Director, Wound Closure & Healing, Life Cycle Management R&D - MedTech
About The Position
The Director of R&D, Life Cycle Management (LCM), Wound Closure & Healing (WCH) is responsible for leading the team that maintains the ~$3.6B portfolio of WCH product to best serve the needs of the customers and business while addressing changing compliance needs in the global marketplace. They are the primary R&D representative on all LCM governance councils for the WCH platform with Global Strategic Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality and Regulatory on how to maximize value on the existing portfolio and ensure and enhance compliance. They are accountable for developing value creation opportunities including new claims/new applications of existing products; developing the business case and prioritizing within the platform. About Surgery Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we’re developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments. Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of surgery? Ready to join a team that’s reimagining how we heal? Our Surgery team will give you the chance to deliver surgical technologies and solutions to surgeons and healthcare professionals around the world. Your contributions will help effectively treat some of the world’s most prevalent conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Patients are waiting. Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/medtech We are searching for the best talent for a Director, Wound Closure & Healing, Life Cycle Management R&D. This role will be located in Raritan, NJ & work a Flex/Hybrid schedule with 3 days per week on-site. Relocation assistance is available to qualified candidates. Our business offers a broad range of products and technologies, including surgical staplers, clip appliers, trocars and sealing devices—that are used in a wide variety of minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. Purpose: The Director of Wound Closure & Healing (WCH), Life Cycle Management (LCM) R&D – MedTech is responsible for leading the team that maintains the ~$3.6B portfolio of WCH product to best serve the needs of the customers and business while addressing changing compliance needs in the global marketplace. They are the primary R&D representative on all LCM governance councils for the WCH platform with Global Strategic Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality and Regulatory on how to maximize value on the existing portfolio and ensure and enhance compliance. They are accountable for developing value creation opportunities including new claims/new applications of existing products; developing the business case and prioritizing within the platform. As a member of the Biosurgery R&D Leadership Team, this role leads lifecycle management strategy and execution for the assigned business segment, ensuring portfolio value, compliance, and operational excellence. The Director builds and develops a high‑performing team, manages resources effectively, and partners closely with leaders across the organization to drive impact.
Requirements
- BS in Engineering/Science is required preferably in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science or Biomedical Engineering
- Significant experience in R&D, lifecycle management, or related leadership roles within MedTech, medical devices, or healthcare is required.
- Proven people and change leadership skills, including 8+ years of people leadership experience, with the ability to lead cross‑functional teams and drive transformation in a dynamic, matrixed environments is required.
- Experience working across global markets and regulatory environments is required.
- Proven ability to lead organizational change and operational transformation is required.
- Demonstrated success leading global, cross‑functional teams in a matrixed environment is required.
- Strong strategic thinking, decision‑making, and executive communication skills
- Strong engineering foundation combined with advanced problem‑solving, analytical, and project management capabilities to lead complex lifecycle initiatives is required.
- Excellent collaboration and influencing skills, enabling effective partnership across R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and commercial functions
- This position requires approximately 20% domestic and/or international travel.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced Degree (MS, PhD) in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science or Biomedical Engineering is preferred.
- Excellent collaboration and influencing skills, enabling effective partnership across R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and commercial functions is preferred.
- Experience in Wound Closure & Healing product categories (needles, sutures, tapes, topical skin adhesives, dressings, Wound Care products, etc.) and/or Biosurgical product categories (hemostats, sealants, adhesives, tissue scaffolds) is preferred.
Responsibilities
- LCM Project Governance Lead governance of LCM projects including CAPAs
- Manage resource and capability needs to deliver project against timelines
- Lead finished product LCM governance, strategy and project execution globally
- Partner closely with Supply Chain on project Strategy and Execution
- Lead Claims Process and Strategy Development
- Develop new capabilities in claims strategy, claims development and execution as the cross functional leader.
- Manage these projects as part of an integrated pipeline partnering with other leaders in R&D and GSM
- Support LCM operating model redesign
- This role leads the segment specific Lifecycle Management (LCM) strategy in the post separation operating model, ensuring strong alignment with New Product Development (NPD) to maximize clarity, efficiency, and portfolio impact
- The leader represents the LCM function across segment specific governance forums, driving streamlined decision making and organizational effectiveness
- Talent Development Develop diverse R&D team with a mindset for scaling best practices and continuous learning on process improvements
- Develop team skills in complex collaborations across R&D and Supply Chain
- Drive Culture of challenging bureaucracy
- Help lead cultural change for broader organization from following-the-process towards improving-the-process by challenging the status quo, i.e. increase individual accountability and ownership of process
- Champion for leading change and new ways of working and a role model for leading effectively through ambiguity
Benefits
- Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).
- Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:
- Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
- Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year
- Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
- Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
- Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
- Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
- Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days
- Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
- Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
