R&D Director Job Description
Position Overview
The R&D Director is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction for an organization's research and development function. This position oversees the entire innovation lifecycle—from identifying emerging technologies and market trends to commercializing new products and solutions. The R&D Director leads multidisciplinary technical teams, manages complex project portfolios, and collaborates closely with executive leadership and cross-functional partners to drive business growth and maintain competitive advantage.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Innovation
- Develop and execute the organization's R&D strategy and technology roadmap in alignment with corporate objectives and long-term business goals
- Identify emerging technology trends, market opportunities, and customer insights to guide future product and technology strategies
- Translate scientific and technical complexity into commercially viable, scalable solutions
- Present research findings, innovation roadmaps, and strategic recommendations to senior management and executive stakeholders
Product Development & Project Management
- Lead cross-functional teams to develop new products and processes, ensuring projects meet quality standards, budgets, and timelines
- Oversee the entire product lifecycle—from concept evaluation through design, testing, validation, and commercialization
- Establish project governance, prioritization frameworks, and delivery standards across R&D initiatives
- Drive continuous improvement in product development methodologies, engineering processes, and innovation practices
Team Leadership & Organizational Development
- Build, lead, and mentor R&D teams, managing recruitment, training, performance management, and professional development
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence
- Develop succession pipelines and ensure strong technical capability across the organization
Financial & Portfolio Management
- Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and project portfolios
- Prioritize initiatives based on strategic fit, financial return, and resource availability
- Develop and monitor R&D KPIs, project milestones, and performance metrics
External Partnerships & Compliance
- Represent the company at industry conferences, exhibitions, and academic forums
- Establish innovation partnerships with universities, research institutions, technology providers, and industry bodies
- Ensure all R&D processes and products meet relevant quality standards, regulatory compliance, and industry norms
- Manage relationships with external research partners, suppliers, and consultants
QualificationsEducation
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical or scientific discipline (e.g., Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Life Sciences, Computer Science)
- Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred
Experience
- 8+ years of progressive R&D experience, including leadership responsibility for multidisciplinary teams
- 10+ years often required for more senior roles
- 5+ years of managerial experience
- Proven track record of successful technical strategy planning, product development, and team management
- Experience managing complex development programs from concept to execution
Technical & Professional Skills
- Deep knowledge of relevant technical domain and product development processes
- Strong project management capabilities with experience managing multiple projects in fast-paced environments
- Solid understanding of quality systems, regulatory compliance, and product stewardship
- Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and project management platforms
- Strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Experience managing R&D budgets and project portfolios
- Familiarity with grant funding and external research collaboration
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing technical teams in multinational or complex environments
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to balance innovation initiatives with operational priorities
- Influential leader comfortable operating in complex environments
- Business acumen with ability to connect technical initiatives to commercial outcomes
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: €25,663.34 - €61,990.01 per year
Work Location: In person
