Abbott

Sr Manager, R&D Operational Excellence

Abbott$130K — $261K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or related field.
  • 8-12 years of experience in R&D, Program Management, or Business Operations.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
  • Strong project management and operational planning skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in executive communications and business reporting.

Responsibilities

  • Translate strategic priorities into actionable operating plans.
  • Track and report on key business goals and portfolio milestones.
  • Identify and resolve risks, dependencies, and resource constraints promptly.
  • Lead operating reviews and develop executive dashboards for portfolio governance.
  • Facilitate cross-functional issue resolution and ensure alignment across departments.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits for employees and families.
  • Support for continuous learning and development opportunities.
  • Dynamic work environments and opportunities for career progression.
Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Opportunity

Sr Manager, R&D Operational Excellence will serve as the operational leader and trusted partner to the Divisional Vice President of Heart Failure R&D, ensuring effective execution of the organization's priorities, portfolio commitments, and business objectives. Drives alignment, accountability, and execution across R&D and key partner functions, enabling the leadership team to deliver innovation programs on time, within budget, and in compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

Will business operations, governance, communications, and organizational effectiveness activities while identifying and removing barriers to execution. Acts as a central coordination point across the Heart Failure organization, ensuring priorities are translated into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.

What You'll Work On
  • Translate annual objectives and strategic priorities into actionable operating plans.
  • Track execution against key business goals, portfolio milestones, and organizational commitments.
  • Maintain visibility to risks, dependencies, and resource constraints and drive timely resolution.
  • Ensure leadership decisions are converted into assigned actions with clear ownership and follow-through.
  • Lead operating reviews and portfolio governance by developing executive dashboards, facilitating business reviews, and ensuring leadership has clear visibility into portfolio health, risks, decision, and progress.
  • Maintain portfolio dashboards, milestone tracking, and executive reporting.
  • Escalate critical issues impacting timelines, budgets, quality, or resource commitments.
  • Coordinate execution across Product Management, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Commercial functions.
  • Facilitate resolution of cross-functional issues and competing priorities.
  • Ensure alignment between product development, clinical, regulatory, and commercialization plans.
  • Create scalable operating processes that improve communication and collaboration across functional teams.
  • Manage leadership operating mechanisms including staff meetings, business reviews, and quarterly planning processes.
  • Drive and facilitate cross-functional organizational initiatives related to process improvement, employee engagement, culture, and team effectiveness.
  • Support annual planning, budget tracking, headcount management, and resource planning activities to align with organizational priorities.
  • Define, develop and monitor organizational performance metrics.
  • Prepare leadership presentations, business updates, executive communications, and organizational messaging.
  • Support internal communication of key decisions, priorities, and business results.
  • Ensure consistency and clarity of information across leadership teams and stakeholders.
  • Identify opportunities to improve organizational processes and implement scalable business practices that increase efficiency.
  • Monitor portfolio health across programs, proactively identifying execution risks, dependencies, constraints, and organizational impacts before they become leadership escalations.
  • Leverage data, automation, and AI-enabled workflows to improve operational efficiency, reporting, and decision support.


Critical Experiences to be ready for this role:
  • Experience managing complex programs or business operations within a medical device, healthcare, or regulated environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive execution across matrixed organizations.
  • Strong project management and operational planning capabilities.
  • Experience supporting senior leaders and managing executive-level priorities.
  • Ability to translate strategy into actionable workplans and measurable outcomes.
  • Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and organizational skills.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

Key Competencies:
  • Program management
  • Business operations
  • Project planning
  • Process improvement
  • Executive communication
  • Meeting facilitation
  • Stakeholder management
  • Organizational coordination
  • Budget management
  • Resource planning
  • Performance metrics
  • Risk management
  • Accountability
  • Attention to detail
  • Influence without authority
  • Adaptability


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field.
  • 8-12 years of experience in R&D, Program Management, Business Operations, Product Management, Strategy Execution, or related functions.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
  • Strong project management, operational planning, and organizational effectiveness skills.
  • Advanced proficiency with executive communications, business analysis, and reporting.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Healthcare, medical devices, or regulated industry experience strongly preferred.
  • MBA or advanced degree.


Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

The base pay for this position is
$130,700.00 - $261,300.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:
Product Development

DIVISION:
HF Heart Failure

LOCATION:
United States > Pleasanton : 6101 Stoneridge Dr

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:
Standard

TRAVEL:
Yes, 10 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

About Abbott

Abbott Careers

Joining Abbott means becoming part of a globally diverse team dedicated to making a lasting impact on human health. As a leader in healthcare innovation, Abbott provides a dynamic workplace where careers flourish through growth, leadership, and diversity training.

Opportunities at Abbott

Explore a world of opportunities with our team. Whether you're seeking job opportunities in engineering, marketing, research, or healthcare, Abbott offers a variety of positions that allow professionals to grow their careers. Our commitment to diversity and innovation is evident in every aspect of our work, fostering an inclusive culture that values each team member's contribution.

Work You'll Do

At Abbott, every role contributes to our mission of helping people live fuller lives through better health. From groundbreaking research in medical devices to advancements in pharmaceuticals, our team is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. By joining Abbott, you are not just accepting a job; you are embarking on a path of professional and personal growth.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an Abbott internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at Abbott work on projects that matter, gaining the experience and knowledge necessary to succeed in their future careers.

Professional Development

Abbott is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its employees. With access to cutting-edge technology, leadership programs, and diversity training, our team members are equipped to lead and innovate within the healthcare industry. We support your career journey with robust training programs, mentorship, and opportunities for networking and professional growth.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy comprehensive benefits designed to support their life and well-being. From health insurance to retirement plans, we ensure our team has everything they need to thrive. Abbott's culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, united by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes.

Join Our Team

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Abbott. We are hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to lead. Search open positions that match your skills and interests on our Jobs page. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and get ready to join a team that's at the cutting edge of healthcare solutions.

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Explore Abbott

With a commitment to improving life through innovation, leadership, and diversity, Abbott is a place where you can fulfill your potential. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Abbott by exploring our career opportunities today.

SEARCH ABBOTT JOBS

Join us in our mission to make the world a healthier place through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Your journey to a fulfilling career at Abbott starts here.
Learn more about Abbott
Size
113,000 employees
Market Cap
$189 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4.4 billion
Founded
1944
5 Year Trend
+15.6%
Revenue
$34.6 billion
NASDAQ

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