Director, Research and Development

About the Position

Director, Research and Development

At Stryker, we are looking for a visionary leader to join our team as the Director, Research and Development. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, product development, and regulatory strategy to achieve sustainable business growth. You will lead Stryker Sustainability Solutions (SSS) and oversee the development and commercialization of new and expanded product offerings.

Responsibilities

Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the Business Unit Leadership Team (BULT), shaping business strategy and enterprise priorities.
• Establish and execute functional and departmental strategies aligned with business goals.
• Drive organizational alignment, decision-making, and resolution of complex business challenges.
• Identify and advance growth opportunities across product portfolios and business units.

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead global research and development programs from concept through commercialization.
• Drive product development strategy, processes, and execution across the organization.
• Ensure successful product transitions into manufacturing through strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee project planning, resource allocation, schedules, milestones, and portfolio performance.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement through Lean and problem-solving methodologies.

Regulatory Affairs, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FDA, EU, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Provide leadership for design controls, product development documentation, and quality system processes.
• Support and strengthen Quality Management System initiatives and performance metrics.
• Review and approve technical and regulatory deliverables to ensure compliance and product quality.

Customer & Market Engagement

• Lead customer-focused innovation and research activities, partnering with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and external stakeholders to inform product strategy.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and market opportunities to support long-term growth.
• Ensure customer needs remain central to product and portfolio decisions.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing, and other functions to achieve business objectives.
• Drive alignment across teams, divisions, customers, and key stakeholders.
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that advance innovation and business performance.

Financial & Operational Leadership

• Own departmental budgets, resource planning, and financial performance.
• Drive financial accountability across programs, projects, and cost centers.
• Monitor portfolio performance through effective reporting, metrics, and governance.
• Ensure efficient use of resources while balancing strategic priorities and business objectives.

Talent Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, diverse, and engaged R&D organization.
• Attract, retain, and develop top talent through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Create a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Develop future leaders and maintain a strong talent pipeline.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or applicable technical field; master’s degree preferred.
• 12+ years applicable experience in medical device, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or a similarly regulated industry.
• 6+ years direct people management experience preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent cross-functional team leadership capabilities.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, organization, and communication skills.
• Business development experience preferred.
• 510K and premarket submission experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of FDA (GMP/QSR) and ISO requirements.
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of, experience in, and ability to mentor in one or more technical/functional disciplines.
• Talented performance coach who is skilled at providing actionable feedback to team members, setting clear performance objectives, and managing team member performance.
• Advanced understanding that contributes to the overall business strategy relative to the healthcare market and competitors, conversant in clinical issues of relevance to Stryker.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex plans and technical information to team members and executive leaders across divisions.
• Proven ability to deliver programs or other business goals on time, on quality, and within budget.

We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $155,900 - $259,700 USD Annual.
• Health Benefits: Medical and prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, personalized healthcare support, wellbeing program, and tobacco cessation program.
• Financial Benefits: Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), 401(k) plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), basic life and AD&D insurance, and short-term disability insurance.

About the Company

Stryker offers innovative products and services in MedSurg, Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics that help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. Alongside its customers around the world, Stryker impacts more than 150 million patients annually. Depending on customer requirements, employees and new hires in sales and field roles that require access to customer accounts as a function of the job may be required to obtain various vaccinations as an essential function of their role.

Join us at Stryker and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of millions of patients globally.