Head of Strategy and Operations, SAP Labs China

About SAP Labs China:
SAP Labs China is a vital part of the global SAP Labs Network, driving innovation, research, and engineering excellence for SAP. This leadership role is key to ensuring our strategic success, operational efficiency, and engagement across the region, contributing significantly to SAP’s global goals in AI, digital transformation, customer centricity, and people development.

Role Summary:
The Head of Strategy & Operations for SAP Labs China is a senior leadership position supporting the Managing Director. This role will be part of the Labs China Senior leadership team, responsible for shaping, translating, and executing the Labs’ strategy, ensuring operational excellence, effective governance, and alignment across all Line of Business, people, and financial dimensions. This role acts as a strategic partner and execution leader, bridging high-level strategy with daily operations to drive success within SAP’s global framework.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Execution:
• Work with Labs China MD and Labs China Senior Leadership Team to define organizational direction, priorities for Labs China.
• Lead the planning for strategic growth and consolidation initiatives within Labs China, coordinating with Lines of Business (LoBs), Labs sites and corporate function teams for location strategies.
• Actively contribute to strengthening the strategic and transformational development of the SAP Labs Network, positioning Labs China as a core innovation engine, supporting engineering teams, workforce enablement, and accelerating AI adoption and digital transformation efforts specific to the hub.
• Deepen customer centricity and ecosystem engagement, positioning Labs China as a "sensor" into the local ecosystem, fostering co-innovation with customers, universities, and startups, and supporting local market units in driving business value.
• Oversees & coordinates the Labs communication – internally and externally.
• Operational Excellence & Financial Management:
• Manage the day-to-day operations of SAP Labs China, ensuring operational efficiency and sound financial management, including forecast and overseeing multiple budgets.
• Ensure that relevant plans and procedures are in place for risk management, security, emergency response, and other crucial general management responsibilities for business continuity in Labs China.
• Drive operational excellence within SAP Labs China through timely, accurate, and insightful management reporting.
• Prepare executive‑level decision material, management presentations, and performance reviews.
• Support investment planning, site development, and resource allocation decisions.
• Process Harmonization & Compliance:
• Lead the harmonization, simplification, and adoption of business processes within Labs China, providing guidance to ensure effective implementation and compliance with security policies and global standards.
• Act as a trusted advisor regarding process redesign for local policies, people topics, and workplace-related programs relevant to Labs China.

• People Engagement & Workforce Transformation

• Elevate people engagement and enablement within Labs China, aligning with corporate strategy, boosting engineering effectiveness, and fostering participation in network-wide enablement programs.
• Plan and execute workforce transformation measures for critical capabilities along the SAP product and services portfolio, aligning with SAP Labs Network’s goals for AI enablement and digital transformation.
• Partner with HR leadership and support people engagement, development initiatives. 

• People Leadership & Development (Line Manager of Labs China MD office)
• Directly lead and manage the Labs China MD Office team, overseeing the full spectrum of talent management including resource planning, staffing, recruitment, compensation planning, performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Foster an inclusive, engaging, and high-performance growth culture. Actively role-model SAP’s leadership promises, promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical standards to build trust and belonging.
• Driving performance & development by champion high-quality performance management and development conversations. Ensure clarity of goals, provide continuous feedback, and conduct meaningful check-ins to support employee growth and improve performance across the team.
• Set clear expectations, promote accountability, and drive results that elevate leadership effectiveness and contribute to SAP’s strength. Consistently execute annual performance management activities and actively promote adherence to SAP’s global flexible work guidelines, including the 3-day-in-office policy.

Required Skills and Experience:

• SAP Organizational & Process Acumen: Strong understanding of SAP’s organizational structure, processes, matrix management, and governance frameworks.
• SAP Product & Development Knowledge: Good understanding of SAP’s product portfolio, solutions, and internal development processes is a significant advantage.
• Strategic & Global Leadership: Proven leadership experience spanning strategy, operations, business management, and people management, with demonstrated ability to manage global operations and lead effectively through influence in complex environments.
• Stakeholder Management: Track record of effectively managing diverse global and local, internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional Communication & Influence: Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of effectively engaging and influencing colleagues, senior leadership, and executives.
• Complex Project Leadership: Strong project management capabilities, with a proven track record of successfully leading and delivering complex, cross-functional projects.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Prowess: Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills, employing a structured and conceptual approach for both strategic thinking and meticulous execution.
• Results & Execution Focus: Demonstrated strong results- and execution-oriented mindset, ensuring successful delivery and achievement of objectives.
• Collaborative & Adaptive Mindset: A proactive approach to networking, an excellent team-player attitude, and genuine motivation to thrive in an international, intercultural, and complex matrix environment.
• Multilingual Proficiency: Native Mandarin speaker with fluent English proficiency