Description
The Associate Director, R&I Technical Project Management is responsible for leading the end-to-end technical execution of a portfolio of innovation and strategic initiatives across the new product launch (NPL) lifecycle. Serving as the single technical integration point, this role drives cross-functional alignment, risk management, timeline adherence, and decision-making to ensure successful delivery of new product launches.
This position partners closely with R&D, Packaging Development, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Brand teams to translate business objectives into executable technical plans, proactively identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies that enable on-time and high-quality product commercialization. This position will partner closely with brand NPL, serving as the single technical voice for updates regarding their specific launches.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Project Leadership
• Serve as technical lead for new product launches from concept through commercialization.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate integrated cross-functional project timelines, milestones, critical paths, and technical learning plan development.
• Serve as the primary technical project lead and central point of integration across all development functions.
• Drive project governance processes, stage-gate reviews, readiness assessments, and leadership updates.
• Ensure technical execution aligns with business objectives, innovation strategies, and launch commitments.
• Develop and implement best practices, processes, and tools that improve project execution efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that accelerate development timelines and enhance organizational agility.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Partner with brand, innovation, and technical leaders to establish development strategies and launch plans. Coordinate activities across functions.
• Facilitate project meetings, decision-making forums, and technical reviews.
• Align stakeholders on priorities, deliverables, and timelines while ensuring accountability for project execution.
• Translate technical challenges into actionable recommendations for business and functional leaders.
Risk Management & Problem Solving
• Identify technical, operational, supply chain, and timing risks throughout the development process.
• Lead risk mitigation planning and contingency development.
• Drive cross-functional problem-solving efforts to address issues that could impact project milestones or launch readiness.
• Escalate critical risks and provide recommended solutions to leadership.
Strategic Partnership & Innovation Enablement
• Support early-stage innovation efforts by assessing technical requirements, risks, and feasibility.
• Provide leadership and direction on project planning approaches for highly complex or strategically important initiatives.
• Facilitate informed decision-making through data-driven project analysis and recommendations.
Leadership & Organizational Impact
• Build strong collaborative relationships across global and regional organizations.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a role model for effective project leadership and stakeholder engagement.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Product Development, or related technical field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
Experience
• 5+ years of experience in technical project management, R&D, product development, program management, or related functions.
• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional new product development programs.
• Experience within beauty, consumer products, personal care, pharmaceutical, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
Skills & Competencies
• Advanced project and portfolio management expertise.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and organizational skills.
• Expertise in risk identification, mitigation, and issue resolution.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and executive presentation capabilities.
• Ability to balance technical detail with business priorities and commercialization objectives.
• Experience with project management systems and Microsoft 365 tools.
Success Measures
• On-time delivery of new product launches against agreed milestones.
• Successful achievement of commercialization objectives.
• Effective management of project risks and dependencies.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and cross-functional team effectiveness.
• Improvements in speed-to-market and project execution efficiency.
• Development of organizational capabilities and project management best practices.
Pay Range:
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $102,400.00 to $168,750.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program as well as participation in the share incentive plan. In addition,
In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results. In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company.
