Program Director, Sports Medicine (Andover, MA)

Smith & Nephew•Andover, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role leads large-scale, complex New Product Development (NPD) and product platform programs, overseeing the full lifecycle from concept through commercialization. The position partners closely with cross-functional teams—including R&D, Marketing, Quality, Operations, and Regulatory Affairs—to ensure products meet customer needs and comply with all relevant standards. A deep understanding of technologies, development methodologies, and cross-functional deliverables is essential to effectively manage trade-offs and drive successful outcomes. This individual acts as a key facilitator within the NPD process, bringing strong urgency and a focus on innovation while ensuring alignment across stakeholders. This individual plays a critical role in advancing continuous improvement by refining governance models, enhancing ways of working, and embedding best practices across teams. In addition, this role is responsible for leading change initiatives, establishing new standard work, and shaping team mindsets to support evolving organizational needs. Ownership of PMO and R&D processes is expected, with accountability for driving efficiency, consistency, and sustained performance improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in a (relevant to product development scope) technical field required, master’s degree in technical field preferred. Examples include Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Mechanical Engineering
Product Development, Product Regulation and Project Management knowledge demonstrated by current industry-standard certifications Examples include Project Management Professional (PMP), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Certified Product Owner, Certified Scrum Master, Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP), Projects in Controlled Environments (Prince 2), International Project Management Association (IPMA) Level 2 or above, ISO 13485, FDA QSR 21 CFR 820
Engineering Experience: developed New Products hands-on, from inception to launch
Project Management Experience: led large-scale, complex New Product Development Programs, from inception to launch at a global scale; experience with Agile product development methodology.
Organizational scope: led complex projects requiring significant geographic and organizational stakeholder engagement and alignment
People Leader Experience: led people, preferred in an multinational environment
Direct involvement in regulatory clearance for Class II or Class III product in EU, China or U.S.
Project planning, project scope management, project risk management, project value assessment, project resource management, team management and leadership, teaching and coaching, communication management, stakeholder management, continuous improvement

Nice To Haves

master’s degree in technical field preferred

Responsibilities

Establish and lead cross-functional program core team in collaboration with functional managers and scrum masters.
Program planning, progress tracking, re-planning, Information and status sharing; establish program KPIs as appropriate utilizing relevant program management practices including Agile framework.
Lead program execution per Agile Playbook, and cross-functional communications to achieve program objectives, owner of key Agile ceremonies.
Facilitate decision making affecting Scope, Budget, Schedule and Quality, as well as Product Lifecycle Management.
Demonstrate and exercise knowledge of business case impact any program deviation from KPIs might have, including market assessment and customer needs.
Lead Technical Project Managers (TPM) from a program perspective, defines, shapes, and incorporates their deliverables in overall program.