ELEVATE Implementation Squad Lead

Start Date: Oct/Nov 2026
End Date: 15-18 month contract (with the option of extension)
Workload: 100% with 40h/week
Location: Basel
Workmodel: Contracting
Info: travel activity significant at least 1 x per month. France, Spain and Basel mostly 

Your responsibilies

As the Implementation Squad Lead, you are ultimately accountable for the complete and successful "go-live" of the new Customer Engagement platform within your assigned affiliate. Partnering with the RDT (IT) Implementation squad lead, you own the end-to-end local execution, from readiness and risk management to ensuring a seamless transition for all end-users.

• Hold accountability for the comprehensive readiness and successful deployment of the ELEVATE program within assigned affiliates including the on-time delivery of all local milestones from pre-launch to hypercare exit.
• Serve as the strategic partner and trusted primary point of contact for senior leadership, providing guidance to the program sponsor and lead.
• Act as a vital bridge, advocating for the unique needs and perspectives of the affiliate or global function back to the central program.
• Own the identification of risks and ensure the development and execution of robust mitigation strategies.
• Function as the final authority for the squad, orchestrating the end-to-end journey and experience with ELEVATE across the organization.
• Ensure the effective delivery of the change initiative, including the seamless adoption of newly harmonized business workflows.
• Drive maximum value realization and user engagement to optimize the local impact of the program.
• Prioritize business continuity to ensure minimal disruption during the transition to the future operating model.
• Ensure that squad activities align with global standards set by the PMO and Engagement, Change & Learning Center of Excellence (COE) to provide a unified stakeholder experience.
• Coordinate with other global and local initiatives within the geography to synergize efforts and enhance overall program effectiveness.
• Lead the performance of the program implementation squad, ensuring the team is motivated, aligned, and effectively resolving all on-the-ground challenges.

Your Profil:

Success in this role requires a highly pragmatic and hands-on implementation manager who thrives on execution and is skilled at building strong relationships. You are the critical link between the global program's strategy and the local market's reality, requiring a blend of project management rigor, diplomacy, and a relentless focus on solving problems.

• Education: University Degree in Business, IT, or a related field
• Able to travel to affiliate/market sites as needed for key milestones (e.g., go-live)
• >5-7 years of experience in hands-on project or deployment management, with a proven track record of managing technology implementation projects
• >3 years of matrix leadership of distributed teams; you must be able to lead and motivate a local squad without direct authority
• Experience with CRM deployments (Veeva specifically), Marketing Automation, master data management and analytics ecosystem transformation preferred
• Experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry is strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of affiliate/local market operations, business processes, and culture
• A "roll-up-your-sleeves" mindset with a proven ability to identify, analyze, and resolve on-the-ground challenges and roadblocks in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and maintain clear, consistent communication with both local teams and central program leadership
• Hands-on experience in supporting the delivery of local training and change activities to drive user adoption.
• VACC mindset and an openness to Roche's new ways of working
• English plus business level French and / or Spanish a must