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M6
RDRDM.GEN.M6
R&D Vice President / Head of R&D
Research & Development (R&D) Management

R&D Vice President / Head of R&D

RDRDM.GEN.M6

M6M6 — Vice Presidentmedium0.70draftglobalv1

Top R&D executive managing the entire R&D function.

Level
M6 · M6 — Vice President · 15–25 yrs
Function · Focus
Research & Development (R&D) Management · General
Market pay (median)
Pay basis
model pending

Top R&D executive managing the entire R&D function.

The story of this role

Who does this work

An R&D Manager with a passion for innovation and a deep understanding of scientific principles, who wants to effectively lead teams in the development of groundbreaking products and processes that meet client needs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

The problem this role solves

  • The external problem: Limited resources and strict timelines complicate the development process, making it challenging to deliver high-quality projects on schedule.
  • The internal problem: The pressure to innovate can lead to feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty about how to balance creativity with compliance and efficiency.
  • Why it matters: Innovation should enhance lives and adhere to ethical standards; the struggle lies in achieving both.

The plan

  1. Leverage cross-functional teams to enhance collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
  2. Implement a structured project management approach to streamline development.
  3. Conduct regular training sessions to ensure the team stays updated on regulatory requirements.
  4. Utilize data-driven decision-making to evaluate project feasibility and risks.
  5. Foster a culture of innovation by encouraging brainstorming and open communication.

What's at stake

Miss project deadlines due to mismanaged resources, leading to client dissatisfaction. Fail to comply with regulatory requirements, resulting in penalties and loss of credibility.

Success looks like

Deliver cutting-edge products that exceed client expectations and regulatory standards. Establish a reputation for excellence in R&D management within the industry.

Summary

Top R&D executive managing the entire R&D function.

Level — M6 — Vice President

Owns a major function or division; accountable for organization-wide outcomes.

Scope
A major function or division
Autonomy
Accountable for division strategy and outcomes
Complexity
Enterprise priorities and external factors
Impact
Division-wide / organization-wide
Decision rights
Owns strategy, budget, and org for a division
Leadership
Leads the leadership of a division
Typical experience
15–25 yrs

Core outputs

No core outputs recorded yet.

Adjacent roles

Nearest roles by structural coordinates (level + taxonomy). Distance 0 → 1; each carries its 3-state match band. How coordinates work → · Compare side-by-side →

Componentsshow ▾

Responsibilities5

  • Provide visionary leadership for the entire R&D function of the organization.commonlevel
  • Define R&D objectives and key results at the enterprise level.commonlevel
  • Act as a member of the executive leadership team.commonlevel
  • Hold ultimate accountability for the success of all R&D projects and services delivered to clients.commonlevel
  • Approve major R&D investments and partnerships.commonlevel

Tasks3

  • Lead R&D functioncommonlevel
  • Define objectivescommonlevel
  • Approve investmentscommonlevel

Skills8

  • Visionary leadershipcommonlevel
  • Objective definitioncommonlevel
  • Executive team participationcommonlevel
  • Accountability managementcommonlevel
  • Investment approvalcommonlevel
  • Communicationcommonlevel
  • Problem-solvingcommonlevel
  • Leadershipcommonlevel

Knowledge8

  • Visionary leadershipcommonlevel
  • Objective definitioncommonlevel
  • Executive team participationcommonlevel
  • Accountability managementcommonlevel
  • Investment approvalcommonlevel
  • Regulatory compliancecommonlevel
  • Innovation strategiescommonlevel
  • Client relationship managementcommonlevel

competency9

  • Technical and Domain Expertisecommonlevel
  • Leadership & Team Developmentcommonlevel
  • Strategic Thinkingcommonlevel
  • Communication & Influencecommonlevel
  • Problem Solving & Decision-Makingcommonlevel
  • Project & Program Managementcommonlevel
  • Innovation & Continuous Improvementcommonlevel
  • Regulatory & Quality Mindsetcommonlevel
  • Client Focus and Relationship Managementcommonlevel

qualification2

  • Advanced graduate degree required (PhD and/or MBA).commonlevel
  • ~18+ years of experience, including leadership of an entire R&D function or division.commonlevel
Title aliasesshow ▾
AliasTypeConfidenceApproved
Vice President, Client Project Managementcommonmedium0.66
Client Project Management Vice Presidentcommonmedium0.60
Vice President, Client Project Managercommonmedium0.66
Client Project Manager Vice Presidentcommonmedium0.60
Vice President, Internal Innovation Initiativescommonmedium0.66
Internal Innovation Initiatives Vice Presidentcommonmedium0.60
R&D Vice President / Head of R&Dcommonmedium0.50
Classification mappingsshow ▾

O*NET / SOC

  • code=19-0000title=Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupationssource=inferred_from_superfunctionreviewStatus=needs_review