R&D Head of Advanced Research

Haleon

13d

About The Position

We are seeking a R&D Head of Advanced Research to lead a central, enterprise‑level R&D capability acting as a Deep Technology Accelerator. This role is responsible for identifying, prioritising, and scaling breakthrough technologies that fuel long‑term product superiority, category leadership, and competitive advantage. Operating at the intersection of advanced science, consumer insight, external innovation, and emerging technologies, the Head of Advanced Research will build future‑facing platforms and pipelines that redefine category standards and unlock sustainable growth. The role partners closely with senior enterprise leaders and represents the organisation externally across the global innovation ecosystem. The core mission is to break traditional trade‑offs—such as sustainability versus performance—by systematically developing innovations that sit at the intersection of unmet consumer needs and science opportunities. Success is measured by the speed, quality, and impact of breakthrough technologies brought to market, and by the role’s influence on enterprise‑wide transformation. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of science‑led innovation at enterprise scale, combining deep technical leadership with external influence, strategic partnerships, and long-term value creation.

Requirements

MBA or PhD required
Life Sciences or closely related discipline preferred
10+ years in advanced research, life sciences, or deep technology leadership roles (20+ years preferred for senior candidates)
Track record for value creation, growth acceleration with a strong business acumen and deep understanding of business models and joint value creation partnerships
Strong technical life sciences foundation with a proven record of industry‑leading innovation at global scale
Extensive external network across academia, start‑ups, founders, suppliers, and emerging technology ecosystems
Demonstrated experience in IP strategy, regulatory awareness, and technology governance
Strong consumer and market insight capability, combined with agile, cross‑functional leadership
Strong people leadership experience, typically managing 5+ senior professionals.

Responsibilities

Build a breakthrough technology pipeline
Create and deliver a multi‑year, high‑impact pipeline of advanced technology platforms that fuels global category innovation, supported by step‑changing patents, intellectual property, and proprietary inventions.
External technology & partnership leadership
Lead the identification, evaluation, and commercialisation of external technologies through licensing, joint development, acquisition, and strategic partnerships. Assess high‑value opportunities for potential and long-term technology collaboration.
Open innovation ecosystem development
Establish a world‑class open innovation network spanning start‑ups, founders, CEOs, universities, suppliers, venture capital, and private equity. Build a strategic supplier Joint Value Creation (JVC) model and convene a scientific technology advisory board of leading global innovators.
Advanced consumer research & analytics
Lead advanced consumer research and analytics capabilities, leveraging AI and data platforms to unlock breakthrough trends, emerging Intellectual Property, benefits, forms, claims, and scientific communication that build external scientific credibility.
Evidence generation & scientific rigour
Create and scale high‑throughput screening and evidence‑generation capabilities that deliver defensible, claims‑ready science and demonstrable product superiority versus competition.
Platform scaling & de‑risking
Develop advanced technology platforms through iterative consumer and scientific evaluation loops, ensuring new concepts are pressure‑tested, de‑risked, and commercially viable before full-scale development.
Enterprise impact
This role is a catalyst for enterprise innovation and growth, redefining category standards and shaping future‑proof competitive advantage. Working closely with the Chief R&D Officer, the Head of Advanced Research contributes directly to building a breakthrough pipeline representing a significant share of future global innovation growth.