Director, R&D Operations - Advanced Optics Technologies

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

Alcon is looking to hire a Director, R&D Operations - Advanced Optics Technologies, that will be an operations leader within Advanced Optics Technologies (AOT). This role is critical to advancing AOT’s mission to deliver innovative optical technologies for optical solutions for vision and integrated optical metrology systems.

This role is on-site in our Fort Worth, Texas location and a typical day would include:

• Lead AOT operational rhythm, including planning, resourcing, portfolio prioritization, and governance processes.
• Manage and optimize the AOT ideation and innovation pipeline aligned with business priorities.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across optical engineering, vision science, metrology, and product development teams.
• Partner with leadership to define and execute strategic initiatives and technology roadmaps.
• Support governance forums and contribute to executive-level decision-making.
• Drive process optimization and operational excellence initiatives.
• Develop and mentor managers and senior engineers.
• Build relationships with internal leadership and external stakeholders (e.g., KOLs, scientific leaders)

Experience:

• Deep expertise in optical engineering, vision science, or related field (IOL and/or CL development preferred).
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D teams and multi-site operations.
• Ability to define and execute strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Experience in portfolio management, resource allocation, and prioritization.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks (FDA, GxP) in medical devices.
• Experience engaging external stakeholders including KOLs and advisory boards.
• Strong track record of talent development and leadership coaching.
• Experience leading implementation of AI-enabled research programs (e.g., defining use cases, selecting tools/partners, change management, and scaling adoption across R&D teams).
• Ability to translate research and business objectives into roadmaps, success metrics, and governance (data quality, model risk, validation, and compliance).
• Working knowledge of machine learning/analytics workflows and data strategy (experimental data pipelines, MLOps, reproducibility, and integrating AI outputs into decision-making).

What You’ll Bring To Alcon:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ years of leadership experience, including leading managers.
• Experience managing teams of 20+ FTEs.
• MBA desirable (or equivalent business training) to strengthen strategic planning, portfolio governance, and cross-functional leadership.

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
• Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off and much more.
• Travel up to 10-20 %
• Relocation  - Yes
• Sponsorship - Yes

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ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and our policies are non-discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, 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.