Trait Characterization & Development (TCD) Leader

Corteva Agriscience • Des Moines, IA

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Trait Characterization & Development (TCD) Leader is accountable for end‑to‑end leadership of trait characterization, testing, and development within Biotechnology, ensuring Biotech and GE traits and pipelines progress from discovery into robust, decision‑ready, and scalable development pathways. This role provides strategic, scientific, and global operational leadership across Biotech seed production, characterization, field testing, facilities, and development infrastructure. The TCD Leader translates Biotechnology traits project strategy into executable characterization and development plans, enabling high‑quality portfolio and advancement decisions and supporting near‑, mid‑, and long‑term product opportunities. As a member of the Biotechnology Leadership Team, the TCD Leader plays a critical role in decision‑making, portfolio integration, and organizational leadership, balancing scientific rigor, operational excellence, and strategic focus. Because of the remote footprint of the TCD organization, international travel will be required (3-4 times per year, LA Focused), and domestic travel monthly.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline (Ph.D. strongly preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in R&D in agricultural industry, preferably field testing
• Deep experience in trait development, characterization, testing, and related biotechnology domains.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross‑functional organizations.
• Proven ability to make high‑quality decisions under ambiguity and to influence outcomes at the enterprise level.
• Strong systems thinking, strategic judgment, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the TCD strategy in alignment with Biotechnology and Seed R&D priorities.
• Translate Biotech and GE strategies into clear characterization and development roadmaps, aligned to integrated product concepts.
• Provide leadership on prioritization, sequencing, and trade‑off decisions across development programs under conditions of technical and resource uncertainty.
• Ensure characterization and development activities are aligned with advancement criteria, regulatory pathways, and downstream deployment needs.
• Partner closely with portfolio, platform, and Seed R&D leaders to align characterization data, testing systems, and performance expectations.
• Provide functional leadership for field testing, facilities, and development infrastructure supporting Biotechnology pipelines.
• Oversee alignment of development capabilities with current and future portfolio needs, including scale, throughput, quality, and geographic coverage.
• Drive continuous improvement and modernization of characterization systems, testing platforms, and operational workflows.
• Partner with cross‑functional leaders (operations, facilities, digital, engineering) to evolve infrastructure and capabilities in support of long‑term strategy.
• Ensure disciplined execution of characterization and development activities across Biotechnology pipelines.
• Establish and maintain consistent standards for scientific rigor, data quality, and comparability across programs.
• Clearly frame technical risks, uncertainties, and options to support LT‑level portfolio and investment decisions.
• Act as a steward of development discipline, ensuring that speed is balanced with quality and learning.
• Ensure timely delivery of decision‑relevant data packages that support integrated product planning and execution.
• Represent TCD in cross‑LT workstreams, transformation initiatives, and enterprise programs, ensuring TCD implications are reflected in plans and commitments.
• Serve as a connective leader across Biotechnology, Seed Product Development, R&D partners and Commercial to ensure alignment from discovery through development and deployment.
• Contribute to enterprise and Biotech “big rock” initiatives requiring coordinated execution across functions.
• Lead the TCD organization, setting direction, expectations, and performance standards for leaders and teams.
• Accountable for organizational design, role clarity, and talent development to ensure the organization can deliver against evolving portfolio demands.
• Develop leaders and technical talent, ensuring succession, capability depth, and long‑term organizational health.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and disciplined execution across a geographically and functionally distributed organization.

Benefits

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees