Sr. Manager, R&D Planning & Operations

Baxter International Inc.; Skaneateles Falls (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Baxter International Inc. is seeking a Sr. Manager, R&D Planning & Operations who will partner with the Head of R&D to drive operational performance, portfolio governance, and financial planning across the R&D organization.

This role ensures strategic priorities are translated into actionable operating plans and resource allocation strategies. You will translate priorities into plans, develop executive analyses, and lead cross‑functional collaboration with Finance, Quality,

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex business operations, portfolio management, PMO, or transformation initiatives.
• Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to connect investments, resources, risks, and business outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive execution across matrixed organizations.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Management, or related field; MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of key R&D priorities, portfolio initiatives, and organizational objectives.
• Support portfolio governance, investment reviews, and prioritization decisions to optimize resources and business results.
• Develop executive-level analyses, dashboards, and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify risks and resource gaps, and drive corrective actions.
• Partner with Finance and R&D leaders to manage budgets, headcount planning, forecasting, and investment allocation.
• Analyze financial, operational, and portfolio data to support resource and investment decisions.
• Develop business cases and scenario analyses to support strategic planning and prioritization.
• Drive financial discipline and transparency across the R&D organization.
• Establish and improve operating processes, governance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms.
• Lead initiatives focused on improving productivity, resource utilization, decision quality, and delivery performance.
• Implement scalable tools and management routines that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Support organizational change initiatives and adoption of new operating models.
• Manage the R&D leadership team's operating cadence, including business reviews, governance meetings, action tracking, and executive communications.
• Partner across Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, HR, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment on priorities and execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making, issue resolution, and accountability for key deliverables.
• Prepare leadership communications, presentations, and business updates for senior executives.

Skills

Leadership

Finance

Strategy

PMO

Operations

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Engineering/Management

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

This is whereyour work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride.

Your Role at Baxter

The Sr. Manager, R&D Planning & Operationsis a key business partner to the Head of R&D, responsible for driving operational performance, portfolio governance, financial planning, and execution across the R&D organization. This role ensures strategic priorities are translated into actionable operating plans, investment decisions, resource allocation strategies, and measurable business outcomes.

Serving as the central point of coordination between R&D, Finance, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial teams, this leader drives accountability, improves decision-making, and enables efficient portfolio execution in a complex, matrixed environment.


What You\'ll Be Doing

Portfolio & Business Operations

• Lead planning and execution of key R&D priorities, portfolio initiatives, and organizational objectives.
• Support portfolio governance, investment reviews, and prioritization decisions to optimize resources and business results.
• Develop executive-level analyses, dashboards, and recommendations to support leadership decision-making.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify risks and resource gaps, and drive corrective actions.

Financial Planning & Resource Management

• Partner with Finance and R&D leaders to manage budgets, headcount planning, forecasting, and investment allocation.
• Analyze financial, operational, and portfolio data to support resource and investment decisions.
• Develop business cases and scenario analyses to support strategic planning and prioritization.
• Drive financial discipline and transparency across the R&D organization.

Operational Excellence

• Establish and improve operating processes, governance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms.
• Lead initiatives focused on improving productivity, resource utilization, decision quality, and delivery performance.
• Implement scalable tools and management routines that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Support organizational change initiatives and adoption of new operating models.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Support

• Manage the R&D leadership team\'s operating cadence, including business reviews, governance meetings, action tracking, and executive communications.
• Partner across Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, HR, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment on priorities and execution.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making, issue resolution, and accountability for key deliverables.
• Prepare leadership communications, presentations, and business updates for senior executives.

What You\'ll Bring

• Experience leading complex business operations, portfolio management, finance, PMO, strategy, or transformation initiatives.
• Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to connect investments, resources, risks, and business outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive execution across matrixed organizations.
• Strong analytical skills with experience synthesizing operational and financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Experience establishing governance processes, performance metrics, and operating rhythms.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor\'s degree in Finance, Business, Engineering, Management, or related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Finance, Strategy, PMO, Operations, Business Operations, Portfolio Management, Product Development, or related functions.
• 15+ years of experience may be considered for an Associate Director level role.