R&D Lab Director

Company OverviewA rapidly growing consumer-focused healthcare organization is expanding its portfolio of pharmaceutical and telehealth products. The company operates multiple healthcare service lines, including pharmacy operations, telemedicine, and ecommerce, supported by a diverse team of professionals across scientific, technical, and operational functions. As part of its accelerated growth strategy, the organization is launching a significant pipeline of new pharmaceutical products and investing heavily in R&D expansion.The team is seeking an experienced and decisive R&D Lab Director to lead laboratory operations during a period of substantial growth and high-volume product development. This role is essential to enabling long-term innovation and supporting the launch of numerous new products in alignment with business objectives.Role OverviewThe R&D Lab Director will oversee multiple simultaneous development programs, manage laboratory machinery and infrastructure, build and scale an R&D team, and serve as a critical liaison between executive leadership and technical staff. The ideal candidate brings deep scientific expertise combined with strong leadership, communication, and operational decision-making abilities.This is an on-site leadership role, and the organization is seeking someone who thrives in a collaborative, in-person environment.ResponsibilitiesR&D LeadershipLead R&D activities to support the launch of a large portfolio of new pharmaceutical products.Manage formulation development, testing, and early-stage scale-up across multiple concurrent projects.Establish scalable, repeatable R&D processes to increase speed while maintaining quality and compliance.Drive prioritization to align lab capacity with organizational and executive goals.Project & Timeline ManagementOwn planning, timelines, and milestones across numerous concurrent R&D initiatives.Create and maintain systems for tracking progress, dependencies, risks, and deliverables.Identify and address bottlenecks, resource constraints, and technical risks.Provide clear forecasts and status updates to leadership.Manage departmental budgets to ensure cost control and proportional resource use.Lab Machinery & InfrastructureOversee daily operation, maintenance, calibration, and qualification of lab equipment and pharmaceutical machinery.Ensure equipment readiness to support accelerated development timelines.Lead equipment selection, upgrades, vendor coordination, and validation activities.Maintain documentation, logs, and SOPs aligned with GMP and regulatory requirements.Team Leadership & People ManagementBuild, develop, and manage a high-performing R&D team, including scientists, technicians, and lab support staff.Set clear expectations and ensure accountability across projects.Coach the team on technical execution, productivity, and cross-functional communication.Support hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management during organizational scale-up.Executive & Cross-Functional CommunicationServe as the primary communication bridge between executive leadership and laboratory teams.Translate strategic business priorities into actionable R&D plans and timelines.Communicate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Collaborate closely with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and other operational functions.Decision-Making, Compliance & Risk ManagementMake timely, data-driven decisions in a fast-paced environment.Ensure compliance with GMP, GLP, FDA, and related pharmaceutical regulations.Support audits, inspections, and internal reviews in partnership with Quality and Regulatory teams.Uphold safety standards, documentation practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biology, or related field.7 years of pharmaceutical R&D experience, including 3 years in a leadership or lab management role.Demonstrated ability to manage high volumes of simultaneous R&D projects.Hands-on experience with pharmaceutical laboratory equipment and machinery.Strong history of team leadership, performance management, and operational decision-making.Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.Preferred ExperienceExperience in telehealth, digital health, or direct-to-consumer healthcare environments.Background in formulation development, product lifecycle management, and tech transfer.Familiarity with rapid product launch models or scaled R&D operations.Experience with project tracking tools, LIMS systems, or process automation.BenefitsCompany-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus short-term disability and life insurance.401(k) program with employer match.Paid time off and company-recognized holidays.Complimentary daily lunch.

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000