Senior Director NA Brand R&D Lead

Opella Healthcare Group SAS

$183K — $265K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline required; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
  • 10+ years of R&D experience in consumer health brand innovation.
  • Proven experience developing OTC and NDA products with FDA submissions.
  • Strong capability in translating consumer insights into strategic actions.
  • Demonstrated leadership in coaching and managing cross-functional teams.
  • Experience establishing external partnerships and staying ahead of industry trends.
  • Proven ability to lead a diverse innovation portfolio.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the R&D innovation pipeline for brand development and execution.
  • Drive product development projects including formulations and sustainability initiatives.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches.
  • Develop and execute patent strategies to create differentiated products.
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to manage project risks and deliver innovation.
  • Prioritize base business protection projects to ensure product quality.
  • Inspire cross-functional teams to drive accountability and achieve R&D objectives.

Benefits

  • Participation in company employee benefit programs.
Full Job Description
About the job:

  • Lead initiatives that advance our brands and strengthen our reputation worldwide.
  • Mentor and uplift emerging talent while pushing your own growth and influence.
  • Put purpose into practice - embedding sustainability, access and social impact into every decision.
  • Model the challenger mindset: question complexity, act with integrity and make things radically simple.
  • Help shape a culture that's ambitious, collaborative and serious about recognition and belonging.
  • Drive the end-to-end R&D strategy, innovation pipeline, and execution for North America Allergy and Sleep brands by translating science and technology into consumer-focused products, partnering with Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and Medical to deliver business growth and successful product launches.
  • Lead the long-term brand portfolio and innovation roadmap (1-5 years), using consumer insights, scientific expertise, and external partnerships to develop differentiated products, support patent strategy, ensure on-time project execution, and align with sustainability and regulatory priorities.


Main Responsibilities:

  • Lead the R&D innovation pipeline for assigned brands, delivering new products and innovations that meet growth and sales objectives while ensuring consistent execution across the portfolio.
  • Drive short-, medium-, and long-term product development projects, including new formulations, claims, clinical studies, packaging innovations, and sustainability initiatives, while accelerating decision-making and execution.
  • Partner closely with Marketing, Sales, Consumer Science, and Project Management to develop larger, consumer-driven innovation projects and ensure successful, on-time product launches.
  • Develop and execute patent strategies and leverage external technology partnerships to create differentiated products and strengthen the long-term innovation pipeline.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Development, Packaging, Finance, Regulatory, and other key stakeholders to build strong business cases, manage project risks, and deliver high-impact innovation.
  • Prioritize and lead base business protection projects to maintain product quality, compliance, and supply continuity while balancing business risk.
  • Inspire and lead cross-functional teams by fostering innovation, encouraging bold decision-making, and driving accountability to achieve business and R&D objectives.


About you:
  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline required; Master's or Ph.D. preferred, with 10+ years of R&D experience leading innovation pipelines and delivering successful product development for consumer health brands.
  • Proven experience developing OTC and NDA products, supporting FDA submissions, and managing multiple brands across various regulatory pathways while driving innovation and business growth.
  • Strong ability to translate consumer insights into brand strategies, communicate complex science to diverse stakeholders, and influence business decisions through effective storytelling.
  • Demonstrated leadership in building and coaching cross-functional technical teams, allocating resources, managing budgets, identifying risks, and driving innovation projects from concept through commercial launch.
  • Experience establishing external partnerships with suppliers, research organizations, and key opinion leaders while staying ahead of industry trends to identify new technologies, ingredients, formulations, claims, and sustainable product opportunities.
  • Proven ability to lead a diverse innovation portfolio, including business development opportunities, new product development, clinical programs, novel formulation technologies, and sustainability initiatives.
  • Strong strategic mindset with experience partnering across R&D, Regulatory, Marketing, Project Management, and Commercial teams to deliver high-impact innovation and long-term portfolio growth.


North America Applicants Only

The salary range for this position is: $ 183,750.00 - $ 265,416.66

All Compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs.

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