At Medtronic, our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life delivered therapies that improved the lives of more than 79 million people last year. That’s two people, every second, of every day and counting. We push the limits of what technology, therapies, and services can do to help alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. We challenge ourselves and each other to make tomorrow better than yesterday. It is what makes this an exciting and rewarding place to be.
About the Role
As Vice President, R&D, you will shape the innovation strategy that advances life-changing solutions for patients worldwide. Partnering with executive leaders and global teams, you will drive scientific discovery, product development, and clinical excellence to bring new therapies to market.
This is an onsite role at our Jacksonville, Florida, location. Relocation support may be provided.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic vision and leadership for R&D, ensuring alignment with Medtronic’s enterprise goals
- Lead innovation and product development programs from concept through commercialization, fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement
- Oversee clinical trial execution, including development of clinical protocols and preparation of documentation for regulatory approvals
- Build and manage high-performing global teams, developing talent and creating a culture of accountability and inclusion
- Partner across functions — quality, regulatory, operations, marketing, and commercial — to deliver growth and patient impact.
- Engage with external stakeholders, including research institutions, industry collaborators, and key opinion leaders, to advance Medtronic’s leadership in innovation
- Drive operational excellence with a focus on ROI, timely delivery, and compliance with global standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field
- 12+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience (13+ with an advanced degree), including at least 13 years in managerial roles
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s or PhD in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related discipline
- Experience in medical technology or other highly regulated industries
- Demonstrated success in medical device or healthcare R&D with strong regulatory knowledge
- Proven track record leading global teams and delivering products from early research through commercialization
- Ability to influence across executive leadership, boards, and external partners
- Expertise in innovation management, portfolio strategy, and digital/Industry 4.0 technologies
- Strong financial and commercial acumen; ability to link R&D investment to business outcomes
- Visionary thinker with a growth mindset and passion for innovation
- Courageous, decisive leader who drives accountability and delivers results the right way
- Collaborative, inclusive leadership style with strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to anticipate future trends and shape long-term R&D strategies
- Resilient, adaptable, and committed to fostering belonging across diverse teams
- On-time, on-budget delivery of new product development programs.
- Strength of innovation pipeline and speed to market.
- Engagement, development, and retention of top talent.
- Positive organizational health and inclusion scores.
- Regulatory approvals and successful product launches that improve patient outcomes.
About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Medtronic plc is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries.
Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary.
