Innovation starts from the heart. Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. With millions of patients served in over 100 countries, each team makes a meaningful contribution by improving patient outcomes and discovering lasting solutions for unmet patient needs. Our Strategy & Program Management Director position is a unique career opportunity that could be your next step towards an exciting future.

The Director, Strategy & Program Management is a strategic leader within the THV EU organization, responsible for shaping and driving long‑term strategic initiatives that strengthen our competitive position, operational excellence, and customer value. Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategy & AI, the role acts as a central orchestrator for multi‑year programs that span new service models, portfolio evolution, business transformation, and cross‑functional strategic execution. This role requires a highly structured strategic thinker with strong program leadership skills, the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, and a track record of translating long‑range strategic intent into actionable, measurable results across markets and functions.

The role is advertised in Spain, France, Italy and the Czech Republic, and the working model is hybrid. The successful candidate will travel up to 30% of the time within Europe, and occasionally travel to the US. The ideal candidate

is confident operating in a fast-paced, highly cross-functional environment that requires autonomy, resilience, and strong judgment.

How you will make an impact:

· Lead the identification, assessment, and development of new long-term strategic opportunities for THV EU, including new service models, value propositions, and innovation pathways that address emerging customer and market needs.

· Shape and drive the end-to-end strategy and execution of multi-year programs, such as the introduction of new devices, new service models, or new commercial approaches, ensuring clarity of objectives, governance, milestones, and cross-functional ownership.

· Lead business transformation initiatives, creating the frameworks, processes, and cross-functional alignment required to modernize ways of working, enhance customer centricity, and accelerate decision-making.

· Conduct rigorous ad-hoc strategic analyses that inform leadership decisions, strategic planning processes, resource allocation, and investment prioritization.

· Drive internal improvement programs focused on elevating strategic decision quality, data-driven insights, and alignment across THV EU leadership teams.

· Create structured problem-solving approaches and strategic narratives that support executive communication, option evaluation, scenario planning, and business cases.

· Partner closely with key EU functions (e.g., marketing, commercial, medical, operations, digital, finance) to ensure seamless execution of strategic programs, clear roles, and consistent delivery of expected outcomes.

· Track, measure, and report progress on strategic initiatives and transformation programs, using consistent methodologies and KPIs to ensure transparency and accountability.

Other incidental duties:

· Support annual and multi-year strategic planning cycles with insights, frameworks, and cross-functional alignment.

· Provide coaching and methodological guidance to project teams and country strategy leads to strengthen strategic and program execution capabilities.

· Contribute to governance forums, decision-making committees, and communications for senior leadership.

· Support evaluation of external trends, competitive dynamics, and partnership opportunities.

What you'll need (Required):

· Significant professional experience of at least 8-10 years in strategy, program leadership, business transformation, management consulting, or similar roles.

· Strong academic background in business, strategy, engineering, economics, life sciences, or related fields; advanced degree preferred.

· Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-year programs in international and matrixed environments.

· Proven track record of problem structuring, stakeholder influence, and delivering measurable strategic outcomes.

· Fluent English, other languages are a plus.

What else we look for (Preferred):

· Exceptional strategic thinking, synthesis, and framing skills.

· Strong program management discipline, with the ability to bring structure, governance, and clarity to complex initiatives.

· Experience in healthcare, MedTech, or other highly regulated B2B industries is strongly preferred.

· High comfort with ambiguity, multi-stakeholder environments, and shifting priorities.

· Excellent communication skills, including executive storytelling, crisp structuring, and ability to influence without authority.

· Strong analytical mindset with ability to build business cases, evaluate options, and derive insights from qualitative and quantitative information.

· Collaborative, credible, and able to build trust across functions and countries.

· Must be comfortable leading initiatives with limited precedent and high visibility.