Project and Performance Director, Operational Data Strategy

Location: Barcelona, Spain (3 days working from the office - 2 days working from home)

The Operational Data Strategy function is responsible for the strategic oversight on the collection, organisation, validation and analysis of operational data, combining advanced database and system capabilities with innovative data science methodologies to visualise data-driven decision making. The function is very visible to senior leadership teams and provides a warm team environment that thrives of innovative conversations, bringing the best out of each other and working as a team to deliver impactful work.

The Project and Performance Director reports to the Senior Director, Operational Data Strategy.

The Project and Performance Director is responsible for leading the delivery of strategic cross-functional operational data strategy projects and implementing a performance management framework to drive business impact. Collaborating closely with therapy areas, the role focuses on accelerating performance through value, speed, and quality.

Key responsibilities include:

• Driving execution of data-driven strategy projects to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Establishing and refining a performance management framework that enables transparent tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs). Working with other teams in Operational Data Strategy to ensure effective delivery of KPIs and metrics that provide a true impact to the business.
• Partnering with therapy areas to identify and implement opportunities for performance acceleration.
• Ensuring seamless integration of data insights into business workflows to maximize value and enhance operational speed and quality.
• Aligning cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation and strategic priorities.

This role requires strong leadership, analytical expertise, and a results-driven mindset to effectively transform data strategy into measurable business outcomes. This role will need to be able to negotiate, facilitate an insights driven story that is understood by a wide array of stakeholders at a senior leadership level.

The Project and Performance Director will have a strong background in Agile methodologies, utilising Atlassian tools such as Jira and Confluence. This role will manage a team who can effectively manage a portfolio of projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery and alignment with strategic objectives.

Typical Accountabilities

Data Strategy & Operational Delivery

• Lead the execution of operational data strategy projects using Agile methodologies to ensure iterative delivery and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the integration and utilization of data-driven insights to enhance decision-making and efficiency through performance management forums
• Apply Agile ways of working to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives, fostering adaptability and responsiveness to changing priorities.

Performance Management & Acceleration

• Design and implement a performance management framework that enables conversation and action with key senior stakeholder leadership teams from insight provided by key business metrics.
• Facilitate data-driven retrospectives and feedback loops to optimize performance and agility, both within the Operational Data Strategy team and beyond the team with the therapy areas.
• Collaborate with therapy areas to identify and implement strategies for performance acceleration through value, speed, and quality.
• Provide strategic recommendations and evidence-based insights to enhance operational effectiveness.

Agile Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with therapy area leads, commercial teams, procurement, finance and data analytics functions to align on priorities and ensure seamless execution of initiatives.
• Establish and facilitate cross-functional Agile ceremonies (e.g., stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives) to drive transparency and collaboration.

Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build credibility and influence in senior forums, effectively communicating complex data insights and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Deliver compelling presentations and storytelling, translating data insights into clear, actionable narratives for non-technical audiences.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to drive alignment, secure buy-in, and ensure decision-making is backed by robust data analysis.
• Act as a key liaison between operational teams, leadership, and external partners, ensuring a unified approach to data-driven performance management.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Foster a culture of innovation by exploring emerging trends and technologies in data strategy and performance management.
• Use Agile experimentation to test and refine new performance management approaches, ensuring continuous value delivery.