Director of Major Projects and Change (Health and Life Sciences)

Job Title: Director of Major Projects and Change (Health and Life Sciences)

Job Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Job Location Type: Hybrid

Job Contract Type: Full-time

Job Seniority Level: Director

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Shape the future of complex transformation and the growth of our advisory business.

As Director you will sit at the forefront of WSP’s major projects, programmes and transformation advisory capability within Health and Life Sciences. Your role focuses on leading complex, system wide change across areas such as digital transformation, service and clinical redesign, workforce and operational development, and organisational development. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, you will shape and lead programmes of change within highly regulated, ambiguous and mission critical environments. With accountability for both delivery excellence and commercial outcomes, the role combines strategic insight, deep advisory expertise and strong leadership to help clients realise measurable value from complex, people led transformation initiatives.

You will be responsible for building and leading Centres of Excellence in complex programme delivery and change management, setting standards and best practice that integrate analytical rigour with culture, leadership and behaviour. By developing high performing teams, applying outcomes led and people centred approaches, and contributing to thought leadership and business growth, the Director will help strengthen WSP’s advisory offer and reinforce its reputation as a trusted partner across the health and life sciences sector. Your role will be expected to closely collaborate with our infrastructure programme & project management teams to develop holistic approaches in best practice.

A Little More About Your Role…

Complex Projects and Programmes:

• Lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for complex project and programme management, establishing scalable, pragmatic standards, frameworks and best practice tailored to the needs of health and life sciences clients.
• Apply an outcomes-led approach to major project and programme delivery, selecting and tailoring appropriate methodologies including Waterfall, Agile and Hybrid models, within regulated, clinical and operational environments to maximise client value and address complex challenges.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, providing end-to-end guidance across complex projects and programmes, including set-up, governance, delivery model design, PMO/Transformation Office design, risk and benefits management, recovery of at-risk programmes and independent project and programme assurance.

Change Management

• Lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for change management, setting standards, frameworks and best practice that shape culture, influence behaviour and build leadership capability, enabling sustainable, people-led transformation across health and life science environments.
• Advise clients on people-centred change, applying outcomes-led approaches and recognised models such as Prosci (ADKAR), Kotter and transition-based frameworks to support leaders, navigate emotional transition and embed lasting cultural and behavioural change.

People Management

• Provide leadership, mentoring and capability development to build and sustain a high-performing, multi-skilled team delivering complex projects and programmes and the people side of change.

Commercial And Business Development

• Lead and support the development of new business proposals and tenders within the health and life sciences sector, providing subject matter leadership to shape compelling bid strategies, written submissions and client presentations.
• Proactively identify, lead and influence opportunities to collaborate across WSP’s broader service lines, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to shape and deliver high-value solutions that address complex client needs and drive sustainable business growth.
• Monitor emerging trends and industry developments in health and life sciences, using insight to inform strategy, advisory offerings and market positioning.

Thought Leadership

• Develop and publish thought leadership to enhance WSP’s profile in Health and Life Sciences and represent the business at industry forums and events to strengthen market presence and client relationships.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Strong track record delivering complex projects and programmes in health, life sciences and/or public sector, either in consulting or industry
• Ability to thrive in environments with high levels of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity, developing effective and innovative solutions at pace
• Expert understanding and practical application of project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) and change management principles
• Trusted advisor with the ability to build credibility with senior clients and align clinical, operational and regulatory stakeholders in complex health and life sciences settings
• Experience in developing new opportunities and winning work through trusted client relationships and leading bids
• A highly effective people leader with a proven ability to develop, inspire and motivate high-performing teams
• Embracing diversity of nationalities, cultures and perspectives. Demonstrates managerial courage. Provides “actionable” positive and constructive feedback to others in a respectful manner and encourages devolved, empowered leadership. Fosters a culture that generates long‐term learning, cooperation and development of capability. Guides, encourages and supports employees, peers and others in their development by providing feedback and encouragement so they can reach their full potential and achieve a higher level of performance
• An understanding and appreciation for digital technologies and how they will continue to impact how WSP delivers its services and design for the built environment. An ability to translate digitalisation into new services and delivery methods advise on solutions for clients

What Will Set You Apart…

• Experience ideally within a consultancy organisation leading major projects for a range of health and life sciences organisations.
• Professional certifications (APM PMQ/PPQ; MoP; MoR; MSP; PRINCE2, Agile, Change Management, Prosci etc.)

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

#AVY1

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

This job is curated by Lifelancer.

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