R&D Operations & Planning Lead

IGT, a Nevada Corporation•Spring Valley, NV

6d•$106,250 - $250,500

About The Position

The R&D Operations & Planning Lead is a pivotal role within the Advantage Core Team, responsible for driving operational excellence, planning, and execution across Global R&D initiatives. This leader will oversee the Software Implementation Managers (SPMs/SIMs), ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, process discipline, and delivery quality for Advantage product lines.

Requirements

Proven experience in R&D operations, project management, or software implementation leadership.
Strong understanding of agile and hybrid agile management methodologies.
Proficiency with project management tools (Jira, PPM, MS Project) and capacity planning.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and teams in parallel, balancing strategic and operational priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a team of Software Implementation Managers (SPMs/SIMs), providing guidance, support, and professional development.
Ensure consistent execution of R&D processes, sprint ceremonies, and project management best practices.
Serve as the primary point of contact for program managers, product managers, and other stakeholders regarding project status, risks, and issues.
Escalate deviations, risks, and resource constraints, ensuring timely resolution and explicit decision-making.
Reports to the Office of CTO, Process & Efficiency Lead, and R&D Engineering Leads.
Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Own R&D planning and coordination, including capacity planning, resource allocation, and financial management (budgeting, forecasting, and tracking actuals against plans).
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and forecasts in collaboration with program managers and product management.
Monitor and report on agreed R&D KPIs, driving accountability for delivery and quality.
Champion unified processes and tools (e.g., Jira, PPM, MS Project), ensuring efficient workflow and accurate tracking of tasks, dependencies, and deliverables.
Oversee the adoption and optimization of project management platforms and interfaces (e.g., Jira Plans)
Ensure process compliance and facilitate process improvements, with a focus on execution efficiency and operational scalability.