Project Head - R&D

LivaNova

Munich, Germany

YOUR NEW ROLE

We are looking for a Project Head to be responsible for the comprehensive execution and oversight of the Product Development Process (PDP) for a given project within our R&D group. In the role, you will drive technical and commercial excellence by overseeing and connecting all key functional teams, taking a system-level view of products and ensuring that all system components function cohesively. In addition, you will proactively drive product innovation in anticipation of evolving clinician, regulatory and payer needs, and in alignment with LivaNova's strategic business goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE

Spearhead project execution, responsible for all key executional decisions related to the PDP;
Strategically balance business and innovation objectives with adherence to desired scope, budget, and timelines; proactively sequence deliverables to adhere to these timelines;
Act as the single point of accountability for the end-to-end delivery, being the advocate and the face for projects in front of senior leaders;
Regularly engage senior leadership to understand their expectations and provide updates on PDP program status and challenges;
Proactively communicate project execution decisions and status updates to the product development core team and other relevant stakeholders;
Ensure all project deliverables meet the necessary rigor and quality;
Drive technical excellence and innovation within the product development process, ensuring that projects are aligned with strategic business objectives;
Maintain a system-level understanding of all technical aspects and integrations, ensuring that individual components are designed and perform in harmony with the entire system;
Ensure project delivery meets business and market needs, balancing technical and commercial considerations.

ABOUT YOU

Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent technical background; an advanced degree (MBA or similar) preferred to combine technical depth with strategic business acumen;
Extensive experience in technical project management within the medical device industry or other heavily regulated industries (e.g., Pharmaceutical, Aerospace, Automobile, etc.);
In-depth knowledge of complex system development, including the integration of hardware, software, and firmware components;
Proven experience in navigating and managing cross-disciplinary engineering challenges;
Demonstrated ability to assess business cases, evaluate contracts, and align technical projects with overarching business objectives; strong understanding of financial implications and market dynamics related to product development;
Extensive experience leading large, cross-functional, and geographically dispersed teams in a fast-paced and highly technical environment;
Strong leadership presence and gravitas, with the ability to influence and engage senior leadership and diverse stakeholders effectively;
Comprehensive understanding of U.S. FDA regulations, European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR), and other relevant global standards highly beneficial;
Proven track record of successfully managing projects from concept to market, consistently delivering within scope, budget, and time constraints;
Fluent English language skills, written and spoken;
Ability to travel to global locations to meet technical teams and build critical relationships with key stakeholders.