Manager, External Innovation - MedTech Surgery

Manager, External Innovation - MedTech Location: Raritan, NJ Job Function: R&D Product Development (Multi-Family R&D Product Development) Purpose In this role, you will drive our external innovation strategy by scouting and evaluating new technologies and partnerships and leading technical due diligence for collaborations and investments. You will build and manage relationships with external partners, develop strategic roadmaps, and create evaluation frameworks that enable confident early‑stage technology decisions. Responsibilities Develop and execute an external innovation strategy to identify high‑potential technologies, startups, academic laboratories, and service providers aligned to commercial and technology targets. Evaluate external opportunities through an integrated technical and market lens (scientific validity, technology readiness, risk, timelines, and product‑market fit). Lead technical due diligence for licensing, collaboration, and investment opportunities, partnering with cross‑functional stakeholders to prepare concise assessments for senior leadership. Design, coordinate, and execute evaluation frameworks (e.g., preclinical assays, in vitro methods, or equivalent) to de‑risk early‑stage technologies and inform go/no‑go decisions. Manage external partnerships and vendors (e.g., CROs, contract developers, academic collaborators), including scopes of work, budgets, milestones, and governance. Coordinate with cross‑functional teams (R&D, Medical, Clinical, Regulatory, Commercial, BD, Legal) to support external innovation initiatives. Track and report portfolio metrics and outcomes for external collaborations and projects; identify and elevate risks, highlight opportunities, and monitor timelines and go/no‑go decisions. Map and maintain the external ecosystem; track market trends and competitor activity related to target areas and the portfolio. Qualifications and Requirements PhD in a scientific or technical discipline (biology, chemistry, materials science, engineering, or related field) is required. Minimum 6+ years of experience in the medical device industry with end‑to‑end product development. Demonstrated experience in external innovation (scouting, partnerships, licensing, collaborations) for early‑ to mid‑stage technologies is required. Proven ability to work at the interface of market and technology strategy, translating market needs into technical requirements and vice versa is required. Strong scientific judgment, with experience assessing technology fit, feasibility, and commercialization potential is required. Experience managing external vendors and collaborators, including defining scopes of work and overseeing execution is required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to produce clear technical and commercial materials for senior leadership. Ability to influence and lead cross‑functional teams without formal authority in a matrixed environment. Basic understanding of preclinical, clinical, and regulatory requirements to support 510(k) and PMA product submissions and approvals is required. Experience developing due diligence materials to support external opportunity evaluation is preferred. Experience leading a team through development and approval of a PMA medical device is preferred. Demonstrated track record of designing testing strategies and endpoints to evaluate early‑stage technology efficacy and safety is preferred. Experience building scientific communication packages that summarize results and support decision‑making is preferred. Demonstrated success influencing cross‑functional resource allocation and securing funding for priority initiatives is preferred. Will require up to 10% travel both international and domestic. Skills Compliance Management Developing Others Entrepreneurship Inclusive Leadership Leadership Performance Measurement Process Improvements Product Development Product Development Lifecycle Product Strategies Quality Assurance (QA) Research and Development Research Ethics Resource Allocation SAP Product Lifecycle Management Team Management Technical Credibility Versatility Compensation Anticipated base pay range: $117,000.00 – $201,250.00 Benefits Vacation – 120 hours per calendar year Sick time – 40 hours per calendar year (48 in Colorado, 56 in Washington) Holiday pay, including floating holidays – 13 days per calendar year Work, Personal and Family Time – up to 40 hours per calendar year Parental leave – 480 hours within one year of birth/adoption/foster care Bereavement leave – 240 hours for immediate family; 40 hours for extended family per year Caregiver leave – 80 hours in a 52‑week rolling period (10 days) Volunteer leave – 32 hours per calendar year Military spouse time‑off – 80 hours per calendar year Legal & Equal Opportunity Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, please contact us via or contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource. #J-18808-Ljbffr Dormont Manufacturing Co