Program and Strategic Operations Leader

Overview

The Program and Strategic Operations Leader is a vital role responsible for driving program management for complex, high-impact critical programs to support business growth, innovation, and deliver to customer goals. This individual will additionally lead and implement process improvement and operational excellence projects, as needed.
This role goes beyond traditional project management and calls for someone who can confidently lead programs from start to finish. You'll take ownership of key initiatives, ensure alignment with business goals, and work closely with cross‑functional teams, partners, and senior leadership. We're looking for a strategic thinker who thrives under pressure, enjoys navigating complex challenges, and can influence outcomes to deliver meaningful results. This position also offers strong exposure to senior leadership and can serve as a pathway into broader organizational or general management roles.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Lead multiple complex projects and programs with technical and operational challenges, utilizing project management best practices for effective planning, monitoring, controls, and risk management.
• Plan, monitor, and manage projects and strategic initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring alignment with business objectives and targets.
• Provide leadership and guidance to project teams, ensuring clear direction, effective governance, and alignment with stakeholder expectations and business value delivery.
• Serve as a project advocate within the organization, promoting best practices and continuous improvement in project execution and time-to-market reduction.

Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify potential process and operational improvement opportunities in collaboration with the Sr. Director, Program Owner - Next Generation LC Systems.
• Apply process improvement frameworks (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to enhance process performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures, as well as applicable quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485).

Change Leadership & Strategic Influence

• Lead and implement change management methods and techniques to facilitate broad adoption of solutions and drive organizational change.
• Advocate and lead discussions at the highest organizational levels, advising on areas of opportunity, improvement strategies, and supporting the business in developing and executing necessary strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement & Risk Management

• Collaborate with various stakeholders to define appropriate project metrics, targets, reporting mechanisms, and ensure achievement of business growth and productivity goals.
• Manage relationships with third parties, strategic alliance partners, and external collaborators involved in projects or initiatives.
• Apply foresight and insight to proactively identify and address project issues and risks, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure project success.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, life sciences, chemistry, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience leading complex, cross-functional programs with direct accountability for business outcomes.
• Prior experience as a core team leader, program manager, or program director with exposure to executive-level stakeholders and strategic decision-making.
• Proven expertise in process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and their application to drive measurable business impact.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively engage and influence diverse stakeholders, build high-performing teams, and inspire top-tier execution.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to connect program execution to broader organizational goals.
• High learning agility and self-driven curiosity to stay current with emerging technologies, methodologies, and industry trends.
• Exceptional organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, with a track record of executive-level reporting and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS) in a relevant field, especially for candidates pursuing general management or enterprise leadership roles.
• Experience in portfolio management, integrated business planning, AOP, LRP, and/or S&OP processes.
• Experience operating within ISO 9001 and/or ISO 13485 Quality Management Systems.
• Familiarity with Liquid Chromatography, IVD clinical diagnostics instruments, or related analytical instrumentation is a significant advantage.
• Background in top-tier management consulting (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain), particularly in operational transformation, product strategy, or organizational effectiveness.
• Experience serving as Chief of Staff, or Strategic Operations Leader, to a senior executive, with demonstrated ability to drive strategic initiatives and manage high-stakes priorities.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Key Words

#LI-Hybrid

Client-provided location(s): Bellingham, MA

Job ID: Waters-24153

Employment Type: OTHER

Posted: 2026-03-11T18:43:29