Director

Are you ready to see your future like never before? If so, Alcon is the place for you! A career at Alcon is like no other. We are innovative. We are impactful. We are the largest eye care medical device company helping restore sight and allowing millions of people worldwide to see brilliantly. We have a long history of industry firsts and a diverse hardworking team that keeps us on the cutting edge.

We are currently hiring a Director to join our Processs and Development team in Fort Worth, TX. This person will be responsible for the research and development of all Chemistry and Materials related activities in IOD product development, providing chemistry leadership for IOD R&D projects and existing products.

Job Title: Director

Location: Fort Worth, TX

The Director of the Implantable materials, Surface and Bioengineering team supervises a diverse team of engineers, polymer chemists and material scientists. Key responsibilities include developing Intraocular Lenses (IOL) materials, IOL surface treatments, IOL delivery cartridges and coatings, Ophthalmic Viscosurgical devices and Retinal Tamponade devices for breakthrough and next generation IOD products, product life-cycle management support, and pipeline products development. The Director of the Implantable materials, Surface and Bioengineering team will ensure consistent strong and timely achievement of committed program deliverables to deliver effective and innovative scientific and engineering solutions in the area of new intraocular device biomaterials. The Director of the Implantable materials, Surface and Bioengineering team cooperates closely with the Sr. Director, R&D Chemistry & Materials Development to align resources and technical strategy to program aims and is also accountable for all aspects of associate development, including setting objectives, managing performance, and supporting career development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads Implantable materials, Surface and Bioengineering group responsible for discovery and proof of concept for new materials and formulations, as well as for leading elements of formulation and process development for production of prototypes, engineering batches, exploratory stability batches. Develops new product to support R&D effort in new Implantable devices arena in close collaboration with all the functional teams. Convert technology into product. Contributes to definition and implementation of the global department strategy
• Builds and maintains strong internal competence in materials and processes, including recruitment of new talent in needed skill set areas, as well as establishment of collaborative relationships with expert organizations.
• Develops Implantable materials, Surface and Bioengineering team's functional strategies to support attainment of research program milestones and to work with cross-functional team to drive the project to product launch with emphasis on research, raw materials, formulation prototypes, process scale-up, product analysis, process/product validation, and manufacturing support in collaboration with CMC lead.
• Sets objectives for associates and manages allocation of resources across approved programs. Coaches and develops associates across a range of career levels.
• May serve as core team member for one or more research programs.
• Is an accomplished technical expert and strongly supports the Sr. Director, Chemistry & Materials Development in ideation and research strategy development. Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of structure and property relationship in polymers, surfaces, specifically the relationship between molecular architecture and morphology and properties.
• Supports the development of new program proposals.
• Assures that new intellectual property is disclosed through MOI's and that patent filings are fully supported.
• Serves as technical consultant on key materials and processes, within R&D and across various functions. Ensures best practice sharing, knowledge exchange, and cross-functional support within the Chemistry & Materials development team and with partner organizations in R&D and beyond (e.g. Commercial, QA, Regulatory, etc.).

Key Performance Indicators

• Recruitment, development and leading of staff, including goal and objective setting and assessment of performance
• Responsibility for establishing and leading an efficient organization providing high quality results in a timely manner
• Influences the direction of the area of responsibility with a long-term approach to planning and delivery/implementation of strategy.
• Demonstrates ability to work under consultative direction toward predetermined long-range goals. Assignments are often self-initiated.
• Effectively interacts with all segments of Company to facilitate product development and support new product launches
• Courses of action that are determined and pursued achieve minimization of life cycle costs and meet project schedule according to customer need (time, cost, functionality and quality).
• Anticipates key technology trends, opportunities and/or vulnerabilities and inform senior management
• Provide technical assistance as needed to support regulatory, manufacturing, quality, marketing and other Core Team needs.
• Compliance to all regulatory, quality and safety requirements.

Key Requirements/Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +18 yrs; Assoc.+14 yrs; M.S.+7 yrs; PhD+6 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
• 10 Years of Relevant Experience
• 6 Years of Demonstrated Leadership
• Work hours: 40
• Travel Requirements: Up to 15%
• Relocation assistance: Yes
• Sponsorship available: Yes

Preferred Qualifications/skills Experience:

• 8+ years of medical device research and development experience in an industrial environment
• Proven expertise in polymeric biomaterials and technical expertise in Class II and III medical device development
• Track record of successful developing and launching new products in medical device industry, preferably implantable materials
• Proven ability to operate and influence cross-functionally and cross-culturally.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in matrix-organization Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with successful presentation capabilities
• Ability to lead multiple complex technical efforts and to communicate (globally) effectively with a diverse team of individuals
• Result oriented; quality work provided even when operating under tight timelines

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.