Head of R&D Portfolio & Project Management

About the role

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.

The Head of R&D Portfolio & Project Management Office (PMO) is accountable for execution excellence across a complex and evolving R&D portfolio. Reporting into the Senior Director of R&D Strategy & Portfolio, this role leads and advances best-in-class portfolio, program, and project management capabilities to enable disciplined delivery, predictable outcomes, and transparent execution across R&D.

This leader owns the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of scalable PMO practices, including delivery standards, governance models, and enabling tools. In close partnership with R&D Strategy & Portfolio, the role translates portfolio priorities into integrated execution plans, sequencing, and delivery insights that support effective trade-offs and decision-making. This role also builds and sustains strong PMO talent to support increasingly complex, cross-functional R&D initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• PMO Leadership & Execution Excellence
• Lead the R&D PMO to ensure execution rigor, predictable delivery, and operational discipline across a complex R&D portfolio
• Ensure initiatives are delivered on time, on budget, and to defined quality standards, with strong risk and dependency management
• Own and continuously improve PMO standards, methodologies, governance and tools, including fit-for-purpose product development and delivery frameworks
• Integrate AI into PMO processes to increase overall project delivery efficiency
• Partnership on Portfolio Governance
• Enable effective portfolio governance in partnership with R&D Strategy and Portfolio Operations & Insights, Corporate Strategy, Product Management, and business group leaders
• Operationalize portfolio priorities into executable programs, roadmaps, and capacity-informed plans
• Provide execution-based insights to inform portfolio trade-offs, sequencing, and governance decisions
• Deliver clear, consistent execution reporting, dashboards, and metrics to R&D leadership and cross-functional leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
• Serve as trusted execution partner to senior executives and cross-functional leaders, in a complex matrixed environment
• Drive cross-R&D alignment and collaboration to manage interdependencies and accelerate delivery
• Champion transparency and accountability through effective reporting and insights
• Talent & Culture Leadership
• Attract, develop, and retain top-tier PMO and R&D talent
• Coach and mentor PM talent to strengthen core competencies and career progression
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive culture focused on innovation, adaptability, and measurable outcomes

Core Competencies

• Execution excellence: deep expertise in driving delivery rigor across complex, cross-functional portfolios
• PMO leadership: proven ability to design, scale, and sustain PMO operating models, standards, and tools
• Data-driven decision making: leverage analytics and insights to inform execution and portfolio decisions
• Change leadership: effectively lead adoption of new ways of working with minimal disruption
• Global mindset: operates effectively across geographies, cultures, and matrixed organizations

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 20 years of related experience, with 12+ years of Management experience.
• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Business, or related field; MBA or PhD preferred.
• Demonstrated success building PMO capabilities, strengthening delivery performance, and developing PMO talent
• Experience running development programs that include different product types: instruments, assays, regulated products, and software
• Advanced understanding of stage-gate product development process and risk management
• Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills effective in matrixed organizations
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across all levels of the organization
• Positive change agent - experience leading effective change management practices
• PMP or similar certification preferred

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Pay and benefits

The estimated base salary range for the Head of R&D Portfolio & Project Management role based in the United States of America is: $205,100 - $307,700. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range.

Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race.

We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment.

The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.