Director, R&D Operations

Vantive is a vital organ therapy company on a mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients and care teams everywhere. For 70 years, our team has driven meaningful innovations in kidney care. As we build on our legacy, we are deepening our commitment to elevating the dialysis experience through digital solutions and advanced services, while looking beyond kidney care and investing in transforming vital organ therapies. Greater flexibility and efficiency in therapy administration for care teams, and longer, fuller lives for patients— that is what Vantive aspires to deliver.

We believe Vantive will not only build our leadership in the kidney care space, it will also offer meaningful work to those who join us. At Vantive, you will become part of a community of people who are focused, courageous and don’t settle for the mediocre. Each of us is driven to help improve patients’ lives worldwide. Join us in advancing our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities.

The Director of R&D Operations is a strategic leadership role responsible for providing organizational, administrative, and operational leadership for a dynamic, growing global R&D organization. Reporting directly to the SVP, R&D, this role serves as a trusted advisor, thought partner, and operational leader, ensuring the execution of strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, and cross-functional collaboration and decision-making. The Director partners closely with the SVP R&D to define and drive implementation of R&D priorities and plays a key role in fostering a highly inclusive culture where team members thrive. 

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provides strategic, organizational, and administrative leadership for day-to-day operations of the R&D organization. 

• Partners closely with SVP R&D to define & drive implementation of R&D strategies, investment priorities, determine future capability needs tied to future growth strategy. 

• Drives alignment across R&D priorities, programs, and resources to ensure execution against business objectives. 

• Develops and presents sound proposals and recommendations; leads discussions to determine and prioritize strategic priorities. 

• Serves as trusted advisor to SVP R&D and senior leadership, synthesizing complex business inputs from across the company to inform 

• Acts as an internal consultant to drive collaboration, cross-functional clarity, and alignment on R&D projects, initiatives, and operations. 

Business Operations & Process Excellence

• Implements and continuously improves R&D business processes, governance frameworks, and reporting mechanisms.  

• Works with the SVP of R&D to manage budgets, forecast spending, and coordinate annual financial processes. Partners with SVP of R&D, RDLT, and Finance to support resourcing, AOP planning, and quarterly financial updates. 

• Partners with Finance and the SVP to develop and refine long-range financial plans, ensuring R&D investment strategies align with corporate growth and innovation goals. 

• Manages special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the SVP of R&D.  

• Supports a broad range of functional areas and partners on or leads R&D projects as needed.  

• Utilizes excellent planning skills to ensure all department projects remain on track and teams are aligned. 

• Identifies best practices across functions to fast-track efficiencies and impact.  

• Objectively assesses and resolves R&D project and operational issues by identifying root causes as opportunities to improve effectiveness.  

• Maintains a high compliance posture and ensures adherence to company policies, quality system requirements, and other legal and regulatory directives. 

Leadership & Communication

• Plays a key role in ensuring a highly inclusive culture within R&D, demonstrating and fueling Vantive’s Cultural Values across the Global R&D team.  

• Drives the establishment of R&D communications objectives and their implementation across multiple platforms (including but not limited to board meetings, townhalls, investor meetings).  

• Serves as a key liaison between SVP R&D and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring timely and effective communication.  

• Prepares executive-level communications utilizing a clear understanding of the business strategy.  

• Tracks and reports progress across key operational activities (e.g., hiring updates, tracking progress against established key priorities and goals).  

• Builds strong relationships across the organization to drive collaboration and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. 

Requirements

• Proven record of leading large-scale programs, business operations, or portfolio management in a complex, global environment. 

• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills 

• Strong executive presence with proven ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level presentations and reports. 

• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvement, change management, and organizational effectiveness. 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, life sciences, business, or related field required with 10+ years of relevant experience required. 

• Master’s or PhD in similar fields preferred. 

• Relevant experience includes work in medical device software engineering (e.g., quality management systems—ISO 13485, ISO 14971, cybersecurity, internationalization, localization, integration, mobility) or other regulated industries. 

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Vantive, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $200,000 - $260,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

US Benefits at Vantive

This is where your well-being matters. Vantive offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Aon Pooled Employer Plan (“Aon PEP”), Vantive’s 401(k) retirement savings plan, to help you prepare for your future.  The Aon PEP is designed to help improve retirement outcomes by providing retirement resources more efficiently.  The plan offers a robust set of investment options, financial education, and a suite of resources to support your retirement goals.

We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Vantive’s US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Vantive

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantive is an equal opportunity employer. Vantive evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodation

Vantive is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information. Form Link

Recruitment Fraud Notice

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