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# Chief R&D Officer – Raleigh, NC


Executive Search: Chief Research & Development Officer (Medical Device)
JRG Partners, a premier executive search firm, has been exclusively retained to identify a transformative and visionary Chief Research & Development (R&D) Officer for our client, a pioneering and rapidly growing medical device company based in the heart of the Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a career-defining opportunity to join a dynamic executive team and steer the innovation engine of a company dedicated to improving patient outcomes through groundbreaking technology. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with a profound understanding of the medical device landscape, a history of successful product commercialization, and a passion for building and mentoring high-performance teams.
Our client is at the forefront of developing next-generation medical technologies that address critical unmet clinical needs. With a robust pipeline and a commitment to excellence, they are poised for significant expansion. The Chief R&D Officer will be a cornerstone of this growth, responsible for the entire product development lifecycle, from initial concept and feasibility through to regulatory approval and market launch. This role demands a unique blend of scientific acumen, engineering expertise, strategic foresight, and inspirational leadership to cultivate a culture of relentless innovation and disciplined execution.
Role Overview for Chief R&D Officer – Raleigh, NC
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief R&D Officer will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. You will be entrusted with the strategic leadership and operational management of the entire global R&D organization. This encompasses product ideation, technology development, engineering, clinical research, and intellectual property strategy. You will be the primary architect of the company’s technological vision, ensuring that its R&D roadmap is not only ambitious and innovative but also tightly aligned with the overarching corporate strategy, market demands, and commercial objectives. Your leadership will be instrumental in maintaining the company’s competitive edge, fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and engineering excellence, and ultimately delivering a pipeline of safe, effective, and commercially successful medical devices that will shape the future of healthcare.
This is more than a management position; it is a role for a strategic visionary who can anticipate future trends in medicine and technology, identify disruptive opportunities, and translate them into a tangible product portfolio. You will be responsible for managing a significant budget, allocating resources effectively, and building a world-class R&D team capable of tackling the most complex challenges in medical device development. Your influence will extend across the entire organization as you collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure seamless product transitions from the laboratory to the global marketplace.
Key Responsibilities of Chief R&D Officer – Raleigh, NC
Strategic R&D Leadership
Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, long-range R&D and technology strategy that supports the company’s mission and business goals. Champion a forward-thinking innovation agenda, identifying and evaluating new technologies, potential partnerships, and strategic acquisitions to enhance the product portfolio.
Product Pipeline & Portfolio Management
Assume full ownership of the product development pipeline from concept to commercialization. Implement and refine robust product lifecycle management (PLM) processes, including stage-gate reviews, to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Make critical decisions regarding project prioritization and resource allocation to maximize return on investment.
Team Development & Mentorship
Lead, inspire, and mentor a multidisciplinary team of world-class scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers. Foster a dynamic, collaborative, and accountable culture that encourages creativity, risk-taking, and continuous learning. Attract and retain top-tier talent to build organizational capability for sustained growth.
Regulatory & Quality Excellence
Guarantee that all R&D activities and documentation rigorously adhere to global regulatory requirements and quality standards. This includes ensuring compliance with Design Controls (21 CFR 820.30), risk management (ISO 14971), and other relevant standards. You will work in lockstep with the Quality and Regulatory departments to create seamless submission strategies and navigate complex approval pathways with agencies such as the FDA and international notified bodies.
Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy
Drive the company’s intellectual property strategy to build and defend a dominant patent portfolio. Collaborate with legal counsel to identify patentable inventions, oversee the patent application process, and protect the company’s technological innovations and competitive advantage.
Fiscal & Operational Management
Develop and manage the annual R&D budget, ensuring efficient allocation of capital and human resources. Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track R&D performance, project progress, and departmental efficiency, reporting regularly to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a critical partner to the executive leadership team. Collaborate intimately with Marketing to define product requirements based on market analysis and voice-of-customer feedback. Work with Operations to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and a smooth transition into production. Partner with Clinical Affairs to design and execute effective clinical trials.
External Innovation & Partnerships
Act as a key external representative for the company’s technology. Build and maintain a strong network of relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), academic institutions, research centers, and strategic partners to stay at the cutting edge of medical innovation and inform the R&D strategy.
Requirements for the Chief R&D Officer – Raleigh, NC
Educational Background
An advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in a relevant technical field such as Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related life sciences discipline is required. An MBA is a plus.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience within the medical device industry, with at least 7 years in a senior R&D leadership capacity (e.g., Vice President of R&D, Senior Director). Demonstrable experience managing large, cross-functional teams and significant budgets is essential.
Technical & Product Development Expertise
A proven and verifiable track record of successfully leading the development and commercialization of complex, regulated medical devices, preferably Class II or Class III devices. Deep, hands-on knowledge of all phases of the product development process, including design controls, V&V, and risk management.
Regulatory Acumen
Extensive, practical experience navigating the global regulatory landscape. Must have a thorough understanding of FDA regulations (e.g., 510(k), PMA, De Novo pathways), CE marking (MDR), and other international regulatory requirements. Direct experience interacting with regulatory agencies is highly desirable.
Visionary Leadership
Exceptional leadership qualities with the ability to inspire confidence, motivate teams, and drive a culture of high performance and innovation. Must be a strategic thinker with the capacity to operate at both a high strategic level and a detailed tactical level.
Business & Financial Acumen
Strong business acumen with an understanding of how R&D integrates with the broader commercial objectives of the organization. Experience with financial modeling, budget forecasting, and resource planning for R&D functions.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. The ability to clearly and persuasively articulate complex technical concepts and strategic vision to a wide range of audiences, including the Board of Directors, investors, internal teams, and external partners.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

A competitive executive base salary and performance-based annual bonus.
A significant long-term incentive package, including stock options or equity grants.
Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
Generous paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid company holidays.
A full relocation assistance package for the successful candidate and their family.
A professional development allowance for conferences, continuing education, and training.
The opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art facility in one of the nation’s most vibrant technology and life sciences hubs.

How to Apply
JRG Partners is proud to be the exclusive search firm for this pivotal leadership role. We are seeking a transformative R&D leader who is ready to make a lasting impact on patient care and the future of medical technology. If your experience and aspirations align with the challenges and opportunities of this position, we invite you to begin a confidential conversation with us.
To submit your application or to learn more about our dedicated recruitment process for senior-level positions, we encourage you to visit our website. Please explore our expertise in the Medical Device & Diagnostics sector to connect with our specialized team. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality.