Research and Development-Vice President of Research and Development

Vice President, Research & Development 

The Position:
Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the VP R&D will lead efforts to design, develop, and deliver innovative products that align with the company’s strategic vision. This individual will drive the company’s research and development initiatives while collaborating with senior leadership to translate the organization’s vision into a comprehensive and achievable product roadmap. The ideal candidate will have the technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic mindset to build and guide high-performing teams, champion innovation, and deliver exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:
•    Develop and articulate a comprehensive R&D vision and strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and growth goals.
•    Collaborate with the executive leadership team to ensure R&D efforts support overall business objectives.
•    Translate strategic priorities into actionable R&D roadmaps and initiatives.

Innovation and Research:
•    Identify emerging technologies and industry trends to inform and advance the company’s product strategy.
•    Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation, driving groundbreaking research and solutions.
•    Oversee and evaluate R&D projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Product Development:
•    Lead the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation through market launch, ensuring high-quality, customer-centric solutions.
•    Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Marketing, and Sales, to meet market demands.
•    Continuously analyze and improve existing products to enhance competitiveness and performance.

Team Leadership and Resource Management:
•    Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing R&D team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
•    Implement best practices in engineering standards and development processes.
•    Oversee R&D budgets, resource allocation, and operational efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance and Intellectual Property:
•    Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations while maintaining ethical research practices.
•    Protect and expand the company’s intellectual property portfolio through patents and other mechanisms.

Strategic Partnerships and Risk Management:
•    Establish and manage collaborations with external organizations, universities, and research institutions.
•    Identify risks associated with R&D initiatives and implement mitigation strategies.

Experience and Qualifications:
•    Leadership Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ leading R&D teams, with demonstrated success in driving innovation and delivering impactful product solutions.
•    Industry Expertise: Proven track record in enterprise application development, preferably in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, aerospace).
•    SaaS Expertise: Strong experience with cloud-based, multi-tenant SaaS platforms.
•    Process and Methodology: Proficiency in Agile methodologies and modern project management techniques.
•    Education: Advanced degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
•    Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
•    Financial Acumen: Experience managing R&D budgets and justifying major initiatives with ROI considerations.
•    Team Leadership: Proven ability to recruit, mentor, and retain top technical talent while fostering a collaborative team environment.

The Person:
•    The successful candidate will be a visionary leader and collaborative team player, equipped to drive innovation and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Key attributes include:
•    Outstanding Leadership: Inspires and aligns teams around a shared vision; fosters an atmosphere of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
•    Execution-Oriented: Combines strategic vision with a hands-on, results-driven approach to deliver tangible outcomes.
•    Entrepreneurial Spirit: Agile and adaptive, with a "can-do" attitude to seize opportunities in evolving markets.
•    Integrity and Maturity: Demonstrates high ethical standards, forthrightness, and professionalism, serving as a trusted advisor to peers and leadership.
•    Equity Mindset: Operates with an ownership mentality, focusing on driving company success and shareholder value.
•    Resilience and Pragmatism: Thrives under pressure, able to navigate ambiguity, prioritize competing demands, and remain focused on strategic goals.
•    Travel: Must be willing to travel up to 25% of the time

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.