Senior R&D Project Manager

To strengthen our Research & Development organization, we are looking for an experienced Senior R&D Project Manager who is passionate about leading complex product development programs and bringing innovative medical device solutions from concept to market.

As a Senior R&D Project Manager, you will lead strategic and complex medical device development projects across the full product lifecycle. Working within a matrix organization, you will bring together experts from R&D, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Operations, and Commercial functions to successfully deliver innovative solutions that create value for patients, customers, and Medela.

Working in a matrix organization, the Senior R&D Project Manager drives project outcomes through influence, collaboration, and accountability, bringing together diverse functions to achieve common objectives while maintaining transparency and focus on business value.

We are seeking a Senior R&D Project Manager

Your responsibilities

• Lead complex cross-functional medical device development projects from initiation through commercialization.

• Translate business, customer, and user needs into clear project objectives, deliverables, and execution plans.

• Develop and maintain integrated project plans covering scope, timelines, resources, dependencies, risks, and key milestones.

• Create alignment and shared accountability across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

• Drive execution by proactively addressing obstacles, managing risks, and facilitating timely decision-making.

• Lead project governance activities, reviews, and communication with senior leadership.

• Ensure transparency regarding project progress, risks, opportunities, and resource needs.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of project management excellence, ways of working, and innovation processes within R&D

What you bring along

• University degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.

• Significant experience leading complex cross functional projects within a product development environment.

• Experience within the medical technology, healthcare, or regulated product development environment is required.

• Strong understanding of project planning, execution, risk management, governance, and stakeholder management.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence stakeholders in a matrix organization.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic execution.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for a driven and proactive individual who naturally creates momentum. The successful candidate takes initiative, identifies opportunities, and moves work forward rather than waiting for direction. They bring positive energy to the team and inspire confidence through action, accountability, and a solution oriented mindset.

The successful candidate:

• Demonstrates a strong sense of ownership and follows through on commitments.
• Proactively identifies challenges and opportunities, acting before being asked.
• Creates momentum and drives progress, even in situations with ambiguity or uncertainty.
• Maintains a positive, resilient, and solution oriented attitude when facing setbacks.
• Energizes and motivates others through engagement, enthusiasm, and a collaborative approach.

Why join

At Medela, you will be joining a global community of colleagues, united by the purpose that drives our business: helping people. Medela exists to advance human health and wellbeing through knowledge-based and innovative human milk and medical vacuum solutions.

Our employees are empowered to serve this purpose in a family-owned company that is growing rapidly around the world. We value intensive exchanges, diverse perspectives, and unbureaucratic decisions. You will have the opportunity to develop at an international level, and witness the direct impact your work has on our company’s success.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we are looking forward to receiving your application. Due to work permit restrictions, we can only consider applications from Swiss Nationals, UK, EU citizens as well as relevant work-permit holders for Switzerland.

For this recruitment we will not consider any applications sent through by agencies.