Associate Director of Major Projects and Change (Health and Life Sciences)

Join WSP’s Health and Life Sciences team as an Associate Director, leading complex, people-centred transformation for clients across health, life sciences and the wider public sector.

We are looking for an Associate Director to join our growing Major Projects and Change Advisory capability within Health and Life Sciences. This is an opportunity to take a senior role in shaping, leading and delivering complex transformation programmes that improve services, strengthen organisations and create better outcomes for the people and communities our clients serve.

You will bring proven project, programme and change management experience, combined with the confidence to advise senior clients, lead multidisciplinary teams and operate effectively in complex, regulated and fast-moving environments. As an Associate Director, you will take ownership of significant workstreams and client relationships, contribute to the growth of our advisory offer, and play an active role in bids, propositions, thought leadership and team development.

A little more about your role…

Major projects and programmes

• Lead significant workstreams within complex projects, programmes and transformation initiatives, taking responsibility for mobilisation, governance, planning, delivery, assurance and benefits management.
• Apply and tailor robust project, programme and portfolio management approaches, including Waterfall, Agile and Hybrid methods, to meet the needs of health and life sciences clients.
• Help clients translate strategy into deliverable plans, managing risk, maintaining momentum and driving measurable outcomes in complex operating environments.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client teams and stakeholders, providing clear, evidence-based advice and bringing confidence, judgement and structure to complex challenges.

Change management

• Lead the design and delivery of sustainable, people-centred change approaches, including change plans, stakeholder engagement, communications, training and adoption activity.
• Apply recognised change models and methods, such as Prosci ADKAR, Kotter and transition-based frameworks, in a way that is pragmatic, proportionate and relevant to each client context.
• Work with leaders, teams and stakeholders to build commitment, support adoption and embed new ways of working, with a focus on lasting impact for patients, staff, organisations and communities.
  

People and team contribution

• Lead, coach and develop junior colleagues, building confidence and capability across project, programme and change delivery.
• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture, sharing
  knowledge, setting high standards and helping others deliver excellent work.
  

Growth and market contribution

• Lead and contribute to bids, proposals and client presentations, bringing clear subject matter expertise, commercial awareness and strong written input.
• Identify opportunities to bring together WSP’s multidisciplinary expertise, helping to shape solutions that respond to client challenges and support business growth.
• Maintain a strong understanding of health and life sciences trends, using market insight to inform client work, propositions and thought leadership.

Thought leadership

• Contribute to thought leadership, case studies and market-facing materials that strengthen WSP’s profile in Health and Life Sciences and showcase the value of major projects and change advisory.
  

• Proven experience leading or delivering complex projects, programmes and/or change initiatives in health, life sciences, public sector or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong project, programme and change management capability, with the ability to bring structure, pace and pragmatism to complex client challenges.
• Confidence working in uncertain and fast-moving environments, developing practical solutions, making sound judgements and helping teams maintain momentum.
• Credibility with senior clients and stakeholders, with the ability to build trust, communicate clearly and support alignment across clinical, operational, commercial and regulatory contexts.
• Experience contributing to, shaping or leading proposals, bids, client development activity or new opportunities.
• Ability to lead, support and develop others, providing constructive feedback, coaching and guidance to junior colleagues.
• A collaborative and inclusive working style, embracing diversity of experience, background and perspective and contributing to a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• An interest in digital technologies and how they can enable transformation, improve services and create new advisory opportunities for clients.
  

What will set you apart…

• Consultancy experience leading major projects, programmes or transformation initiatives for health and life sciences organisations.
• Professional certifications or training such as APM PMQ, MSP, PRINCE2, Agile, MoR, MoP, Change Management or Prosci.