Transformation and Strategic Projects Lead

Job details
**Employment Type**:
Full-Time
**Location**:
Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
**Job Category**:
Quality & Continuous Improv
**Job Number**:
WD30242482
**Job Description**:
What you will do
The Transformation & Strategic Projects Lead is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping and executing the strategic direction of transformation initiatives across EMEA. This role requires a unique blend of strategic acumen, change management expertise, financial understanding, and leadership capabilities to drive key Long-Range Plan (LRP) initiatives and transformative projects.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Transformation & Special Projects EMEA, you will partner with stakeholders at all levels to design and deliver strategies that align with and reinforce EMEA's LRP, financial targets, and KPIs.
How you will do it
Design innovative and financially sustainable strategies aligned with EMEA’s LRP, ensuring they drive growth and long-term organizational success.
Collaborate closely with finance teams to ensure all transformation initiatives are underpinned by rigorous financial analysis, cost efficiency, and alignment with key financial KPIs. Monitor budgets and resource allocation to deliver projects within financial targets.
Drive and oversee strategic change initiatives, ensuring clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and successful implementation. Develop robust change management frameworks to anticipate and address resistance while fostering an agile, adaptive organizational culture.
Leverage emerging technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for digital transformation and process improvement. Lead the adoption of cutting-edge tools to optimize operational efficiency and enhance customer experiences.
Develop a deep understanding of country-specific financial and business KPIs. Use this insight to guide transformation efforts and align strategic priorities with local market dynamics.
Identify opportunities to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance performance through financial benchmarking and best practice implementation. Develop and implement standardized processes to maximize resource effectiveness.
Establish clear KPIs to measure the progress and impact of transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with EMEA’s financial goals. Proactively assess risks, issues, and areas for improvement, creating actionable plans to address them.
Build strong, trust-based relationships with senior executives, departmental leaders, and external partners. Act as a trusted advisor, providing strategic insights and securing alignment for transformation initiatives to achieve financial and organizational objectives.
**What we Look for**:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Management, Finance, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
Certification or equivalent experience in change management is a plus.
Strong financial acumen, including expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, cost optimization, and understanding of key financial KPIs.
Proven experience leading large-scale transformation initiatives across diverse industries.
Familiarity with Lean methodologies, with qualification and/or implementation experience.
Advanced project management skills with a demonstrated ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate visionary concepts into actionable, measurable plans.
Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a track record of driving successful organizational change.
Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including collaboration with finance teams.
Strong knowledge of continuous improvement tools and techniques, including process mapping and value stream mapping.
Expertise in leveraging emerging technologies and driving digital transformation to enhance business performance.
Data-driven decision-making skills coupled with sound business judgment.
In-depth understanding of EMEA-specific industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
**Language proficiency**: English (essential).