M3M3 — Senior Manager
Senior R&D Manager
Oversees multiple teams or a significant program; may manage other managers.
What this level means
Leads multiple teams or a sub-function; sets goals and owns cross-team execution.
- Scope
- Multiple teams or a sub-function
- Autonomy
- Sets goals within functional strategy
- Complexity
- Multi-team execution and resourcing trade-offs
- Impact
- Sub-function outcomes
- Decision rights
- Owns goals, budget input, and people decisions across teams
- Leadership
- Manages managers and/or several teams
- Typical experience
- 8–12 yrs
What you'd do
- Oversee multiple teams or a major R&D program.
- Translate higher-level product development strategies into detailed project plans.
- Supervise and mentor subordinate R&D managers or team leads.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage departmental or program budgets.
- Oversee R&D programs
- Translate strategies
- Mentor managers
Skills, knowledge & tools
- Program oversight
- Strategy translation
- Mentorship
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Budget management
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Program management
- Strategic planning
- Mentorship
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
- Innovation strategies
- Client relationship management
- Technical and Domain Expertise
- Leadership & Team Development
- Strategic Thinking
- Communication & Influence
- Problem Solving & Decision-Making
- Project & Program Management
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Regulatory & Quality Mindset
- Client Focus and Relationship Management
What good looks like
- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant field preferred.
- Typically 10+ years of progressive R&D experience, with several years of management experience.
Common titles
Senior Manager, Client Project ManagementClient Project Management Senior ManagerSenior Manager, Client Project ManagerClient Project Manager Senior ManagerSenior Manager, Internal Innovation InitiativesInternal Innovation Initiatives Senior ManagerSenior R&D Manager
What it pays
Market-pay benchmarks for this family × level are being recalibrated across all survey sources and will return shortly.
O*NET / SOC: 19-0000 — Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (inferred)