VP, Chief Innovation Officer

Job Summary The Senior Director, Research & Development is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and leading the organization’s R&D strategy to drive innovation, product development, and technology advancement in support of business growth and competitive differentiation. This role provides enterprise‑wide leadership for research, product development, and innovation pipelines. Role Overview The Senior Director, R&D owns the enterprise R&D strategy, governance, and performance across innovation, product development, and technology exploration. The role balances strategic direction with execution oversight to ensure resources are focused on high‑value opportunities and that development programs deliver timely, high‑quality outcomes. This position leads directors, managers, and senior technical leaders and serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on innovation priorities, technology roadmaps, and portfolio investment decisions. Key Responsibilities R&D Strategy & Innovation Leadership Define and own the enterprise R&D and innovation strategy aligned with business objectives Establish multi‑year technology and product development roadmaps Ensure R&D priorities balance near‑term delivery with long‑term innovation Product & Technology Development Oversee development of new products, platforms, and technologies Ensure disciplined execution of development programs from concept through launch Promote design for quality, scalability, manufacturability, and sustainability Portfolio Management & Investment Prioritization Lead governance of the R&D portfolio, including prioritization and resource allocation Evaluate technical feasibility, market potential, risk, and ROI of initiatives Ensure effective decision‑making across stage‑gate or development lifecycle processes Innovation Pipeline & Market Alignment Foster ideation, experimentation, and exploration of emerging technologies Partner with Marketing and Business Development to align innovation with customer needs Monitor market and technology trends to inform innovation direction Technical Excellence & Standards Establish R&D standards, methodologies, and best practices Ensure rigorous technical reviews, validation, and verification processes Promote knowledge sharing and reuse of platforms and technologies Cross‑Functional Product Realization Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations Ensure smooth transition of designs from R&D to manufacturing and commercialization Support product launches and post‑launch performance monitoring People Leadership & Capability Development Lead and develop a high‑performing R&D organization Build capability in research, product development, and innovation leadership Establish organizational structures, performance expectations, and succession plans External Collaboration & Ecosystem Engagement Build relationships with universities, research institutions, suppliers, and partners Support open innovation, partnerships, and external research initiatives as appropriate Evaluate opportunities for collaboration to accelerate innovation Senior Leadership Collaboration & Communication Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on innovation strategy and technology risk Communicate R&D performance, progress, and roadmap to senior leadership forums Provide thought leadership on innovation culture and long‑term technical direction Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical field required Master’s degree, PhD, or MBA with strong technical background strongly preferred 12–15+ years of progressive experience in R&D, engineering, or product development roles Demonstrated experience leading enterprise‑level R&D or innovation organizations Deep technical expertise and understanding of product and technology development Strong strategic planning, portfolio management, and innovation leadership skills Proven senior leadership and people development capability Ability to influence and align cross‑functional and geographically dispersed leaders Strong analytical, decision‑making, and risk‑management skills Clear communication, judgment, and change‑leadership capability Additional Job Details – Management M5 • Establish operational initiatives that significantly influence the mid‑ to long‑term success and performance of the overall business unit, department and/or job family group.

• Lead the implementation of strategies set forth by executive leadership, ensuring alignment with functional or business unit objectives.
• Develop and oversee strategic operational plans for the department and/or job family group, focusing on mid‑term outcomes (e.g., ~3 years).
• Accountable for significant revenue generation and/or expenditures across major organizational areas, with a high degree of autonomy and decision‑making authority.

Equal Employment Opportunity Nidec is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, genetic information, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nidec Corporation