Senior Director of Research & Innovation
Danaher Corporation
Summary
Senior Director of Research & Innovation is responsible for leading teams of scientists who are scouting and evaluating new business ideas, doing PoC studies and process development, and establishing new business lines. This role is accountable for the creation and implementation of strategic developments in the scientific area and contributes to short and long term success of Abcam. Communicating and collaborating with business partners and ELT members in other areas and in other functions across the organisation. This position reports to the VP Innovation Leader & Interim R&D leader is part of the R&D team located in Waltham, US and will be an on-site role.
Job description
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Manage a high-performing team of Directors and Group leaders across multiple disciplines.
- Using their scientific background to establish new business lines, new products and capabilities in Abcam
- Contribute to the success of R&D through a detailed understanding of the business and impact on the current strategy of Abcam.
- Develop and manage interpersonal relationships with multiple stakeholders across Abcam to shape Abcam’s future and sustain success
- Lead evaluation and decision making on new ideas (ideation process) as well as implementation of prioritised ideas into projects.
- Influence decisions of senior leaders within and outside the company
- Provide the leadership necessary to maximize the research and innovation team’s performance & success, creating a team where people want to work.
- Build Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster a collaborative mindset within the organization through their own example and by guiding colleagues and subordinates to engage outside collaborators.
- Drive innovation: Continuously offer solutions that have the potential to generate revenue, including creating new revenue stream.
- Facilitate connection between working groups to share information and generate more robust solutions.
- Work to create environment where initiative, risk-taking and creativity are rewarded more richly than safe behaviors
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field, cell biology, biochemistry, biology, or other Life Sciences.
- An established track record in a similar role with 15 years + experience in an industrial environment
- Recognized leader in scientific specialty as evidenced by publications, participation in international conference, membership on journal editorial boards, etc.
- Experience of setting strategy and monitoring delivery
- Experience of leading global teams, working with leaders to set goals and standards to effect delivery against strategy
- A team player, able to work cross-functionally
- Ability to distil complex scientific problems to end-to-end solutions, enabling cross-functional communications and understanding with both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders
Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:
- Ability to travel up to 20%, domestically and internationally
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Relevant advanced degree, e.g., Ph.D. in life science, MD, MBA
- Desired experience in leading large international teams.
- A track record of delivering successful innovation projects and products as well as ownership and passion for creative ideas, including advocating for others' ideas in order to drive change.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field, cell biology, biochemistry, biology, or other Life Sciences.
- An established track record in a similar role with 15 years + experience in an industrial environment
- Recognized leader in scientific specialty as evidenced by publications, participation in international conference, membership on journal editorial boards, etc.
- Experience of setting strategy and monitoring delivery
- Experience of leading global teams, working with leaders to set goals and standards to effect delivery against strategy
- A team player, able to work cross-functionally
- Ability to distil complex scientific problems to end-to-end solutions, enabling cross-functional communications and understanding with both scientific and non-scientific stakeholders
- Ability to travel up to 20%, domestically and internationally
Benefits
- Paid time off
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Bonus eligible
Company overview
Danaher Corporation is a leading global science and technology innovator headquartered in Washington, D.C., specializing in biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics. Founded in 1984 by brothers Steven and Mitchell Rales, the company has evolved from its origins as a manufacturing conglomerate into a premier healthcare technology organization with approximately 63,000 employees worldwide. Danaher operates through three core divisions: biotechnology (28% of revenues), which develops products for therapeutic development; life sciences (31% of revenues), focused on disease identification, new therapies, and drug testing/manufacturing; and diagnostics (41% of revenues), providing instruments, consumables, and software for disease diagnosis. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Beckman Coulter, Cytiva, Pall Corporation, Cepheid, Leica Microsystems, and Abcam, serving pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, healthcare providers, and research institutions globally. Danaher is distinguished by its Danaher Business System (DBS), a continuous improvement methodology that drives innovation and operational excellence. With 2024 revenues of $23.9 billion, the company ranks 180th on the Fortune 500 and plays a critical role in advancing scientific research, improving diagnostic capabilities, and accelerating the development of life-saving therapies.