Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal, R&D Strategy & Operations based in United States. Lead high-impact strategic initiatives at the intersection of product, engineering, operations, and executive leadership. In this role, you will shape how complex R&D work is communicated to senior leaders and translate technical priorities into clear, actionable narratives. You will contribute to annual and quarterly planning while driving strategic programs from concept through execution. As a key connector across Product, Engineering, Finance, Data, and go-to-market teams, you will help align priorities and surface risks early. You will also identify opportunities to streamline processes, automate reporting, and reduce manual operational overhead. This is a highly visible opportunity for an experienced strategic operator who thrives in ambiguity and can influence outcomes across a complex organization. Accountabilities: - Own executive narratives and communications for R&D, including monthly and quarterly business reviews, board updates, cross-functional communications, and leadership materials. - Translate complex technical initiatives, performance data, and organizational priorities into concise, compelling content that enables senior leaders to make informed decisions. - Lead strategic initiatives prioritized by senior product and technology leadership, driving programs from planning through execution and measurable outcomes. - Partner on annual and quarterly planning cycles and mid-year retrospectives, contributing to planning processes, content, materials, and follow-through. - Track organizational progress against plans through established governance forums, identify risks and dependencies early, and ensure appropriate follow-up. - Support alignment between R&D and go-to-market teams by shaping communications and information that inform commercial planning and execution. - Define and drive adoption of lean operational processes that improve execution while minimizing manual effort across a decentralized R&D organization.

- Partner with Finance and Data teams to automate product and business metrics and progressively reduce manual reporting requirements. - Identify and lead change management opportunities that strengthen process adoption and operational effectiveness across R&D. - Build trusted relationships across organizational boundaries and serve as a connective layer between technical teams and the broader business. Requirements: - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience. - 10+ years of experience spanning product, engineering, and process or program management. - Demonstrated leadership experience, either through direct people management or through influence across teams and organizational boundaries. - Proven experience leading programs or product operations within B2B SaaS, PaaS, or a comparable technology environment. - Strong track record of delivering high-impact, highly cross-functional programs from conception through completion. - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical and operational information into clear executive narratives. - Strong ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, negotiate effectively, and align diverse teams around shared objectives. - Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple strategic priorities simultaneously. - Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving, and ambiguous environments while adapting quickly to changing priorities and requirements. - A master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline is a plus. - Experience leading change management initiatives in a B2B SaaS environment is a plus.