Senior Program Manager, R&D

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world.

The Role: CoMind’s R&D organisation spans experimental and translational optics, data science, machine learning, and clinical research, operating at the intersection of deep technology, applied science, and medical device innovation. The Senior Programme Manager, R&D at CoMind will play a critical role in ensuring the effectiveness, coherence, and operational excellence of CoMind’s research and development organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Scientific Officer, this role will act as a senior operational partner and proxy to the CSO, working closely with R&D managers and senior stakeholders across the company. This is a senior, hands-on role focused on portfolio-level programme leadership rather than just individual project delivery. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating scientific strategy into well-structured research programmes, ensuring clarity of objectives, timelines, deliverables, and decision-making, while preserving the exploratory nature required for high-quality research. CoMind is entering a phase of rapid scientific and clinical scale-up. This role is central to ensuring that our R&D organisation operates with clarity, discipline, and high standards, without sacrificing scientific creativity or rigor. Please note that this role requires 5 days per week in the office.

Responsibilities:

• Owning the planning, coordination, and execution oversight of CoMind’s R&D programme portfolio across optics, data science / machine learning, and supporting clinical research
• Working closely with the Chief Scientific Officer to translate scientific strategy and priorities into coherent, executable research programmes with clear milestones, dependencies, and success criteria
• Acting as a senior operational partner and proxy to the CSO, representing R&D in internal forums and supporting preparation for executive-level and external-facing meetings
• Supporting and enabling R&D managers by providing structure, tools, and processes to improve planning, prioritisation, and execution across teams
• Establishing and maintaining effective research-appropriate programme management practices, including planning cadences, review forums, and decision-making frameworks
• Defining, implementing, and maintaining high standards for R&D outputs, including reports, internal documentation, research summaries, and executive-level communications
• Designing and maintaining lightweight but effective processes for knowledge management and onboarding, including approaches to literature review, internal knowledge sharing, and institutional memory
• Working collaboratively across research, engineering, clinical, and product teams to ensure effective handover, alignment, and shared understanding
• Continuously identifying opportunities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and maturity of CoMind’s R&D operating model
• Instilling and representing CoMind’s values of Velocity, Simplicity, Ownership, Curiosity, and Customer Obsession across the R&D organisation.

Skills & Experience:

• Extensive experience leading complex, multidisciplinary research or deep-tech programmes in environments characterised by scientific innovation
• Demonstrated experience operating at portfolio or programme level rather than solely at individual project level
• Experience working closely with senior scientific or technical leadership, acting as a trusted operational partner
• Strong background in research-driven environments such as medical devices, deep-tech, life-sciences, neuroscience, and/or advanced engineering
• Proven ability to design and implement effective operating processes tailored to research organisations, rather than applying generic delivery frameworks
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong emphasis on clarity, structure, and quality of scientific and technical writing
• Ability to engage credibly with senior scientists, engineers, and clinicians, and to challenge constructively when required
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with a track record of improving execution without creating unnecessary bureaucracy
• Experience working within or alongside regulated environments (e.g. medical devices, clinical research) is highly desirable

Benefits:

• Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company
• Salary-sacrifice pension scheme
• Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded)
• Group life assurance at 4x annual income
• Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals
• Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter
• Free lunch every day via JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later
• Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and a comprehensive selection of snacks and drinks
• YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores
• Access to Udemy for upskilling and professional development