Implementation Workstream Lead m/f/d, For our client from the Pharma sector in Basel, we are looking for an experienced, motivated and open-minded Implementation Workstream Lead
Background: The Overall Implementation Lead is the central orchestrator responsible for the successful end-to-end rollout of the new customer engagement platform. As the leader of the Implementation Squads Workstream, you will provide strategic direction, managing its integrated plan, budget, and resources, and representing the workstream in key leadership forums. You will own the integrated Implementation strategy and master rollout plan, coordinating the sequence, timing, and dependencies for all affiliates and functions. A key part of this is to drive stakeholder alignment, acting as the primary point of contact for affiliate leadership and global stakeholders to ensure Implementation readiness, manage expectations, and communicate progress. You will also champion a "globally consistent, locally relevant" approach, establishing the process for managing local requirements and variations without compromising the core global solution.
As the primary driver of execution, you will provide cross-squad oversight for all Business Implementation Squads, ensuring they have clear plans and are executing effectively. This requires you to proactively manage all program-level risks, issues, and dependencies, driving resolution and owning the escalation path to leadership. To ensure a seamless transition from "build" to "live" operations, you will define, manage, and track the comprehensive 'go-live' readiness criteria and checklist. This is achieved by working in lock-step with the ECL, Business Process, and RDT (IT) workstreams to ensure all training, communications, and support plans are fully aligned and executed in time with the Implementation schedule.
The perfect candidate brings several years of experience in large-scale program deployment or hands-on project management, with a proven track record of managing technology implementation projects. Also we are looking for someone with an outstanding stakeholder engagement and communication capabilities, with a proven ability to foster trust and ensure clear, consistent communication with both local teams and central program leadership.
Your Tasks: - Hold accountability for the successful execution of the deployment plan in your assigned affiliate, including the on-time delivery of all local milestones from pre-launch to hypercare exit.
- Build and maintain a strong, trusted partnership with affiliate leadership and their project team, acting as their single point of contact and strategic guide.
- Lead the performance of the local implementation squad, ensuring the team is motivated, aligned, and effectively resolving all on-the-ground challenges.
- Manage the accurate tracking and reporting of all local business and technical readiness, and proactively mitigate all local risks and issues.
- Consider the local business continuity plan, ensuring that the cutover and go-live phases cause minimal disruption to critical business operations.
- Ensure the local change and training plan is delivered effectively, partnering with ECL and local champions to drive user adoption.
- Represent the affiliate's unique needs and challenges back to the central program, ensuring they are clearly communicated and appropriately addressed.
Your Profile: - University Degree in Business, IT, or a related field.
- 5-7 years of experience in large-scale program deployment or hands-on project management, with a proven track record of managing technology implementation projects.
- Experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry is strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of affiliate/local market operations, business processes, and culture.
- 3 years of matrix leadership of distributed teams; you must be able to lead and motivate a local squad without direct authority.
- A "roll-up-your-sleeves" mindset with a proven ability to identify, analyze, and resolve on-the-ground challenges and roadblocks in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain clear, consistent communication with both local teams and central program leadership.
- Hands-on experience in supporting the delivery of local training and change activities to drive user adoption.
- VACC mindset and an openness to new ways of working.
- Able to travel to affiliate/market sites as needed for key milestones (e.g., go-live).
- English fluent is a MUST, other languages are a big PLUS (e.g. French, Spanish, Italian, German)
Sounds like a great job?
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