Head of R&D

Overview

As Head of R&D, lead strategic, cross-functional research and product development in a biotechnology-focused company. You will steer multiple programmes from concept to delivery and partner with senior leadership to align scientific direction with commercial and regulatory goals. You’ll build and mentor high-performing teams, shaping technical decisions and stage-gate processes to drive innovations for a cleaner, greener world. This role offers strategic influence in a start-up–like environment with meaningful environmental impact.

Pay / Benefits

• private healthcare
• enhanced pension schemes
• professional development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple technical and product development programmes with clear scope, timelines, and milestones
• Translate business and R&D objectives into structured project plans, dependencies, and resources
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align scientific strategies with commercial and regulatory goals
• Build, manage, and mentor cross-functional R&D teams to foster accountability and high performance
• Support and contribute to technical decision-making, stage-gate processes, and project documentation

Key requirements

• Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
• Proven experience managing technical projects in a synthetic/ material chemistry environment for commercialization
• Excellent leadership with experience developing diverse teams
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

• leadership
• communication
• team development
• synthetic chemistry
• material chemistry
• project management

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