Director of Major Projects and ; Health and Life Sciences

Role Summary

As Director, you will lead complex, system-wide change across health and life sciences, driving digital transformation, service redesign, workforce and operational development, and organisational development. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, shaping and leading programmes of change in highly regulated and mission‑critical environments. With responsibility for delivery excellence and commercial outcomes, you will combine strategic insight, advisory expertise, and strong leadership to help clients realise measurable value from people‑led transformation initiatives.

Complex Projects and Programmes

• Lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for complex project and programme management, establishing scalable, pragmatic standards, frameworks and best practice tailored to the needs of health and life sciences clients.
• Apply an outcomes‑led approach to major project and programme delivery, selecting and tailoring appropriate methodologies including Waterfall, Agile and Hybrid models, within regulated, clinical and operational environments to maximise client value and address complex challenges.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, providing end‑to‑end guidance across complex projects and programmes, including set‑up, governance, delivery model design, PMO/Transformation Office design, risk and benefits management, recovery of at‑risk programmes and independent project and programme assurance.

Change Management

• Lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for change management, setting standards, frameworks and best practice that shape culture, influence behaviour and build leadership capability, enabling sustainable, people‑led transformation across health and life science environments.
• Advise clients on people‑centred change, applying outcomes‑led approaches and recognised models such as Prosci (ADKAR), Kotter and transition‑based frameworks to support leaders, navigate emotional transition and embed lasting cultural and behavioural change.

People Management

• Provide leadership, mentoring and capability development to build and sustain a high‑performing, multi‑skilled team delivering complex projects and programmes and the people side of change.

Commercial and Business Development

• Lead and support the development of new business proposals and tenders within the health and life sciences sector, providing subject‑matter leadership to shape compelling bid strategies, written submissions and client presentations.
• Proactively identify, lead and influence opportunities to collaborate across WSP’s broader service lines, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to shape and deliver high‑value solutions that address complex client needs and drive sustainable business growth.
• Monitor emerging trends and industry developments in health and life sciences, using insight to inform strategy, advisory offerings and market positioning.

Thought Leadership

• Develop and publish thought leadership to enhance WSP’s profile in Health and Life Sciences and represent the business at industry forums and events to strengthen market presence and client relationships.

• Strong track record delivering complex projects and programmes in health, life sciences and/or public sector, either in consulting or industry.
• Ability to thrive in environments with high levels of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity, developing effective and innovative solutions at pace.
• Expert understanding and practical application of project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) and change management principles.
• Trusted advisor with the ability to build credibility with senior clients and align clinical, operational and regulatory stakeholders in complex health and life sciences settings.
• Experience in developing new opportunities and winning work through trusted client relationships and leading bids.
• A highly effective people leader with a proven ability to develop, inspire and motivate high‑performing teams.
• Embracing diversity of nationalities, cultures and perspectives. Demonstrates managerial courage, provides actionable positive and constructive feedback, encourages…