Head of Project Management (f/m/x)

Your Talent, our Vision – together we see beyond. Your start at ZEISS Vision Care. As a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, we help people around the world achieve a clearer vision – sustainable and with focus on the future. 

Our products are as diverse as the career paths we offer, from tailored lenses to award-winning measurement systems. Become part of our team and shape a future in which clear vision and professional success go hand in hand.

Your role

• Define and implement the R&D project management strategy, standards, and methodologies (e.g. stage-gatestage-gate, agile/hybridagile/hybrid) in alignment with business and R&D strategy, including a robust governance framework with clear decision bodies, review cycles, and escalation paths.

• Steer and support the R&D project portfolio, ensuring prioritization based on strategic fit, value, risk, and resource availability, and provide transparent reporting on status, risks, and opportunities to R&D and executive leadership.

• Lead portfolio and capacity planning across innovation, lifecycle, and technology platform projects, ensuring critical initiatives are appropriately staffed and resourced while optimizing timelines, budgets, and resource usage.

• Ensure rigorous planning and execution for all R&D projects (scope, deliverables, milestones, budgets, risk and change management), monitor key performance indicators, and proactively address deviations and escalations.

• Promote best practices in risk management, requirements management, verification/validation planning, and design transfer to manufacturing to secure robust and compliant project delivery.

• Lead, develop, and coach Project and Program Managers, define roles and career paths, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement in line with High Performance Team principles.

• Design and implement training, tools, templates, and standardized documentation/reporting to strengthen project management competencies and enable effective cross-functional communication with internal and external stakeholders.

• Drive continuous improvement and harmonization of project management processes, tools, and KPIsKPIs, promote data-driven decision-making and digital solutions, and ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations (e.g. ISO 13485ISO 13485, FDAFDA, MDRMDR).

Your profile

• University degree in the field of natural sciences or engineering

• Several years of experience in R&D project/program management in a technology-driven environment (e.g., medical devices, optics, semiconductors, or similar)

• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional development projects from concept to market launch

• Experience in building and/or leading a project management office (PMO) or equivalent function

• Solid understanding of product development lifecycles, from research and concept through design, industrialization, and market introduction

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools (e.g., PMI, PRINCE2, agile). Relevant certification (e.g., PMP) is an advantage

• Experience working in regulated environments and familiarity with quality and regulatory requirements

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:

Hannah Beutler