PMO Leadership & Execution Excellence Lead the R&D PMO to ensure execution rigor, predictable delivery, and operational discipline across a complex R&D portfolio
Ensure initiatives are delivered on time, on budget, and to defined quality standards, with strong risk and dependency management
Own and continuously improve PMO standards, methodologies, governance and tools, including fit-for-purpose product development and delivery frameworks
Integrate AI into PMO processes to increase overall project delivery efficiency
Partnership on Portfolio Governance Enable effective portfolio governance in partnership with R&D Strategy and Portfolio Operations & Insights, Corporate Strategy, Product Management, and business group leaders
Operationalize portfolio priorities into executable programs, roadmaps, and capacity-informed plans
Provide execution-based insights to inform portfolio trade-offs, sequencing, and governance decisions
Deliver clear, consistent execution reporting, dashboards, and metrics to R&D leadership and cross-functional leadership
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence Serve as trusted execution partner to senior executives and cross-functional leaders, in a complex matrixed environment
Drive cross-R&D alignment and collaboration to manage interdependencies and accelerate delivery
Champion transparency and accountability through effective reporting and insights
Talent & Culture Leadership Attract, develop, and retain top-tier PMO and R&D talent
Coach and mentor PM talent to strengthen core competencies and career progression
Foster a high-performing, inclusive culture focused on innovation, adaptability, and measurable outcomes
Core Competencies
Execution excellence: deep expertise in driving delivery rigor across complex, cross-functional portfolios
PMO leadership: proven ability to design, scale, and sustain PMO operating models, standards, and tools
Data-driven decision making: leverage analytics and insights to inform execution and portfolio decisions
Change leadership: effectively lead adoption of new ways of working with minimal disruption
Global mindset: operates effectively across geographies, cultures, and matrixed organizations
Requirements
Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Business, or related field; MBA or PhD preferred.
12-15+ years of experience in R&D portfolio / project management and operations leadership
Demonstrated success building PMO capabilities, strengthening delivery performance, and developing PMO talent
Experience running development programs that include different product types: instruments, assays, regulated products, and software
Advanced understanding of stage-gate product development process and risk management
Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills effective in matrixed organizations
Ability to work independently and collaboratively across all levels of the organization
Positive change agent - experience leading effective change management practices
PMP or similar certification preferred
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Benefits
Health insuranceEquity / stock options
Additional Information
What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?
At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.
Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.
The Head of R&D Portfolio & Project Management Office (PMO) is accountable for execution excellence across a complex and evolving R&D portfolio. Reporting into the Senior Director of R&D Strategy & Portfolio, this role leads and advances best‑in‑class portfolio, program, and project management capabilities to enable disciplined delivery, predictable outcomes, and transparent execution across R&D.
This leader owns the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of scalable PMO practices, including delivery standards, governance models, and enabling tools. In close partnership with R&D Strategy & Portfolio, the role translates portfolio priorities into integrated execution plans, sequencing, and delivery insights that support effective trade‑offs and decision‑making. This role also builds and sustains strong PMO talent to support increasingly complex, cross‑functional R&D initiatives.
Illumina · - California - San Diego