Parexel is in the business of improving the world’s health. We do this by providing a suite of biopharmaceutical services that help clients across the globe transform scientific discoveries into new treatments.  We believe in our values, Patients First, Quality, Respect, Empowerment & Accountability.

This role will work within our innovative Data & Technology group that continues to evolve to meet business needs, fuel Parexel's growth and enable improved support for stakeholders, including customers and ultimately patients, who will benefit from Parexel's integrated processes and systems.

This role will be based in the UK and can be fully home based. This position will involve enhancing and developing an innovative, collaborative environment by leading an international team, partnering with senior peers, and working closely with an engaged senior leader.

As the Senior Director Project Management, you will provide leadership for the project management team within D&T - Business Engagement & Enablement. You will ensure excellence in project delivery, portfolio governance, and execution of the company’s technology and business transformation initiatives. You will be accountable for leading a global team of IT Project Managers, defining and maintaining standardised project and portfolio management frameworks, and ensuring that strategic investments are prioritised, governed, and delivered to agreed budgets and timelines to achieve measurable business value.

Key Accountabilities:

Project Management Leadership & Line Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of global Project Managers, ensuring strong delivery discipline, stakeholder management, and adherence to methodology.

• Set performance standards, coach PMs to improve project outcomes, and manage resource planning and allocation across the enterprise portfolio.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, honesty, transparency and continuous improvement.

• Support PMs in resolving escalations, managing risks, and ensuring successful project delivery.

Enterprise Portfolio Management

• Ensure compliance with the enterprise portfolio governance model, including intake, prioritization, business case evaluation, and ongoing performance monitoring.

• Contribute to yearly portfolio planning activities to generate yearly project delivery roadmaps.

• Lead quarterly portfolio reviews, and strategic decision-making forums related to portfolio and roadmaps.

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure portfolio aligns to business strategy, technology roadmap, and capacity constraints.

• Provide visibility of portfolio performance, risk posture, financial status, and value realization to executive leadership.

Ownership of Project & Portfolio Management Standards

• Define, maintain, and continuously improve the project management methodology, lifecycle processes, templates, KPIs, and associated governance frameworks.

• Drive adoption of tools, dashboards, and analytics to enhance visibility, predictability, and decision-making.

• Develop and embed a standardized framework for portfolio management, including demand management, prioritization, dependency management, and value measurement.

Education:

• Educated to degree level in Business, Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or an equivalent discipline.

• Professional certifications desirable: PMP, PgMP, PfMP, SAFe, MSP.

• Equivalent experience in enterprise project/portfolio management leadership also considered.

Skills:

• Expert knowledge of enterprise project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid), governance structures, PMO best practices, and portfolio management principles.

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with a track record of developing high-performing PM teams.

• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, including presenting to senior executives.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution; strong decision-making and prioritization skills.

• High proficiency in project/portfolio tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, Jira, Smartsheet, MS Project, ServiceNow).

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional programs and portfolios in a matrix environment.

• Strong financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and value realization management.

• Flexible, resilient, and adept at navigating ambiguity and organizational change.

• Open and collaborative mindset, willingness to work as a team with integrity and transparency.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Strong previous experience of leading PMO, project management, or portfolio management functions at enterprise scale.

• Demonstrated experience delivering large, complex, multi-year programs across technology and business transformation.

• Strong experience managing global or multi-geography teams in a matrixed environment.

• Strong understanding of digital, data, and technology ecosystems, ideally within life sciences, CRO, or regulated industries.

• Knowledge of GxP validation, or regulated technology environments desirable.

In return we will be able to offer you a structured career pathway and encouragement to develop within the role including awareness and understanding of the industry.  You will be well supported and in return for your hard work you will be rewarded with a competitive base salary, bonus, company car or car allowance, holiday as well as other leading benefits you would expect with a top company in the CRO Industry.

Apply today to begin your Parexel journey!

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