. We prioritise employee growth with structured career pathways, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits, ensuring that our team members are well-supported and rewarded for their contributions. Join us in making a meaningful impact while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to transforming scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments.
Parexel

Contact Detail:

Parexel Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Director role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Parexel's values and recent projects. Show how your experience aligns with their mission to improve health. Tailor your responses to highlight your leadership skills and project management expertise.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your past successes in leading global teams and managing complex projects. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive results and foster collaboration.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Parexel team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London

Project Management
Portfolio Management
Stakeholder Management
Leadership
Agile Methodologies
Waterfall Methodologies
Governance Structures
PMO Best Practices
Financial Acumen
Risk Management
Communication Skills
Decision-Making
Resource Planning
Collaboration
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Director role. Highlight your leadership in project management and any relevant methodologies you've mastered.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve led teams, managed portfolios, and delivered projects on time and within budget.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value honesty and transparency, so don’t hesitate to share your unique approach to project management and how you foster collaboration within teams.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Parexel

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in project management methodologies like Agile and Waterfall. Brush up on your knowledge of portfolio governance and PMO best practices, as these will likely come up during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and mentoring teams. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a culture of accountability and collaboration in previous roles, as this aligns with the company’s values.

✨Understand the Business

Research Parexel’s mission and values, especially their focus on improving health through biopharmaceutical services. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can contribute to their goals and how you can support stakeholders effectively.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project management frameworks, and how success is measured within the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.

Senior Director, Project Management, D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement in London
Parexel
Location: London
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