Executive Director, Strategic Projects Lead

This position is based in East Hanover, NJ and is not remote. Only local candidates will be considered; relocation is not provided. The role may require up to 20% travel, with working hours and travel expectations defined by the hiring manager.

About the Role

Reporting to the VP, Head of US Strategy & Execution, this role leads the US Strategic Projects team and is accountable for ensuring the highest-priority non-Reimagining Work US Commercial enterprise projects are framed, resourced, governed, and delivered through disciplined cross-functional execution with measurable business impact.

The ED, US Strategic Projects Lead is responsible for owning the strategic project portfolio delivery model, resource deployment across Directors, Associates, and Analysts, engagement standards, sponsor alignment, and quality control for strategic project outputs and implementation handoffs.

This role interfaces closely with senior leadership, including US LT project sponsors, Therapeutic Area and Functional leaders, and cross-functional leaders, while leading a core team of Strategy Engagement Leads and Associates to institutionalize a repeatable strategic-project delivery capability. The team will support up to four US strategic projects per quarter.

Responsibilities

• Define the US Strategic Projects operating model, engagement intake standards, staffing model, project cadence, stage gates, and quality bar.
• Select, scope, and mobilize priority strategic projects with sponsors, ensuring each has a clear problem statement, measurable outcome, decision path, and execution owner.
• Lead the portfolio of strategic projects, managing throughput, capacity, risks, dependencies, and leadership escalations.
• Guide Directors and project teams through ambiguous, high-stakes work requiring structured problem solving, data-backed recommendations, and cross-functional alignment.
• Ensure project outputs move beyond recommendations to implementation-ready roadmaps, KPIs, owners, and governance handoffs.
• Build internal strategy project capability and reduce reliance on external consultants for recurring strategic work.

Requirements

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Preferred: Advanced degree (Master of Science and/or MBA).

Experience

• 12+ years in strategy consulting, corporate strategy, enterprise transformation, commercial strategy, strategic operations, or large-scale program leadership.
• Proven ability to lead multiple high-profile strategic initiatives in a matrix environment with senior stakeholders and no direct authority over functions.
• Strong project portfolio leadership, executive communication, facilitation, problem framing, change navigation, and business impact orientation.

Desirable Experience

• Top-tier strategy consulting, pharma/healthcare strategy, commercial operations, AI/digital, or enterprise transformation experience.
• Experience working with senior leadership teams and translating strategy into measurable execution.

Pay

The salary for this position is expected to range between $236,600 and $439,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on relevant skills and experience. Upon joining, salary will be reviewed periodically, and the published range may change based on company and market factors.

Compensation includes a performance-based cash incentive and eligibility for annual equity awards.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, life, and disability benefits.
• 401(k) with company contribution and match.
• Generous time off package, including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.