Strategic Initiatives Associate Director

About the role

The Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives leads enterprise‑level programs that create sustained business value for Syneos Health. Reporting to senior leadership, the role translates strategy into executable initiatives, drives decision‑making and ensures alignment across multiple functions and business units.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership for complex, cross‑functional programs, aligning them with enterprise strategy and business priorities.
• Lead matrixed teams of senior professionals, establishing clear accountability, governance and performance expectations.
• Own end‑to‑end program execution, including charters, roadmaps, dependency management, resource strategies and governance frameworks.
• Monitor progress against milestones, KPIs and value‑realization targets, proactively addressing risks.
• Oversee scope, budget and resource planning to ensure initiatives stay within approved parameters.
• Partner with finance leaders to validate forecasts, monitor spend and reconcile resources.
• Drive enterprise‑level change management and business readiness to ensure adoption and sustainability.
• Serve as primary liaison to executive sponsors and steering committees, delivering concise updates and framing decisions.

Required profile

• Minimum 8 years of project/program management experience, preferably with a bachelor’s degree; graduate degree preferred.
• Proven ability to lead large, complex programs across multiple functions and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and executive‑level communication skills.
• Experience coaching and developing senior project leaders.
• High adaptability, initiative and judgment in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.

Required skills

• Advanced proficiency in project and program management methodologies and tools.
• Expertise in change leadership and organizational readiness.
• Strong business and financial acumen for value creation and outcome tracking.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross‑functional alignment.