Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead R&D and new product development, driving innovation and project management.
- Company: Values-led organisation focused on growth and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70,000 and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of innovative products.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in R&D leadership and strong project management skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on creativity and emerging technologies.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a Head of Research & Development to take ownership of all R&D and New Product Development activity for a growing, values-led organisation. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role suited to someone who excels in project and programme management, innovation governance, and end-to-end delivery. While this role sits at Head of Department level, it is not a large people-management position, instead, it focuses on leading R&D activity through coordination, influence, and cross-functional collaboration.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will define and deliver the R&D and innovation strategy, manage the full R&D budget, and ensure that new products are taken from concept through to successful market launch in a structured, commercially focused way.
THE ROLE
- Own and manage the full R&D and NPD budget, ensuring effective resource allocation
- Define, implement, and evolve the R&D and innovation strategy aligned to business goals
- Develop and maintain multi-year product and technology roadmaps
- Establish clear governance, controls, and reporting frameworks for R&D activity
- Track and record R&D hours to a high standard to support tax reclaims
- Oversee intellectual property protection, ensuring NDAs are in place and liaising with legal advisors
- Lead the full product lifecycle from ideation and feasibility through design, validation, launch, and review
- Ensure all developments meet regulatory, safety, quality, and performance standards
- Coordinate closely with engineering, operations, commercial, and supply chain teams to ensure delivery
- Own the R&D portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to specification
- Track progress against KPIs and continuously improve development processes
- Identify, manage, and mitigate technical, commercial, and delivery risks
Stakeholder & External Engagement
- Build strong relationships with senior internal stakeholders and external partners
- Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards, regulations, and certifications
- Champion structured innovation, creativity, and emerging technologies
- Drive improvements in sustainability, product performance, and manufacturability
- Embed best-practice R&D and project management approaches across the organisation
THE PERSON
- Proven experience in a Head of Research & Development, Research & Development Lead, Research & Development Manager or similar role leading R&D, innovation, engineering, or technical programmes in a manufacturing or technical environment
- Strong project and programme management capability, with experience owning multiple workstreams
- Background in new product development and commercialisation
- Experience managing budgets and working at a strategic level
- Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable operating in a hands-on, delivery-focused Head of Department role
- Highly organised, resilient, and able to execute against deadlines
Locations
Head of Research & Development in Cheshire, Crewe employer: GET RECRUITED (UK) LTD
Contact Detail:
GET RECRUITED (UK) LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research & Development in Cheshire, Crewe
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Research & Development role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face in R&D. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Talk about how you've successfully led R&D projects in the past, managed budgets, and collaborated with cross-functional teams. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact and approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research & Development in Cheshire, Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Research & Development role. Highlight your experience in R&D, project management, and innovation governance. We want to see how your background aligns with our values-led organisation!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in leading R&D projects and how you’ve driven successful product launches.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Even though this role isn’t heavily people-focused, we still want to know about your leadership style. Describe how you coordinate and influence teams across functions to achieve R&D goals. We love collaboration!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at GET RECRUITED (UK) LTD
✨Know Your R&D Strategy Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the company's current R&D strategy and how it aligns with their business goals. Be prepared to discuss how your experience can enhance their innovation efforts and what fresh ideas you could bring to the table.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Since this role requires strong project and programme management capabilities, come armed with specific examples of projects you've led. Highlight your approach to managing budgets, timelines, and cross-functional teams to demonstrate your hands-on leadership style.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior leaders and partners in previous roles, showcasing your communication and collaboration skills.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Risk Management
Given the importance of identifying and mitigating risks in R&D, be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. Share specific instances where you've navigated technical or commercial challenges, and explain how you ensured projects stayed on track despite potential setbacks.
