Sr. Director, IT - R&D Technology

This is where your work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. 

Your role at Baxter

We are seeking a skilled Sr. Director of IT, R&D to join our dynamic team.  The Sr. Director of IT, R&D is accountable for the strategy, delivery, and evolution of IT capabilities that enable Baxter’s global R&D organization, spanning Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), R&D applications, software‑enabled products, and capital equipment development.

This role plays a crucial role in defining and delivering the technological vision of an organization. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, business savvy, and visionary leadership to drive organizational success through technology.

What you'll be doing

• Enterprise-Wide R&D IT Strategy: Lead the development and execution of the Baxter-wide R&D IT strategy, including digital transformation initiatives that align with the organization's vision.

• Comprehensive IT Oversight: Oversee all aspects of the R&D IT space, including operations, innovation, and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.

• Collaboration with Executive Leaders: Collaborate with R&D Business leaders to align IT capabilities with business goals driving competitive advantage and long-term success.

• Operational Excellence: Define and implement IT operational excellence strategies, spearhead transformative initiatives to drive innovation and efficiency, and leverage advanced analytics and emerging technologies to simplify and optimize IT operations across R&D.

• Innovation and Emerging Technologies: Drive innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance business capabilities, improve efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge, specifically in the spaces of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and MedTech Product Design capabilities.

• Pipeline and Leadership Development: Spearhead comprehensive pipeline management initiatives and foster the growth of emerging leaders to drive organizational expansion and ensure effective succession planning.

• Performance Management: Champion the strategic use of our Baxter performance management system across all of R&D, driving innovation in performance evaluation methodologies, aligning performance metrics with long-term organizational goals, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in IT leadership.

• Vendor and Partner Relationships: Manage relationships with key technology partners, vendors, and industry leaders to ensure effective collaboration and strategic alignment.

• Risk Management: Lead strategic risk management initiatives at the highest level, collaborating with executive leadership to integrate IT risk management with overall enterprise risk strategies and drive organizational resilience.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, which align with our organization's vision, mission, and values and fall within your scope of practice.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline required

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, PhD) preferred

• 15+ years of relevant and progressive experience in MedTech R&D.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams. Can influence and inspire change throughout the organization.

• Demonstrated ownership of PLM platforms and complex R&D application ecosystems

Key Skills & Competencies

• Comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management: Develop and implement strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate organizational technology-related risk.

• Effective Partner Management and Reporting: Prepare and deliver impactful presentations to executive leaders, clearly communicating IT performance, risks, and central initiatives.

• Influential Thought Leadership: Provide strategic direction and inspiration to the entire IT organization, aligning technology initiatives with busi