R&D Director

Job content

JOB DESCRIPTION
Sepura is looking for a commercially focused and results driven R&D Director. This is an executive level appointment, reporting to the CEO and as a key member of the Sepura Management Team (SMT). The R&D Director will be instrumental in delivering and maintaining customer products
Working in partnership with the Chief Technology Officer, the R&D Director will be tasked with delivering critical performance improvement in both core engineering competences and on-time project execution within an architectural and technology framework targeted at maximising the delivery of value and growth from our industry leading portfolio of investments
The primary responsibilities of the R&D Director are as follows:

• flawless on-time delivery of Sepura products (both hardware and software) to the needs of the business whilst ensuring that all projects meet their stated objectives without compromising other critical deliverables of the longer-term strategy of the business
• development, capability and personal growth of employees and the R&D organisation as a whole to meet current and future business needs
• driving functional excellence through all core development functions whilst optimising efficiency and productivity to deliver industry leading performance
• ownership of the status of development projects including project planning, resource planning and monitoring of the financial performance of the overall department
• development of processes and tools to ensure that the value of the R&D department to the business as a key differentiator continues to grow
• provide management input to the SMT participating in major cross business decision and strategic direction setting activities
• develop a Technology Roadmap and function that supports the Product Roadmap
• recommend and implement where applicable an outsource strategy for non-core R&D components which may otherwise be constrained by internal capacity and capability

The R&D Director will be responsible for the following functions:

• Design Authority
• Programme/Project Management
• Software (including Applications and Test)
• Hardware Design (Electrical, RF and Mechanical)
• Engineering Support Services
• NPI (New Product Introduction)

The R&D Director will have overall control of approximately 140 full-time employees and contractors and responsibility for a substantial 8 figure budget.
Critical interfaces:

• CTO, Advanced Technology Group (ATG), Product Strategy and Marketing
• Customer Support, Quality and Procurement
• SMT and Finance

Key challenges:

• Consistent on-time delivery of Products, Technology and Functionality whilst maintaining a high degree of responsiveness to customer requirements
• Increase development efficiency and productivity
• Develop and manage critical IPR
• Strategic and commercial mindset, communicating that vision into tangible plans to grow Sepura’s capabilities and competitiveness
• Achieving efficiency improvements, cost reductions and at the same time increased levels of customer satisfaction, through quality control
• Motivating and developing employees
• Enhancing agility, maintaining a strong focus on strategic technology and product roadmaps while managing minor requirements changes

This role will require the ability to obtain UK Security Clearance

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications

• Preferably holds a recognised professional qualification and educated to degree level in engineering discipline

Experience

• Proven track record of accomplishment in senior Product Development and Technology roles, preferably in the electronics, telecommunications and/or IT industries
• Proven people management experience and capable of empowering others and nurturing their development
• Experience in the full cradle to grave product lifecycle including integration of hardware and software elements
• Experience of working in a commercially aware environment understanding and applying financial acumen and business cases to drive priorities including knowledge of P&Ls and other financial metrics
• Innovation and change management - a proven track record of innovation in process and technical solutions. Finding creative technical solutions to fast track development, minimising time to market while maintaining and improving quality
• Flair for innovative design and a process orientated approach to change management
• Experience of outsourcing where necessary non-core R&D functions and managing remote teams
• Exposure to complex Government type technology contracts managed under demanding contractual terms and timescales

Skills

• Customer focused, with a strong commercial and financial perspective
• Outstanding leadership skills
• Decision maker, not afraid of accountability or taking difficult decisions, able to drive plans and resolve issues with a sense of urgency
• Excellent skills, diplomacy, discretion and communication

Attitude

• A drive to succeed personally, and to motivate others to succeed
• Innovation - inquisitive nature prepared to challenge conventional wisdom in a constructive manner and encourage new approaches and methodologies
• Quality - customer focused and motivated to deliver right first time and embed this across all levels within R&D, driving continuous improvement

Job Type: Full-time