Head of Strategic Development & Transformation APAC

The Head of Strategic Development & Transformation APAC is responsible for driving the strategic development, business growth and transformation agenda of BU Execution APAC, ensuring alignment with NPE and GEA priorities. Acting as a strategic partner to the SVP NPE BU APAC and the APAC Leadership Team, the role translates strategic objectives into actionable business initiatives, leads the regional Transformation Office and oversees the execution of key cross-cluster programs. The position also leads the APAC Business Development team, identifies and accelerates strategic growth opportunities, strengthens commercial performance and fosters collaboration across clusters and functions. Through strategic analysis, effective governance and strong stakeholder management, the role ensures disciplined strategy execution, measurable business impact and sustainable growth across the APAC region.

Responsibilities / Tasks

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development, alignment and execution of the BU Execution APAC strategy, ensuring consistency with NPE and GEA strategic priorities and translating regional ambitions into tangible business results.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the SVP NPE BU APAC and the APAC Leadership Team, providing business insights, strategic analysis and actionable recommendations based on market dynamics, customer needs, competitive developments and business performance.
• Drive the regional strategy execution and transformation agenda across all APAC clusters and functions, ensuring clear priorities, accountability, milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Establish and lead the APAC Transformation Office, providing the governance, structure and performance monitoring required to translate strategic priorities into effective implementation.
• Lead selected strategic and cross-regional transformation programs, working closely with Cluster Heads, functional leaders and key stakeholders to ensure alignment, execution discipline and sustainable business impact.
• Lead the APAC Business Development team and steer its activities in line with regional growth ambitions and strategic priorities.
• Serve as the central regional interface for strategic Sales and Business Development topics, ensuring transparency, alignment and effective prioritization across the regional opportunity pipeline.
• Identify, develop and accelerate cross-cluster growth opportunities, new markets, strategic partnerships and business development initiatives.
• Partner with cluster and business leaders to translate strategic opportunities into actionable commercial initiatives, business cases and executable growth plans.
• Drive cross-cluster collaboration and identify opportunities to improve regional structures, processes, commercial effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Monitor the progress and business impact of strategic initiatives, proactively identify execution barriers and escalate critical risks, resource conflicts and decisions to the SVP and APAC Leadership Team.

Impact on Business

• Drives the implementation of BU Execution APAC strategy and strategic priorities across all clusters, ensuring alignment between regional ambitions and business execution.
• Supports sustainable regional growth by connecting market opportunities, Business Development capabilities and cluster execution, with a target.
• Enhances management transparency and decision-making through structured business analytics, strategic performance monitoring, transformation reporting and clear recommendations to the APAC Leadership Team.

Innovation and Change

• Owns and drives the APAC Transformation Office, translating strategic direction into structured transformation initiatives and leading implementation in close collaboration with Cluster Heads and functional leaders.
• Identifies and drives improvements in regional structures, business processes, commercial effectiveness and cross-cluster collaboration to strengthen organizational performance and competitiveness.
• Establishes effective transformation governance, progress tracking and accountability mechanisms, ensuring agreed initiatives deliver measurable and sustainable business outcomes.

Your Profile / Qualifications

Educational Background

• University degree in Business Administration, Economics, Technology, Finance, Strategy or a related discipline.
• Additional qualifications in Strategy, Business Transformation, Leadership or Project Management would be an advantage.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Significant professional experience in Strategy, Business Transformation, Business Development, Sales, Management Consulting or senior industrial leadership roles.
• Proven track record of translating strategic objectives into executable business initiatives, robust business cases and measurable business results.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex transformation programs and strategic initiatives across multiple business units, countries or functions.
• Strong leadership experience in international, multicultural and cross-functional organizations.
• Solid understanding of business development, strategic sales, commercial processes and complex project or solution-based businesses.
• Experience working with senior management and influencing strategic and operational decision-making in a matrix organization.
• Strong understanding of the APAC business environment and its diverse market dynamics.

Other Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate complex business challenges into clear strategic priorities and actionable recommendations.
• Business Acumen: Strong commercial mindset with the ability to identify growth opportunities and connect strategic ambitions with business execution.
• Transformation Leadership: Proven ability to drive organizational change, lead complex initiatives and ensure sustainable implementation.
• Leadership & Influence: Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to influence senior leaders and cross-functional teams without necessarily having direct reporting authority.
• Analytical Capabilities: Excellent analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills, with the ability to derive meaningful business insights from complex data.
• Communication: Excellent presentation, negotiation and communication skills, particularly when interacting with senior management and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Intercultural Competence: Strong intercultural awareness and the ability to operate effectively across the diverse APAC region.
• Languages: Fluent business English; additional APAC languages are an advantage.

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