Senior Director, Product & Portfolio Management

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Product & Portfolio Management (PPMG) – Surgery is a strategic leader and member of the Surgery R&D leadership team. Working across a complex, cross‑functional environment, this leader will guide portfolio decisions, manage risk, and lead a high‑performing team of portfolio and project managers that accelerate the delivery of innovative products addressing meaningful patient and customer needs. Reports to Global Head R&D, Surgery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Surgery R&D portfolio governance in partnership with Platform Presidents and their functional leaders: Global Strategic Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, Business Development, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and refine portfolio tools, dashboards, and decision frameworks to enable transparent prioritization, trade‑offs, and investment decisions.
• Own program tracking, acceleration, risk identification, and mitigation for the Surgery R&D portfolio; ensure timely escalation and resolution of critical issues.
• Chair Surgery technical derisking forums; prepare and present portfolio‑level assessments and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Provide independent assessment, counsel, and scenario analysis to leadership on portfolio balance, timing, resource allocation, and strategic risk.
• Drive portfolio initiatives to improve R&D operational excellence, including process optimization, stage‑gate rigor, gating criteria, and metrics.
• Build cross‑J&J technical and platform relationships to leverage capabilities and identify strategic alignment opportunities.
• Define, refine, and report on operational metrics and KPIs; consolidate and distribute senior management reports that show progress against goals.
• Establish and manage shared Goals & Objectives (G&O) across R&D to ensure alignment and measurable progress.
• Lead, coach, and develop the PPMG team; foster a culture of accountability, empowerment, psychological safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Drive accountability for decisions and execution; ensure rapid closure of actions and secure enterprise‑level trade‑off decisions across time, scope, and resources.
• Secure trade‑off decisions to manage the triple constraint of time, scope, and resources.
• Promote effective cross‑functional collaboration across a matrix organization.
• Drive adoption of new ways of working (Agile, digital, AI‑enabled portfolio mgmt).

Success Metrics (examples)

• On‑time launch rate for prioritized R&D programs
• Portfolio value realization versus plan (timing, scope, cost)
• Risk resolution time for critical program issues
• Stakeholder alignment scores from periodic surveys
• Team engagement and talent development indicators

Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, life sciences, business, or a related field
• 12+ years of relevant experience in R&D leadership, portfolio/program management, or strategic planning in a regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience in medical device or pharmaceutical industries (preferred) or other regulated healthcare environments
• Proven success influencing and partnering across complex, global matrix organizations including at senior leadership and executive levels
• Strong business and technical acumen, with experience translating strategy into executable plans and measurable outcomes
• Track record of leading operational change, implementing portfolio governance, and driving cross‑functional program delivery
• Experience developing and presenting portfolio analyses and recommendations to senior leadership
• Demonstrated people leadership: coaching, talent development, and building high‑performing teams
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and making high‑quality trade‑off decisions
• Travel: up to 20% domestic and international

Qualifications – Preferred

• MBA or advanced technical degree
• Project Management Certification
• Experience with portfolio management tools and stage‑gate processes
• Familiarity with Agile ways of working and risk/issue management frameworks
• Experience building partnerships across global business units and leveraging shared technical platforms

Pay Range

The anticipated base pay range for this position is: $196,000.00 – $342,700.00.

Benefits

Employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)). The position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long‑term incentive program. Time‑off benefits include vacation, sick time, holiday pay, floating holidays, work, personal and family time, parental leave, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, and military spouse time‑off. For additional general information on Company benefits, visit

Equal Opportunity Employer

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law. Johnson & Johnson actively seeks qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an inclusive interview process that meets the needs of all applicants. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request accommodations, please contact us via