Head of Business Operations - PTE

About the role

Roche is hiring a Head of Business Operations for its PTE unit (Pharma Technical Operations Digital and Operational Excellence) in Madrid. PTE builds digital and lean operations across Pharma Technical Operations and sits on the PTE Leadership Team. The role reports directly to the Global Head of Digital, Data, AI and Operational Excellence and is accountable for the execution, adoption and operational stability of PTE's initiatives. It leads a diverse organization covering governance, organizational change management, project execution and capability building.

Key responsibilities

• Act as PTE Chief of Staff, ensuring strategic alignment, streamlined execution of leadership priorities and effective operation of the PTE Leadership Team.
• Manage the Digital Innovation Board, governing digital and operational excellence initiatives and improving transparency, resource optimization and cross-functional synergy.
• Lead a team of organizational change management professionals, mitigating adoption risks and applying methods such as Prosci and ADKAR.
• Build and lead a project and portfolio management office, including project managers, program managers and scrum masters.
• Sponsor and lead AcademyX, defining skill requirements and standardizing processes.
• Lead and oversee the administrative assistants for PTE.

Required profile

• Proven executive leader with a history of shaping enterprise-wide strategy.
• Recognized practitioner of the VACC executive model (Visionary, Architect, Coach, Catalyst).
• Master's degree (BS/BA) in Business, Engineering or a related field; an MBA is highly desirable.
• Certifications in Lean, Six Sigma or Operational Excellence are desirable.
• 15+ years leading multi-disciplinary teams in highly regulated industries such as biopharma or life sciences.

Required skills

• Strategic and systems thinking, bridging strategy and operational reality across the E2E Pharma ecosystem.
• Authentic influence: collaboration across matrixed functions and building consensus without formal authority.
• Knowledge of change methodologies such as Prosci and ADKAR.