Vice President, Ostomy Care R&D and Applied Research

About Convatec

Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With more than 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec’s revenues in 2024 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit http://www.convatecgroup.com

This is an exceptional opportunity for a bold, purpose-led R&D executive to shape the future of Ostomy Care innovation while leading Applied Research as a strategic engine for next-generation technology platforms across Convatec.

We are looking for a leader who combines deep science and engineering judgement with the pace, courage and accountability to turn ideas into meaningful outcomes. Someone who can think deeply, move quickly, build shared ownership across the enterprise, value different voices, and inspire talented teams to deliver products and technologies that help people live with greater confidence, mobility and freedom.

As Vice President, Ostomy Care R&D and Applied Research, you will lead the end-to-end product development and lifecycle management portfolio for our Ostomy Care business and set the direction for Applied Research across Convatec. You will sit at the intersection of science, engineering, customer insight, clinical relevance and commercial growth, ensuring our innovation pipeline delivers high-quality, user-centred solutions that are manufacturable at scale, evidence-based, and capable of making a lasting difference for patients, clinicians and caregivers.

This is a visible enterprise leadership role for someone who will set direction, bring the right people together and make things happen. You will lead with humility and curiosity, challenge the status quo with confidence, and create the conditions for high-performing teams to grow, collaborate and deliver with discipline.

You will lead on the following :

Shaping the future of Ostomy Care innovation: Defining and delivering a focused product development and lifecycle management portfolio aligned to business growth priorities, customer needs and differentiated product performance.

Building Applied Research as an innovation engine: Translating advances in materials science, biomedical science, human factors and mechanism-driven performance into future technology platforms for Convatec.

Delivering execution excellence: Establishing disciplined, repeatable development practices across design, validation, scale-up and transfer to manufacturing, with a relentless focus on right-first-time, on-time and on-budget delivery.

Leading through enterprise collaboration: Partnering deeply with Medical, Clinical, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial and external partners to align priorities and unlock bigger outcomes.

Creating science-led differentiation: Ensuring product and technology decisions are grounded in rigorous science, clinical relevance, customer insight and evidence-based value.

Grow a high-performing organisation: Inspire, coach and develop a global R&D and Applied Research organisation of approximately 55–85 employees, building capability, confidence and shared accountability.

Steward resources with impact: Own portfolio, budget and resource allocation decisions, using strong financial and operational judgement to focus investment where it matters most.

What we are looking for in the successful candidate :

You will thrive here if you live and breathe purpose-led, performance-driven leadership. That means you inspire others by connecting who we are with what we do; build shared ownership by thinking and acting as one Convatec; value different voices and foster inclusion; grow people through meaningful conversations and generous knowledge-sharing; and act with humility by staying curious and open to learning. You will also bring the courage to be bold, challenge the status quo and take smart risks; the ambition to pursue meaningful impact; the accountability to set direction and deliver; the ability to balance rigour and pace; and the decisiveness to seek input, listen well and make clear decisions.

We are also looking for someone who can also bring :

Significant executive-level experience leading complex medical device R&D portfolios from concept through launch, lifecycle management, scale-up and design for manufacture.

Proven ability to build, transform and lead high-performing R&D, research, innovation or advanced technology organisations.

Track record translating scientific discovery and technical insight into commercially viable product platforms and differentiated customer value.

Deep understanding of design controls, development governance, risk management, validation and quality expectations within regulated medical device environments.

Strong scientific and engineering judgement, with the ability to balance rigor, pace, patient needs, manufacturability and commercial realities.

Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders, integrating cross-functional perspectives and aligning complex organisations behind shared priorities.

Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget ownership, investment prioritisation and resource allocation.

Clear, concise and compelling communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex challenges and mobilise teams around decisions.

Masters or Ph.D. in Engineering, Science or a related discipline preferred; Bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant experience will also be considered.

Why Convatec

Convatec is transforming with real momentum, driven by a fierce determination to improve the lives of millions more people around the world. This role offers the chance to lead innovation in a category that matters deeply to patients and to shape the scientific foundations of future product platforms across a global medical technology company.

If you are an R&D leader who is restless for impact, energised by enterprise collaboration, and motivated by the opportunity to help people with chronic conditions live with greater confidence and freedom, we would love to hear from you.

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent Convatec

A formal recruitment process is required for all our opportunities prior to any offer of employment. This will include an interview confirmed by an official Convatec email address.

If you receive a suspicious approach over social media, text message, email or phone call about recruitment at Convatec, do not disclose any personal information or pay any fees whatsoever. If you’re unsure, please contact us at careers@Convatec.com.

Equal opportunities

Convatec provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Convatec is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Convatec employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Convatec. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

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