Senior Director of R&D Transformation & Operations

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director of R&D Transformation & Operations based in United States.

This senior leadership role will shape the evolution of global engineering and product operations across a complex technology organization.
You will lead strategic transformation programs designed to improve resource efficiency, operational predictability, decision-making speed, and execution.
The role combines enterprise program leadership, operating-model transformation, portfolio management, and engineering productivity.
You will lead a geographically distributed team of transformation-focused program managers, analysts, and technical trainers.
Working closely with senior executives and cross-functional stakeholders, you will turn strategic priorities into scalable operating practices.
You will also champion data-driven governance, modern development frameworks, and continuous improvements across R&D.
This is an influential opportunity for a transformation leader who thrives in ambiguity and can drive meaningful change across a large organization.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the definition and execution of complex, cross-organizational R&D transformation programs, establishing roadmaps, priorities, milestones, and measurable outcomes.
• Directly manage and develop a geographically distributed team of Transformation-focused Technical Program Managers, Analysts, and Technical Trainers.
• Build an empowered, scalable organization through effective delegation, coaching, mentoring, and development of team capabilities.
• Develop transformation strategies that help engineering and product organizations move toward proactive, sustainable operational excellence.
• Drive improvements to product development and software development lifecycle practices, operating models, portfolio management, and PMO execution.
• Monitor the health of programs and projects across the portfolio, ensuring strong data hygiene, governance, and accurate engineering productivity metrics.
• Establish and improve R&D measurement systems and use data to identify performance trends, risks, opportunities, and areas requiring intervention.
• Define and negotiate program scope, priorities, and changes with program sponsors and key stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level program and portfolio updates, using clear data and insights to support transparent discussions and informed decisions.
• Lead initiatives that scale operations and strengthen organizational practices, including software capitalization administration, Agile coaching, and tooling standardization.
• Manage competing priorities and stakeholder demands, ensuring transformation investments remain focused on the highest-value business outcomes.
• Influence stakeholders across organizational levels without relying on direct authority, bridging organizational silos and building alignment around change initiatives.
• Promote consistent methodologies and operating standards across engineering and product organizations.
• Foster an inclusive environment centered on collaboration, empathy, diversity, belonging, and continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• 15+ years of relevant professional experience, combined with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience leading enterprise-scale engineering and product transformation initiatives within complex technology organizations.
• Strong understanding of enterprise engineering and product development frameworks and measurement systems, including Lean Portfolio Management, SAFe, DORA, SDLC, and PDLC.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute change-management strategies across large employee populations and geographically distributed organizations.
• Proven track record as a senior program or transformation leader capable of moving between long-term strategic vision and detailed technical and operational execution.
• Strong portfolio and program management skills, including the ability to prioritize initiatives according to business value, urgency, organizational capacity, and strategic objectives.
• Experience managing and mentoring high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across program management, analytics, training, or transformation functions.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities, with experience using engineering productivity metrics and portfolio data to drive improvements.
• Exceptional executive communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex transformation initiatives into clear business outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and secure alignment without direct reporting authority.
• Strong negotiation, facilitation, problem-solving, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Comfort operating in environments characterized by complexity, ambiguity, evolving priorities, and significant organizational change.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a strong commitment to developing people and fostering a culture of trust and belonging.

Benefits:

• Base salary range of $190,700–$343,300 per year for U.S.-based candidates, depending on experience, skills, certifications, and location.
• Potential additional compensation through annual bonuses or incentive opportunities.
• Equity awards and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) opportunities.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• 401(k) savings plan.
• Company holidays and paid time off.
• Sick time and family-friendly benefits, including parental leave.
• Employee Assistance Program with resources focused on mental and financial wellness.
• Flexible work arrangements through a FlexBase approach, supporting remote, office-based, or hybrid work depending on job needs.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact transformation initiatives within a global technology environment.
• Significant exposure to senior executives and cross-functional leadership.
• Leadership, mentoring, and organizational development opportunities.

How Jobgether works:

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

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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.