Senior Director Strategy

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

We are looking for a Senior Director Corporate Strategy to join our team in Basel.

The Senior Director, Corporate Strategy plays a key role in supporting the definition and execution of Lonza’s business platform and corporate strategy. As a strategic sparring partner, this role provides insights, analysis, and recommendations to drive growth, improve competitiveness, and support investment decisions.

This role is highly analytical and advisory, engaging with cross-functional teams and senior collaborators to craft key initiatives. While it is a critical, high-impact position, it is not a member of the business platform leadership teams but instead serves as a trusted thought partner to senior decision-makers.

The Senior Director will collaborate closely with Business Platform Leaders, Corporate Strategy, Finance, M&A, and Innovation teams to evaluate market trends, driven positioning, and strategic opportunities that drive long-term business success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Development & Advisory

• Support the development and execution of business platform and corporate strategies, ensuring alignment with Lonza’s growth ambitions.

• Act as a sparring partner to senior leaders, providing data-driven insights, strategic options, and recommendations.

• Conduct industry research, trend analysis, and scenario planning to assess market opportunities and risks.

• Prepare decision-making materials for senior leadership, ensuring transparency, depth, and strategic relevance.

• Engage with cross-functional teams to validate strategic hypotheses and refine cases.

2. Market & Competitive Intelligence

• Analyse market dynamics, innovation trends, driven movements, and customer needs to advise strategy.

• Conduct benchmarking studies to identify Lonza’s competitive edge and areas for differentiation.

• Monitor and evaluate industry shifts, exciting technologies, and investment trends to provide proactive recommendations.

• Synthesize complex market insights into executive-level strategic reports and presentations.

3. Business & Financial Analysis

• Develop financial models, business cases, and investment assessments to support corporate and business platform decision-making.

• Collaborate with Finance and Business Platform teams to evaluate potential growth strategies, investment priorities, and performance metrics.

• Support capital allocation discussions by assessing ROI, alignments, and risks of key critical initiatives.

4. Corporate Development & M&A Support

• Identify and assess potential M&A, partnership, and investment opportunities in alignment with Lonza’s strategic roadmap.

• Provide analytical and due diligence support for mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.

• Work closely with Corporate Development, Finance, and Business Platform teams to evaluate deal structures and strategic fit.

5. Stakeholder Collaboration & Executive Communication

• Engage with business platform teams, corporate strategy, finance, and innovation leaders to align on key initiatives.

• Prepare and deliver high-quality strategic presentations for senior leadership and board-level discussions.

• Act as a trusted thought partner to the Chief Strategy Officer and other senior collaborators, providing structured insights and recommendations.

• Facilitate discussions that challenge assumptions and bring new perspectives to sophisticated strategic challenges.

Qualifications & Experience

• Many years of experience in corporate strategy, business development, investment banking, management consulting, or related fields, preferably within the pharma, biotech, CDMO, or life sciences sector.

• Strong analytical background with experience in market research, financial modelling, and strategic recommendations for senior leadership.

• Validated ability to analyse sophisticated business problems, develop strategic insights, and present clear recommendations.

• Strong experience in financial modelling, market research, and competitive analysis.

• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities, with a structured and analytical mindset.

• Outstanding communication and storytelling skills, with experience engaging senior leaders.

• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong project leadership skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred but not required.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.