Director, Arrays R&D

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced R&D Leader to join the Arrays Business Unit. In this critical role, you will be responsible for providing strategic insights, direction, and leadership of the R&D portion of the Arrays business. You will be a member of the Arrays Leadership Team, reporting directly to the General Manager of the Arrays BU and working closely and collaborative with leaders and teams supporting the Arrays business.

Responsibilities:

Strategy, Planning, and Execution:

• Work closely with the other members of the Arrays LT to develop and support a vision for the Arrays business, balancing short term gains with long term strategic value.
• Collaborate with R&D, Global Operations, and Commercial leadership to ensure tactical and strategic goals of the Arrays BU are understood and supported.
• Lead the formation and execution of a Future of Arrays forum where innovation options specific to Arrays are presented in a well thought out and professional manner, following the guidelines established for the Future of Sequencing series.
• Define and implement the operational strategy for the Arrays R&D function aligned with the BU’s and company's overall objectives.
• Develop and communicate clear goals and performance metrics to measure and track the effectiveness of Arrays operations.
• Analyze current Arrays R&D processes and identify areas for improvement to optimize time-to-market, robustness, efficiency, and resource allocation.
• Scrutinize R&D resource estimates, timelines, and scope associated with Arrays projects
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and promote innovation within the Arrays R&D group.

Budgeting and Resource Management:

• Work closely with Finance to manage within the Arrays R&D budget, ensuring proper allocation and utilization of resources.
• Monitor and control Arrays R&D project expenses, identifying cost-saving opportunities and providing recommendations for budget optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast resource needs including personnel, equipment, and external vendors or partners, to support project demands.
• Implement resource planning strategies to ensure optimal utilization of available resources while maintaining flexibility for changing project priorities.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:

• Foster strong relationships and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Finance, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional meetings, project reviews, and operational planning discussions to drive alignment and decision-making.

Talent Development and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of R&D professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Identify skill gaps and training needs within the team and develop appropriate learning and development programs to enhance capabilities.
• Conduct performance evaluations, set goals, provide feedback, and recognize achievements to drive employee engagement and professional growth.

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 18 years of related experience, with 10+ years of Management experience.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in an engineering or science discipline.  PhD is a plus.

• Extensive experience with microarray technology

• Exceptional critical thinking ability
• Advanced skills and experience in Program and Project Management
• Proven experience in a leadership role overseeing various R&D teams.
• Strong understanding of R&D processes, project management methodologies, and sustaining activities.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, resource management, and financial analysis.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate