Director of Research Development

firstPRO is now accepting resumes for a Director of R&D Project Management in Waltham, MA. This is a direct hire role and onsite 3-4 days per week.

The Director, R&D Project Management, is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic projects across R&D. This position oversees a portfolio of technical initiatives, manages project management teams, and collaborates closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment with business objectives and technical standards. The Director will build and lead a high-performing project management team, set the strategic direction for project execution, implement best practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The Director, R&D Project Management reports directly to the Vice President of R&D and leads a team of project managers.

What you’ll do

• Strategic Leadership: Define and communicate the vision for R&D project management. Align project portfolios with organizational goals and priorities.
• Program Oversight: Lead and oversee large-scale R&D programs from initiation through delivery, ensuring projects are executed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Team Management: Recruit, mentor, and develop project managers. Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment.

What we are looking for in you

• 10+ years of progressive experience in project management, including 5+ years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Proven track record of successfully leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile, Scrum).
• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.