Head of Project Management (f/m/x)

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That's just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people.

In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together.

Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow.

Diversity is a part of ZEISS. We look forward to receiving your application silence of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.

Apply now! It takes less than 10 minutes. 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, guarantee priorityitization 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 adequate 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, 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 harmonisation 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).

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 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