Project Manager – Ecosystem

Role location: Remote with occasional travel

Overview

Linnaeus is a key contributor to the UK Mars Petcare Ecosystem Program. It aims to unite the Petcare divisions to work together to make a better world for pets, and to explore opportunities for synergistic growth. This exciting role has become available to enable the effective implementation of ecosystem projects across Linnaeus.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Linnaeus Ecosystem Strategic Lead to ensure that projects are mapped effectively, stakeholders are onboarded, understand expectations, timelines and deliverables and are set-up for success. The Ecosystem Activation Manager will act as Project Manager, galvanising people, budgets, and resources day to day to ensure project and programme success. Close to the front line, the post holder will have unique insights into potential risks and blockers and will play a key role in flagging these early to the Linnaeus Ecosystem Strategic Lead. The successful candidate can adopt an Ecosystem mindset whilst at the same time representing Linnaeus.

Main purpose & goals

• Provide effective Project Management for all aspects of the ecosystem programme. Including:

• Ensuring clarity within all documentation, what is in scope and out of scope of the project and ensure that this is revisited regularly to ensure that the project delivery remains on track.

• Arranging regular meetings with senior stakeholders to update on the project deliverables and timelines.

• Ability to challenge and influence within the project, bringing both gravitas and project management experience to support this.

• Be clear, honest, and open with the team and the requirements and deliverables.

• Ability to drive momentum and delivery within the project and be clear on how to manage and work through barriers and risks.

• Ensure that all members of the project team are clearly aligned with the project objectives and deliverables and motivated for project success and delivery.

• Follow project management processes and principles to develop clear timelines and plans for the projects, highlight any risk and issues and work through these and a have a clear focus on project delivery.

• Develop training and support materials to support the launch of the projects into practices taking the teams on the change journey and provide support for any questions and support in practice as required.

• Establish continuous improvement processes to ensure that as rollouts take place, that the project team take on board feedback

• Lead and facilitate workstream meetings, ideation sessions and reviews; ensure outputs and initiatives are effectively captured and shared with stakeholders in a timely fashion.

• Ensure that project plans and documents are kept up to date and accurately reflect the progress made in projects and workstreams.

• Work in close partnership with Data and Analytics to ensure effective oversight of project performance.

• Provide performance updates and progress reports in line with agreed schedules and ad-hoc as required.

• Keep a keen eye on potential risks and blockers and update the Linnaeus Ecosystem Strategic Lead in good time; providing ideas and potential solutions on mitigations.

• Attend wider ecosystem meetings, present updates, and contribute to project development.

• Work closely with the Project Management Office and other key stakeholders such as central operations, marketing team, medical affairs, business development, …to ensure effective oversight, resource mapping/allocation, scheduling, engagement, and communication.

• Provide updates to the business as required.

• Keep track of spend and Return on Investment ensuring any creep is quickly identified and flag to appropriate stakeholders.

• Ensure projects and workstreams keep within scope and control process are implemented where pivots are required.

Person specification

Experience

Day to day experience of life in veterinary primary care practices and referral hospitals.

Exposure to and a sound understanding of commercial decision making

Previous involvement in project work. (Desirable)

Relevant experience with customer journey improvement.(Desirable)

Knowledge

Good understanding of the operational workings of veterinary practices and referral hospitals.

Good awareness and understanding of the motivations of and priorities of our customers and associates.

Good understanding of the commercial underpinnings of veterinary care

Understanding of customer relationship management (CRM) tools. (Desirable)

Understanding of commercial growth drivers and opportunities (Desirable)

Qualifications

Degree level or equivalent (Desirable)

Skills & Abilities

Strong problem-solving skills.

Pragmatic decision making.

Effective communication and stakeholder management.

Strong time and prioritisation management.

Ability to interpersonal and analyse data.

Ecosystem mindset (ability to think Linnaeus, Mars Petcare & broader Ecosystem)

Excellent presentation skills ( Desirable)

Other qualities

Credibility and strong personal impact.

Strong internal connections and across the wider veterinary industry (Desirable