Program Manager - Point of Care (Ottawa)

Abbott • Ottawa, ON

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position works out of our Ottawa location in the Point of Care division and requires on‑site presence four days per week, with the option to work remotely one day. As the Program Manager in Research and Development, you’ll have the chance to be accountable for leading and executing complex, cross‑functional R&D programs in accordance with the organization’s program and product development methodologies. The role partners closely with R&D leadership, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial partners to deliver new products, line extensions, and sustaining initiatives across the product lifecycle. This role operates at a strategic level, integrating technical, regulatory, and business considerations to ensure disciplined execution, proactive risk management, and timely decision-making for priority R&D programs that directly impact enterprise strategy, portfolio planning, and commercialization success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or a related discipline.
• Eight plus years of progressive experience in program or project management within R&D or regulated product development environments, including demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross‑functional programs in regulated industries (medical devices, diagnostics, life sciences strongly preferred), including program financial management, budget planning, tracking, and forecasting.
• Proven proficiency with phase‑gated product development, design control, and lifecycle management processes.
• Experience working across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing/Operations, and Commercial functions.
• Ability to operate effectively in global, matrixed organizations and influence without direct authority.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Agile, hybrid, or traditional development models; familiarity with SCRUM is a plus.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project/program management certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end execution of multiple highly critical R&D programs, including new product development, design changes, and sustaining initiatives.
• Drive program delivery across the product development lifecycle, ensuring adherence to phase‑gate, design control, and change management processes.
• Integrate program plans across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Clinical, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions.
• Ensure program execution aligns with business priorities, portfolio strategy, and long‑term platform or technology roadmaps.
• Establish and maintain integrated program plans, schedules, budgets, and dependency maps.
• Monitor execution against agreed scope, timeline, cost, and quality targets; identify and resolve execution issues to minimize delays.
• Lead formal risk, issue, and change control processes, including impact assessments and executive‑level recommendations.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, KPIs, and program health metrics to support data‑driven governance and decision‑making.
• Partner closely with senior leadership and program sponsors to provide transparent, executive‑ready updates on progress, risks, trade‑offs, and decision needs.
• Prepare and present program reviews, milestone updates, and escalation materials to leadership forums.
• Influence prioritization, resourcing, and investment decisions through clear articulation of technical, regulatory, and business implications.
• Maintain strong, trusted relationships across global cross‑functional teams and leadership stakeholders.
• Coordinate inputs from R&D disciplines (systems, hardware, software, assay/chemistry, usability, clinical), Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams into a cohesive program strategy.
• Select and manage relationships with internal partners, ensuring alignment with program requirements, quality standards, and timelines.
• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory partners to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and internal procedures (e.g., design controls, DHF, risk management).
• Provide clear role clarity, accountability, and execution discipline to core and extended program teams.
• Foster a high‑performance, collaborative culture focused on ownership, transparency, and proactive risk management.
• Coach and mentor project and sub‑team leads on program management best practices and execution rigor.
• Lead retrospectives and lessons‑learned activities to drive continuous improvement in R&D execution.
• Drive adoption of improved tools, processes, and governance models to enhance R&D program execution effectiveness.
• Support change management and transformation initiatives within R&D by identifying barriers, engaging stakeholders, and reinforcing change readiness behaviors.

Benefits

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for, as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior