Vice President of Research & Development, WATCHMAN

Diversity - Innovation - Caring - Global Collaboration - Winning Spirit - High Performance

At Boston Scientific, we’ll give you the opportunity to harness all that’s within you by working in teams of diverse and high-performing employees, tackling some of the most important health industry challenges. With access to the latest tools, information and training, we’ll help you in advancing your skills and career. Here, you’ll be supported in progressing – whatever your ambitions.

About the role:
This is an exciting opportunity to join Boston Scientific as the Vice President of Research & Development responsible for the global WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) business within our Cardiology group. In our WATCHMAN business, we’re committed to advancing stroke prevention therapy through a one-time, minimally invasive procedure that permanently reduces stroke risk for people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The candidate selected for this position will oversee long-term strategic planning and direction to build our product pipeline, accelerate innovation and drive execution. This leadership role is integral as we build a differentiated portfolio to strengthen WATCHMAN’s leadership position in the LAAC space, drive further adoption in this area and help more patients throughout the world with this therapy. 

Reporting into the Global General Manager WATCHMAN, this role is a critical component of the WATCHMAN Business Management Board and will be based in Maple Grove, MN. This individual will lead an R&D organization of ~ 100 people, with responsibility across the full spectrum of R&D including exploratory research, new product development and sustaining engineering. The role collaborates closely with other functions involved in the portfolio and development process, namely Marketing, PMO, Quality, Clinical, Regulatory, Process Development, Design Assurance and Operations. We are seeking a leader who can drive a transformative, collaborative, and cross-functional approach to maintain a strong culture, accelerate innovation and create a collaborative and equitable work environment. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overall Functional Leader for WATCHMAN R&D in the achievement of organizational goals.
• Owner of developing the division’s long-term business and product portfolio strategy. 
• Develop and lead strategies and projects for the investigation, design, and implementation of new or improved products and/or applications.
• Drive the Product Life Cycle Process for all LAAC projects, with a strong focus on agile development.
• Proactively manage R&D performance goals and portfolio investments (exploratory, technology development, and product development).
• Collaboratively determine short and long-term product strategies and technologies.
• Drive business development strategy to identify external products, technologies and intellectual property to accelerate growth as well target recommendations, financial case and integration planning.
• Provide vision, direction and prioritization in managing a funnel of exploratory projects, with an agile and robust approach.
• Create an entrepreneurial, action-based culture with a passion for winning.
• Support global growth by identifying different needs across the world and reflect them into product and clinical portfolio.
• Act as a leader across the matrix of Cardiology business functions.
• Find and create future leaders by constantly recruiting & developing talent.
• Encourage problem-solving efficiently leading to solutions.
• Ensure sharing of initiatives/ideas and accomplishments across the divisions.
• Empower teams and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables all participants to contribute to their full potential in pursuit of organizational objectives.
• Set performance expectations and ensure a culture of high-performance, collaboration and winning spirit. Be a champion of diversity, equity inclusion, and belonging.
• Develop and ensure budgets and schedules meet business needs/objectives.
• Lead Strategic Planning process to include prioritization and trade-off decisions.
• Champion new programs or refocus existing initiatives. 
• Lead all efforts with external partnerships. Partner with physicians, industry specialists and hospitals to drive innovation to meet unmet customer and patient needs.
• Develop effective and persuasive presentations for Executive Leadership engagements. 
• Support and reinforces divisional and corporate quality system.
• Align closely with the WATCHMAN leadership team, to drive efficiencies, high performance, and impactful talent strategies across the entire WATCHMAN division.

Required Qualifications:

• BS degree in Engineering or applicable technical field.
• 12+ years technical experience involved with any aspect of the product development and manufacturing process. 
• 12+ years of technical experience in Medtech.
• 5+ years’ experience directly managing senior level leaders.
• Significant customer experience, collaboration and interface, support of clinical trials, advisory boards, customer field visits, innovation visits, etc.
• Previous experience in product portfolio management; evaluating customer needs, investment decisions & trade-offs, evaluating performance and course-correcting. 
• Proven ability to drive change successfully across org/job design, processes, and human capital capabilities.
• Demonstrate global mindset by previous experience and responsibility in global markets. 
• Ability to connect authentically with all levels and types of employees. Drive high levels of engagement and build a culture of high performance and inclusion.
• Culture builder who is passionate about creating an environment that fosters curiosity, continuous improvement, learning, accountability, knowledge sharing, problem solving, speaking candidly, and creates a safe environment for people to challenge.
• A forward thinker who connects with an external network and actively tracks and implements applicable trends in research and technologies.
• Strong track record of working globally and cross-functionally across an organizational matrix. Builds strong stakeholder relationships.
• Proven ability to attracting & develop diverse talent, especially in developing new capabilities in a team needed to meet constantly evolving business strategies.
• Experience managing vendor and partner relationships involved in any aspect of the product development process.
• Leader adept at analysis and utilization of disciplined, product development principles and ensuring a strong culture of adherence. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree 
• Strong preference for someone who has worked in multiple functions and brings a holistic set of experiences to the role.
• Experience preferably in the field of Cardiology.
• Preference for previous experience managing large teams through subordinate People Leaders.

Requisition ID: 635383

Minimum Salary: $225900  

Maximum Salary: $429200  

The anticipated compensation listed above and the value of core and optional employee benefits offered by Boston Scientific (BSC) – see will vary based on actual location of the position and other pertinent factors considered in determining actual compensation for the role. Compensation will be commensurate with demonstrable level of experience and training, pertinent education including licensure and certifications, among other relevant business or organizational needs. At BSC, it is not typical for an individual to be hired near the bottom or top of the anticipated salary range listed above.

Compensation for non-exempt (hourly), non-sales roles may also include variable compensation from time to time (e.g., any overtime and shift differential) and annual bonus target (subject to plan eligibility and other requirements).

Compensation for exempt, non-sales roles may also include variable compensation, i.e., annual bonus target and long-term incentives (subject to plan eligibility and other requirements).

For MA positions: It is unlawful to require or administer a lie detector test for employment. Violators are subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 45 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at and follow us on  LinkedIn .

Boston Scientific Corporation has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity employer. To ensure full implementation of its equal employment policy, the Company will continue to take steps to assure that recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, compensation, and all other personnel decisions are made and administered without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other protected class.

Please be advised that certain US based positions, including without limitation field sales and service positions that call on hospitals and/or health care centers, require acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination status. Candidates will be notified during the interview and selection process if the role(s) for which they have applied require proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Boston Scientific continues to evaluate its policies and protocols regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and will comply with all applicable state and federal law and healthcare credentialing requirements. As employees of the Company, you will be expected to meet the ongoing requirements for your roles, including any new requirements, should the Company’s policies or protocols change with regard to COVID-19 vaccination.