Eriola Cela
Senior Programme Lead
Basel
Summary
Senior Programme Lead with 15+ years of experience specializing in large-scale technology implementations within the Pharma sector (Novo Nordisk). Proven expertise in leading implementation squads, managing global-to-local rollout strategies across 80+ countries, and ensuring 'go-live' readiness through a VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach, Catalyst) leadership mindset.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Finance Excellence Lead & Strategic Advisor Technology projects - Strategy Office
Novo Nordisk
01.2023 - Current
- Global Program Governance: Directed largest technological transformation (S4/Hana) across 80+ countries, establishing governance standards and risk protocols that ensured zero critical defects during rollout.
- Strategic Implementation: Acted as primary advisor to the C-Suite, defining change frameworks and aligning global delivery with long-term business value.
- Operational Value: Led implementation of Coupa technology in the purchase to pay process, delivering €45M in annual savings through optimized sourcing and process execution.
- Risk Mitigation & AI: Spearheaded AI-driven compliance tools to proactively identify risks, ensuring strict regulatory standards and resolving potential audit findings.
- Innovation & Piloting: Translated complex requirements into high-impact MVPs, leading squads to enhance compliance and reduce organizational risk.
Global Finance Transformation Lead - Associate Director
EY (Executive Layer Global Finance)
01.2017 - 01.2023
- Full ERP Lifecycle: Directed complex program delivery in a professional services environment, ensuring on-time delivery within strict margin targets.
- Data Strategy: Executed a digital roadmap that decommissioned 1,400+ legacy applications to create a 'Single Source of Truth' for 12,000+ professionals.
- Process Optimization: Accelerated financial close cycles by leveraging S/4HANA technology to eliminate redundancies.
- PMO Leadership: Built and managed a high-performing PMO team of 10 Programme Managers, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
- Large-Scale Change: Spearheaded change strategies for 260,000+ users, shifting the firm toward real-time, data-driven decision-making.
Order to Cash Global Process Deployment Lead
EY
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Multi-Regional Deployment: Led the rollout of new global finance processes, serving as the primary point of contact for local teams to guide implementation.
- Operating Model Design: Institutionalized new finance operating models to standardize practices and enable regional performance optimization.
- Capability Building: Directed comprehensive training and change programs across global markets to ensure lasting adoption and stakeholder engagement.
Education
Master - Transnational Trade Law and Finance
Deusto University
Spain01-2011
Master - Banking and Finance Law
Strasbourg University
France01-2011
Bachelor’s - Political Science
Padua University
Italy01-2003
Skills
Implementation Leadership: End-to-end rollout strategy, master planning, and 'Go-Live' readiness
Global-to-Local Orchestration: Managing local requirements while maintaining global consistency across diverse markets
Stakeholder Engagement: Building trusted partnerships with C-Suite, affiliate leadership, and cross-functional squads
Risk & Change Management: Proactive mitigation of deployment risks and driving user adoption for 260,000 users
Methodologies: Agile/Scrum Master certified, Target Operating Model (TOM) design, and PMO excellence
Certification
Global Value Chain Leadership Academy (2025)
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- EY, Chair of Diversity & Inclusiveness Committee, Led initiatives to foster an inclusive culture within the R&A committee
- Youth Mentoring Programme, Active mentor providing guidance to youth on capability building and future career planning
Timeline
Finance Excellence Lead & Strategic Advisor Technology projects - Strategy Office
Novo Nordisk
01.2023 - Current
Global Finance Transformation Lead - Associate Director
EY (Executive Layer Global Finance)
01.2017 - 01.2023
Order to Cash Global Process Deployment Lead
EY
01.2013 - 01.2017
Master - Banking and Finance Law
Strasbourg University
Master - Transnational Trade Law and Finance
Deusto University
Bachelor’s - Political Science
Padua University