Director, Polymers Center of Excellence

Innovation starts from the heart. Our Advanced Innovation & Technology (AI&T) teams harness the imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what’s currently possible, and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you’re an early-stage innovator, then Edwards AI&T team is the place for you to take the next steps in your career. We’ll give you the tools and resources you need to create groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of structural heart technology.

We are looking for a strong leader with a history of break-through innovations in polymeric biomaterials used for medical devices application. The leader must be passionate about solving customer and patient unmet needs with a demonstrated focus on staff development, motivation, and coaching.

• Plan and direct project activities dedicated to solving the complex challenges of structural heart diseases with large scale or significant business impact. Maintain accountability for successful completion of all project deliverables to the businesses and develop project plans, schedule, and scope. Lead in identifying risk, developing mitigation strategies, alternative solutions, resolving issues, etc. in collaboration with cross functional groups
• Manage supervisors, managers, and/or experienced professionals and/or oversee the work of the Polymers Center of Excellence (CoE) and have some budgetary responsibilities. Develop a robust talent development plan in alignment with functional growth strategies of the department
• Lead cross-functional and/or departmental groups to develop and provide polymers, coatings, biomaterials, and/or design recommendations that integrate into complex component(s) or product(s)
• Lead efforts to optimize CoE related processes and systems by assessing business needs and developing, proposing and implementing technology solution options
• Lead by example, ~50% of time will require hands‑on work in the lab alongside various technical staff

• Bachelor's Degree in related field related experience in engineering and skill levels exceeding the requirements of the previous level
• Demonstrated track record in management of technical and/or engineering disciplines
• Expert understanding of scientific principles while identifying applications of functional knowledge and existing methodologies to complex problems within polymers, coatings, and biomaterials.
• Deep polymer science technical expertise in more than one area of coatings, polymer processing, polymer characterization and structure property relationships, surface modification, and material selection.
• Knowledge and experience of using Polymer Structure-Property Relationship for problem solving
• Experience in converting polymers and/or coatings from ideas to bench top prototypes to commercial applications

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or Biomaterials strongly preferred
• Experience working in a regulated industry
• Proven successful project management leadership skills
• Proven expertise in both Microsoft Office Suite and related systems
• Willingness to utilize, develop, and challenge AI related solutions and systems
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills including high discretion/judgment in decision making
• Excellent documentation and communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills with ability to drive achievement of objectives
• Financial acumen as it relates to building and maintaining an R&D budget
• Demonstrated ability to manage one or more teams and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions including hire/fire authority and partnering with HR on all aspects of employee relations
• Provide leadership, direction, and influence to cross-functional partners, business units, and may engage with and influence senior management
• Ability to develop and integrate metrics into the projects and operations that clearly demonstrate the value of the CoE to the business
• Ability to interact professionally with…