Director, Clinical Testing & Claims, R&D

Job Description

Job Description

About the Company

 

e.l.f. Beauty's purpose is to make the world a better place for every eye, lip, and face. 

 

Our deep commitment to clean, cruelty free beauty at an incredible value has fueled the success of our flagship brand e.l.f. Cosmetics since 2004 and driven our portfolio expansion. Today, our multi-brand portfolio includes e.l.f. Cosmetics, e.l.f. SKIN, e.l.f. Hair, Well People, Naturium and rhode.

 

In our Fiscal year 26, we had net sales of $1.6 Billion and our business performance has been nothing short of extraordinary with 7 consecutive years of net sales growth. This consistent, category-leading growth is a testament to the strength of our team, strategy, and portfolio of brands. 

 

Our total compensation philosophy offers every full-time new hire competitive pay and benefits, bonus eligibility (200% of target over the last seven fiscal years), equity, flexible time off, year-round half-day Fridays, and a hybrid 3 day in office, 2 day at home work environment. We believe the combination of our unique culture, total compensation, workplace flexibility and care for the team is unmatched across not just beauty but any industry. 

 

Visit our Career Page to learn more about our team: -with-us

Position Summary:

The Director, Claims & Clinical Testing will lead e.l.f. Beauty’s global substantiation program—architecting claims governance, shaping study strategy, and translating scientific outcomes into clear, compliant, and differentiated consumer‑relevant claims. Partnering closely with Product Development (PD), R&D, Regulatory, Legal, and Product Innovation/Marketing, this leader designs and delivers clinical and consumer studies from early feasibility through commercialization while instilling disciplined processes that accelerate decisions and reduce risk. The role spans all brands and multiple categories—including color/makeup, skin care, hair care, and others—with responsibility for end‑to‑end claims substantiation and product testing (safety, consumer, and clinical) across innovation projects.

This Director establishes fit‑for‑purpose study protocols and designs that demonstrate efficacy and enable compelling, including numerical, claims; manages all testing details and key milestones to meet timelines; and builds strategic relationships with external labs to optimize timing, quality, and cost. Additionally, the role identifies the latest ingredient technologies and actively mines for innovative ingredients to drive pipeline innovation; monitors competitive claims and stays current on emerging research across skin, color, and hair; and partners closely with our global R&D formulation team and Product Development to share insights, methods, and technologies that inform development and positioning. The ideal candidate thrives in e.l.f.’s culture of quality and speed, brings a minimum of 10 years’ experience in personal‑care claims substantiation, and is proficient in statistical principles, study design/methodology, good clinical practices, and data integrity. This position reports to the Associate Vice President, R&D and is based in New York.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a streamlined claims governance framework to enable fast, compliant approvals across brands and categories.
• Centralize substantiation materials (briefs, protocols, reports, decisions) and maintain audit-ready documentation with clear version control.
• Define end-to-end clinical and consumer study strategies that align to product intent and timelines, including clear objectives, endpoints, success criteria, and statistical rigor.
• Design fit-for-purpose protocols and questionnaires to substantiate differentiated efficacy claims, including numerical claims, from early feasibility through commercialization.
• Oversee execution with external labs/CROs: IRB preparation, sample planning/labeling/shipping, data review, and timely delivery of final reports.
• Translate scientific data, technology, mechanisms of action, etc. into consumer-friendly claims and educational assets for on-pack, e-commerce, retail, articles and campaign use.
• Partner with Product Innovation/Marketing, PD, and Creative to ensure claims storytelling is accurate, compelling, and consistent across channels.
• Identify and assess emerging ingredient technologies; mine for innovative ingredients and methods that unlock new claim territories.
• Monitor competitive claims and latest research in color/makeup, skin care, hair care, and related categories; share insights to guide pipeline and positioning.
• Translate data, technologies, and mechanisms of action into clear, consumer-friendly claims and educational assets for pack, e‑commerce, retail, and campaigns.
• Build and manage strategic relationships with external testing labs; negotiate scope/ standards of work (SOWs), and optimize timing, quality, and cost.
• Maintain dashboards for study status, cycle times, and inquiry turnaround to drive transparency and decision-making.

Requirements:

• BS/MS in chemistry, biology, or other related technical disciplines. MS or PhD preferred
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in claims support and clinical testing for color and skin care or similar categories, including sun care (SPF)
• Proficient in principles of statistical analysis, study design and methodology, study design and methodology, good clinical practices and data integrity principles
• Proven experience in clinical method development and innovative clinical designs
• Highly effective organizational planning skills and project management of multiple projects/products
• Ability to work cross-functionally & at all levels within the organization
• Experience working with external testing partners and ingredient suppliers globally
• Willing to travel to meet with external testing facilities
• Familiar with global SPF testing methods and hair care testing methodology

The base salary range for this role is listed above. 

 

Total compensation includes base salary, annual company-based performance bonus, and equity. Under e.l.f.’s annual bonus program, employees are eligible to earn up to 200% of their target bonus when company performance exceeds defined goals. In addition, e.l.f. provides a variety of other benefits to employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, gender neutral parental leave, and unlimited paid time off. The amount of total compensation (including base salary) offered will be based on a wide range of factors, including geographic location, experience, specific skills, and qualifications.

 

Compensation components are subject to change at the company’s discretion

 

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this position. It also reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified, and shall not be considered, as detailed description of all the work required inherent in the job. It is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities, and it is subject to changes and exceptions at the supervisors’ discretion.

 

e.l.f. Beauty respects your privacy. Please see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice (-job-applicant-privacy-notice) for how your personal information is used and shared.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.