Director, Program Management, Advanced Innovation - Irvine

Innovation starts from the heart. Our Advanced Technology (AT) teams harness the imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what's currently possible, and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you're an early-stage innovator, then Edwards AT ...

Job description

Innovation starts from the heart. Our Advanced Technology (AT) teams harness the imagination, courage, and resourcefulness to think beyond what's currently possible, and create solutions for patients many years into the future. If you're an early-stage innovator, then Edwards AT team is the place for you to take the next steps in your career. We'll give you the tools and resources you need to create groundbreaking innovations that shape the future of structural heart technology.

At Edwards Lifesciences, the AI&T Project Management Office (PMO) plays a critical role in enabling innovation, disciplined execution, and predictable delivery of products that improve patient lives. As Director, Advanced Innovation & Technologies (AI&T) PMO & Product Portfolio Management, you will lead the AI&T PMO, owning the product portfolio and program execution from early incubation and innovation through R&D development. This role is central to bringing cross‑functional teams together, establishing execution rigor, and developing a high‑performing organization of project and program managers.

Work Schedule: Given the collaborative and complex nature of this work, this role is in person full time in Irvine, CA.

How you'll make an impact:

•Lead the AI&T PMO, providing strategic and operational direction for portfolio, program, and project execution

•Own and manage the AI&T product portfolio, ensuring alignment between strategy, priorities, capacity, and delivery outcomes

•Provide end‑to‑end accountability for program execution across incubation, early innovation, and R&D development

•Serve as the primary cross‑functional integrator, partnering with R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, IT, and other stakeholders to drive successful program outcomes

•Establish and sustain portfolio and program governance, including stage‑gate reviews, operating rhythms, escalation paths, and decision forums

•Translate strategic objectives into portfolio roadmaps, integrated program plans, and execution milestones

•Identify, manage, and resolve cross‑program risks, dependencies, and trade‑offs to protect delivery commitments

•Lead, coach, and develop AI&T project and program managers, setting clear expectations for rigor, accountability, and performance

•Build PMO capability and capacity, including talent development, performance management, and succession planning

•Partner with AI&T leadership to support portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, and execution trade‑offs

•Continuously evolve PMO practices, tools, and standards to improve speed, predictability, and quality of delivery

• Plan and direct complex activities with large scale or significant business impact with the accountability for successful completion of all deliverables . Lead in identifying risk, developing mitigation strategies, alternative solutions, resolving issues in collaboration with cross functional and/or matrix teams

• Manage and oversee the work of a team of project management professionals and/or SMEs including contributing to budget management. Develop a robust talent development plan in alignment with functional growth strategies of the department.

• Establish, maintain, and influence program stakeholder relationships and strategic partnerships, on expectations, and communications, both internal and external to the organization

• Ensure high quality execution of all projects in portfolio and accuracy of project updates/status

• Identify risk, develop and lead in the implementation of broad and more complex program management strategies which may include negotiations with internal and external parties

• Develop and provide training for project leads (e.g., Engineers, Functional professionals) to expand project management capabilities

• Serve as member of each operating units/functions leadership team and integrators with BU/Functions

• Incidental duties
 

What you'll need (Required):

• Bachelor's Degree in in related field related experience in project/program and skill levels exceeding the requirements of the Manager or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Required

• Hands on experience managing large to midsize projects and/or programs of increasing complexity or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Required

• Demonstrated track record in people management

• Experience working in a regulated industry

•Demonstrated success leading complex, cross‑functional programs from early innovation through development

•Proven experience managing and developing project and program management teams

•Strong ability to influence and align senior functional leaders in a matrixed organization

•Deep expertise in portfolio and program governance, planning, and execution

•Excellent executive‑level communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills

•Proficiency with portfolio, program, and project management tools and systems (e.g. JIRA, Confluence)

•Ability to operate effectively in a complex, regulated, and fast‑paced environment

What else we look for (Preferred):

• Master's Degree or equivalent in in related field or equivalent work experience based on Edwards criteria Preferred

• Proven successful project management leadership skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related tools and systems

• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills including high discretion/judgment in decision making

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills with ability to drive achievement of objectives

• Expert understanding of project/program management procedures while identifying applications of functional knowledge and existing methodologies to complex problems

• Expert understanding of related aspects of project/program processes and/or systems

• Expert knowledge of financial mechanism that relates to project/program

• Demonstrated ability to manage one or more teams and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions including hire/fire authority and partnering with HR on all aspects of employee relations

• Ability to develop and integrate metrics into the projects and operations that clearly demonstrate the value of project/program to the business

• Ability to frequently interacts with internal and external management and senior-level stakeholders concerning projects, operational decisions, scheduling requirements, and/or contractual clarifications

• Strict attention to detail

• Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels

• Ability to work and excel within a fast paced, dynamic, and constantly changing work environment

• Lead briefings and technical meetings for internal and external representatives

• Require the ability to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance from others in sensitive situations, without damage to the relationship

• Dedicated to quality client service and pro-active and responsive to client needs.

• Develop peer, cross functional and cross business relationships to maximize best practice sharing and team effectiveness.

• Ability to provide leadership and direction to cross-functional teams to successfully implement global enterprise systems and related solutions

• Develop relationships and leverage them to influence change

• Support and solicit input from team members at all levels

• Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control
 

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.

For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $159,000 to $226,000 (highly experienced).

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience).  Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.  

Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

COVID Vaccination Requirement

Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.