Senior Program Manager, R&D

Senior Program Manager, R&D

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Crane Venture Partners

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative R&D programmes in neuromonitoring technology to improve brain disorder treatments.
  • Company: Join CoMind, a pioneering tech company transforming clinical brain monitoring.
  • Benefits: Enjoy equity options, unlimited holiday, private health insurance, and free meals.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and creativity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in leading complex research programmes and strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

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.

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

Senior Program Manager, R&D employer: Crane Venture Partners

At CoMind, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive benefits package, including unlimited holiday allowance, private medical insurance, and access to professional development resources like Udemy. Join us in our mission to revolutionise brain monitoring technology while enjoying a supportive environment that values creativity, ownership, and well-being.

Crane Venture Partners

Contact Details:

Crane Venture Partners Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Program Manager, R&D

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at CoMind. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into CoMind’s projects and values. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission to improve brain monitoring technology.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Senior Programme Manager role. Highlight your leadership skills and how you’ve successfully managed complex programmes in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the CoMind team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Program Manager, R&D

Programme Management
Research Programme Leadership
Scientific Strategy Translation
Stakeholder Engagement
Operational Excellence
Process Design and Implementation
Effective Communication

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Program Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading complex research programmes and how it aligns with CoMind's mission. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!

Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role requires exceptional written communication, ensure your application is clear and well-structured. Use concise language and focus on quality to demonstrate your ability to convey complex ideas effectively. Remember, clarity is key for us!

Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your background in research-driven environments, especially in medical devices or deep-tech. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and projects, as this will resonate with what we’re looking for.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and stands out in our system. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just like we like it!

How to prepare for a job interview at Crane Venture Partners

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of CoMind's R&D focus areas, especially in optics, data science, and machine learning. Brush up on recent advancements in these fields and be ready to discuss how they relate to the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Programme Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your experience in leading complex, multidisciplinary projects. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to manage teams, coordinate efforts, and drive projects to success while maintaining scientific integrity.

Communicate Clearly

Exceptional communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing technical concepts. Be prepared to explain how you would structure reports and documentation to ensure clarity and quality.

Emphasise Collaboration

CoMind values teamwork across various disciplines. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with scientists, engineers, or clinicians. Highlight how you fostered alignment and shared understanding among diverse teams to achieve common goals.