Associate Director, Operational Excellence

Role Summary

The Associate Director, Operational Excellence (Process Excellence Lead) enables the execution of senior leadership’s strategic priorities by translating direction into coordinated plans, disciplined governance, and measurable outcomes across the technology organization. The role drives organizational priorities, translating strategy into actionable execution, oversees priorities governance, prepares for key engagements, leads strategic initiatives, and fosters cross‑organizational relationships to support the executive leadership team. The ideal candidate will blend strategic vision and operational excellence to amplify the impact of the leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Assist in the development and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives; define priorities, success metrics, and execution horizons; ensure strategic intent is reflected in organization design, funding, and execution; monitor progress of organizational goals and provide regular updates to the executive team.
• Team and Capability Design: Assist in the design and evolution of a team structure aligned to the strategic imperatives; clarify roles, decision rights, and interfaces across the organization; develop hiring and capability roadmaps based on strategic needs.
• Operational Management: Design, define, and implement a revised governance framework across Data and AI to reorient the organization toward cross-functional collaboration; identify and resolve issues hindering progress; oversee organization-wide operational KPIs and processes to ensure visibility and preparedness. Includes disaster/crisis management, risk and compliance management, demand intake and capacity management, service metrics and hygiene factors, and capability maps; other initiatives as requested.
• Portfolio Insights and Optimization: Work with the PMO to derive insights and strategic plans for portfolio optimization; coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver key projects on time and within budget; drive visibility of the application portfolio including roadmaps, sunsetting, and decommissioning; vendor and contract management including assessment, rationalization, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Financial Governance: Establish budget and investment frameworks tied to value drivers; create visibility between spend, priority, and business impact; own end-to-end financial performance accountability; partner with finance and portfolio managers to set targets, manage budgets, and oversee forecasts; drive financial governance, trade-off decisions, and data-driven decision-making; identify financial risks and optimization opportunities; align financial priorities with global stakeholders and peer BTOs.
• Communication and Liaison: Serve as a trusted advisor to the VP and leadership team, ensuring effective communication and coordination among departments; harmonize stakeholder communications across Data and AI; establish a consistent communication model to share projects and portfolios; facilitate departmental reviews and communications of successes across the organization.
• Leadership, Culture and Team Development: Mentor and develop internal leaders to foster a high-performance culture; support recruitment, onboarding, and development of senior staff; design action plans from employee surveys and organizational insights in collaboration with leadership and culture teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 9 years’ experience; Master's Degree with 8 years’ experience; PhD with 4 years’ experience with a focus on IT projects and responsibilities to overall taking care of the financial part from planning to execution, is required.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to build trust, listen, and ask effective questions; able to influence without authority and manage expectations.
• Experience in analyzing financial data and preparing financial reports.
• Familiarity with procurement processes and procedures.
• Understanding of internal controls and governance standards.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or other tools.
• Interest in technology trends and application of technology to improve end user experience.
• Proven track record of effective project leadership and delivering results while self-managing time and priorities.
• Demonstrated competency in strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to influence executives.
• Innovative thinking and the ability to leverage past experience to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Manage and oversee a department budget of >$5MM.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to think, act, and communicate in advance.

Additional Requirements

• Working knowledge of IT pricing and contracting practices.
• Negotiation with IT suppliers and vendor/agency partners.
• Understanding of the pharmaceutical market including the roles of providers, patients, payers, distributors, and policy makers.