{"id":3089340,"url":"https://alion.io/job/discovery-research-and-development-manager","title":"Research and Development Manager","company":{"id":1811548,"name":"Discovery","domain":"discovery.co.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/discovery-co-za","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"SuccessFactors","truth_index":null},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Sandton, South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":23000,"max_usd":50000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":22},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":null,"last_verified_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":12,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":12},"description":"Discovery – Health| R&D Lab \n\nResearch and Development Manager\n\nAbout Discovery \n\nDiscovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.\n\nAbout the Discovery Health R&D Lab\n\nThe Health R&D Lab is responsible for driving the innovation and product development agenda for Discovery Health. Made of Actuaries, ex-Management Consults, and other professionals with a strong bias for creative problem solving, the team works closely with the CEO and executive team of Discovery Health to facilitate innovation that supports the business strategy. Our work is cross functional in nature, requiring coordination of project specific teams to drive items to completion, with product ownership transferring to the relevant business unit once execution is complete.\n\nAbout the Position\n\nWe are looking for a Senior R&D Manager to conceptualise and drive existing and new R&D projects in support of the Discovery Health growth strategy. Bringing exciting new products and enhancements to the market is a key pillar of our growth strategy and the successful candidate will play a leading role in this. \n\nKey outputs\n\nThe successful applicant will be responsible for but not limited to the following job functions: \n\nThe candidate will be required to:\n\nDrive exploratory research and analyses to develop strategic insights and identify core R&D questions, ideas, and solutions to inform the innovation agenda.\n\nDevelop the product strategy and R&D priorities in line with the overall Discovery Group and Discovery Health strategy.\n\nLead complex R&D projects which have an impact across multiple Discovery businesses, actively driving close collaboration within the team and with relevant business units to ensure buy-in and smooth handover post execution.\n\nPresent regular updates to obtain executive input on key decisions. Relevant forums include but are not limited to the R&D Steercom, Health Exco, Health Product Committee, and the DHMS Board of Trustees.\n\nDrive project execution working closely with Project Managers, Systems teams, and other teams affected by a particular R&D project.\n\nTake accountability and signoff on product launches.\n\nContinuously refine the R&D Process solving for maximum business impact, broad input, cross-functional coordination, and timely implementation.\n\nBuild, manage, and train a small team to support the above\n\nPersonal Attributes and Skills\n\nThe successful candidate would need to have the following competencies:\n\nSelf-starter with a bias for action and a strong drive for excellence\n\nStrategic thinker\n\nManagement and leadership skills\n\nExceptional problem solving skills\n\nStrong communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation)\n\nNetworking and cross-functional coordination skills\n\nEducation and Experience\n\nThe following requirements are Essential: \n\n5-10 years’ work experience in financial services, preferably in a product development, problem-solving, or analytical role, eg. Management Consulting / Actuarial / Data Science.\n\nHonours or Master’s degree in an analytical field, eg Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Actuarial Science. \n\nThe following would be advantageous:\n\nLeadership experience.\n\nHealthcare experience.\n\nEMPLOYMENT EQUITY \n\nThe Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. 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