At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a strategic program management office for digital transformation in patient solutions.
- Company: Join UCB, a global biopharmaceutical leader focused on neurology and immunology.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Work with diverse teams and external partners to deliver high-quality outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care while driving innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in complex program management and strong experience in life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Make your mark for patients. We are looking for a Head of Strategic Program Management Office who is strategic, collaborative and delivery-focused to join our Patient Solutions team, based in Belgium or the United Kingdom, with Belgium preferred.
About the role:
- You will establish and lead the program management office for a highly visible enterprise digital transformation across Patient Solutions.
- You will create portfolio-level visibility across eight interconnected workstreams and multiple projects, enabling disciplined prioritization, stronger decisions and measurable value.
- Acting as a trusted partner to senior leaders, you will connect strategy to execution, strengthen vendor accountability and help the organization move from tactical coordination to sustainable, outcome-focused delivery.
Who you'll work with:
- You will be working in a team that brings together Patient Solutions leadership, research, digital, data, finance, strategy and enterprise architecture colleagues.
- You will lead an initial team of three to four direct reports, while coaching and influencing a broader network of project managers and workstream leads.
- You will also partner closely with external vendors and consulting teams to ensure aligned, high-quality delivery across a global portfolio.
What you'll do:
- Build and lead the program management office operating model, governance cadence, standards, templates and reliable single source of truth.
- Integrate plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, resources and decisions across eight workstreams and multiple projects.
- Provide concise portfolio insights that support rapid prioritization, resource allocation and evidence-based decisions by senior leadership.
- Track delivery, budget, vendor performance, benefits and value through clear executive dashboards, reporting and proactive escalation.
- Challenge and support workstream leaders to connect deliverables and performance measures to strategic outcomes and highest-value priorities.
- Lead and develop the core team, while coaching project managers and strengthening sustainable program delivery capabilities across the portfolio.
Interested? For this role we're looking for the following education, experience and skills:
- Proven leadership of a complex program management office or enterprise portfolio with multiple interdependent workstreams and senior stakeholders.
- Strong pharmaceutical or life-sciences experience, ideally within research, research operations or a closely related scientific environment.
- Demonstrated digital and data transformation experience, including governance, strategic planning, risk management and organizational change.
- Experience managing external vendors, budgets, performance measures, benefits realization and executive-level reporting or dashboards.
- People leadership experience, with the ability to coach teams, influence without formal authority and constructively challenge senior stakeholders.
- Fluent English, strong analytical communication skills and confidence operating in evolving, ambiguous and globally connected environments.
Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!
About us:
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9,000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.
Why work with us?
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.
At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.
UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on.
Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.
Head of Strategic Program Management Office in Princes Risborough employer: Ucb Group
UCB is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are encouraged to push boundaries and create meaningful value for patients. Located in Slough, our hybrid-first approach allows for flexibility while working alongside experienced scientists in a supportive environment that prioritises personal growth and career development. Join us to be part of a team that values inclusivity and empowers you to make your mark in the biopharmaceutical industry.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Program Management Office in Princes Risborough
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Program Management Office in Princes Risborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
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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 Ucb Group. 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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Ucb Group
✨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!
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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.
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