WSP in the UK & Ireland
Director of Major Projects and Change (Health and Life Sciences)
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Director of Major Projects and Change (Health and Life Sciences)
Director – Advisory for Health and Life Sciences
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects, and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
Shape the Future of Complex Transformation in Health and Life Sciences
As Director, you will sit at the frontier of WSP’s major projects, programmes, and transformation advisory capabilities in the Health and Life Sciences sector. Your role focuses on leading complex, system-wide change across:
- Digital transformation
- Service and clinical redesign
- Workforce and operational development
- Organisational development
Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders, you will shape and lead programmes of change in highly regulated, ambiguous, and mission-critical environments. With accountability for both delivery excellence and commercial outcomes, the role combines:
- Strategic insight
- Deep advisory expertise
- Strong leadership
to help clients realise measurable value from complex, people-led transformation initiatives.
You will build and lead Centres of Excellence in complex programme delivery and change management, setting industry-leading standards that integrate analytical rigor, culture, leadership, and behaviour. By nurturing high-performing teams, applying outcome-led and people-centred approaches, and contributing to thought leadership, this Director will strengthen WSP’s advisory position as a trusted partner across health and life sciences.
Core Responsibilities
1. 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 practices tailored for the health and life sciences sector.
- Apply an outcomes-led approach to major project delivery, selecting and tailoring methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid models to address regulatory, clinical, and operational challenges.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, providing end-to-end guidance on:
- Project/programme setup and governance
- Delivery model design
- PMO/Transformation Office design
- Risk and benefits management
- Recovery of at-risk programmes
- Independent project assurance
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2. Change Management
- Lead the development of a Centre of Excellence for change management, establishing frameworks and best practices that shape culture, influence behaviour, and build capability.
- Advise clients on people-centred change, applying models such as:
- Prosci (ADKAR Framework)
- Kotter’s Change Theory
- Transition-based frameworks
- Enhance leader effectiveness and support sustainable change in health and life sciences.
3. People Management
- Provide leadership, mentoring, and capability development to build a high-performing, multi-skilled team specialising in complex projects and change.
4. Commercial and Business Development
- Lead and support new business proposals and tenders in the health and life sciences sector.
- Drive subject-matter expertise in bid strategies, written submissions, and client presentations.
- Proactively identify and lead opportunities to engage across WSP’s multidisciplinary service lines.
- Monitor emerging industry trends to inform strategy, advisory offerings, and market positioning.
5. Thought Leadership
- Develop and publish thought leadership to strengthen WSP’s profile in Health and Life Sciences.
- Represent the business at industry forums and events to enhance client relationships.
Key Requirements
To be successful, you will bring:
✔ Strong track record delivering complex projects and programmes in:
- Health
- Life sciences
- Public sector (consulting or industry backgrounds)
✔ Ability to thrive in ambiguous, high-uncertainty environments, driving innovative solutions at pace.
✔ Expertise in:
- Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management (P3M)
- Change management principles
✔ Experience as a trusted advisor able to:
- Build credibility with senior clients
- Align clinical, operational, and regulatory stakeholders
✔ Proven record in:
- Developing new business opportunities via client relationships
- Leading bids and securing work
✔ Exceptional people leadership, with a talent for:
- Developing, inspiring, and motivating high-performing teams
- Providing actionable, constructive feedback
- Fostering diverse, inclusive, and collaborative cultures
✔ Digital transformation awareness, with the ability to translate emerging technologies into client solutions.
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Preferred skills: ✔ Experience in consultancy leading major projects for healthcare/life sciences clients. ✔ Certifications such as:
- APM PMQ/PPQ
- MoP (Management of Portfolios)
- MoR (Management of Risk)
- MSP (Managing Successful Programmes)
- PRINCE2
- Agile & Change Management (Prosci)
What Makes You Stand Out?
At WSP, we welcome diverse talents. Your experiences might not perfectly align with our criteria—apply anyway. We’ll assess how your skills make you a great fit for the role and other opportunities!
Join our global team of 69,000+ professionals making a positive impact, and craft a career that’s uniquely yours.
Apply today.
About Us
WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, driven by a mission to create positive, long-lasting change in communities through:
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Inclusion
With 11,000+ professionals across the UK & Ireland, we balance local commitment with global expertise.
Why Work at WSP?
1. Work-Life Balance
- Hybrid flexibility: Work 2 days from home while collaborating in modern office spaces.
- "WSP My Hour": One hour daily for personal needs, with flexible make-up.
- Enhanced leave options: Part-time/flexible work, paid extra leave, flexible bank holidays.
2. Inclusivity & Belonging
- Diverse and authentic workplaces: Employees bring their "whole self" to their roles.
- Employee resource groups: Promote cultural inclusion and support.
3. Health & Wellbeing
- Virtual GP service: Access NHS or Irish Medical Council GPs anytime.
- Workplace adjustments for all needs.
- Gymflex membership discount (40% off annual gyms).
- Comprehensive menopause support.
- Thrive program: Tools for improving well-being.
4. Development & Growth
- Upskill freely: Training, mentoring, and career progression.
- Chartership opportunities: Invest in your professional future.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We firmly encourage applications from candidates regardless of:
- Sex
- Race
- Disability
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Gender reassignment
- Religion or belief
- Marital status
- Pregnancy/maternity/paternity
As a Disability Confident Leader, we will interview all qualified disabled applicants. Note your access needs in your application if adjustments are required.
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