Project Lead – Cost Optimization Initiative

About the role

Save the Children International is seeking a Project Lead to drive its Cost Optimisation Initiative, a global transformation programme aimed at delivering 30‑40% structural cost efficiency by 2030 while safeguarding programme quality. The role will provide strategic and operational leadership across global teams and country offices, influencing senior stakeholders and championing innovative, digital solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Design, plan and deliver the multi‑year Cost Optimisation Project, maintaining a phased roadmap with clear milestones and capacity alignment.
• Lead change management, stakeholder adoption and continuous improvement to embed sustainable efficiencies across all support functions.
• Identify, prioritise and implement enterprise‑wide efficiency opportunities, establishing cost baselines and tracking benefits realisation.
• Establish programme governance, oversee workstreams, manage dependencies and report progress to senior leadership.

Required profile

• Proven track record of leading large‑scale organisational transformation and redesign in complex global NGOs or multinational matrix environments.
• Extensive experience influencing executive leadership, global functional heads and country directors to achieve alignment without direct authority.
• Strong knowledge of operating model design, shared services, finance transformation and organisational effectiveness.

Required skills

• AI and automation technologies for operational intelligence.
• Advanced analytics and digital transformation tools.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Lean Six Sigma methodology.