Director R&D, Product Development, and Technical Transfer

Aspire Life Sciences Search

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site

Reporting Line: Group Technical Director

The Director of R&D, Product Development, and Technical Transfer is responsible for shaping the organization s innovation pipeline, overseeing the full lifecycle of product development from concept through commercialization, and managing the seamless transfer of technologies into manufacturing environments.

This pivotal role ensures that all R&D efforts are scientifically rigorous, regulatory-compliant, and aligned with both market demands and internal production capabilities. The Director leads cross-functional scientific teams, formulates development strategies, oversees technical troubleshooting, and ensures scale-up readiness. Collaboration with regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial teams is critical to enable high-impact product launches and sustainable innovation.

Reporting to the Group Technical Director, the Director plays a central role in accelerating growth, strengthening scientific capability, and positioning the organization as a regional and global innovator in the biopharma space.

Essential Responsibilities

R&D Strategy & Innovation

• Define and drive the long-term R&D vision aligned with organizational strategy.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence and continuous innovation.
• Explore emerging technologies to enhance pipeline sustainability and competitive edge.
• Guide early-stage research and technical feasibility to support new product initiatives.

Product Development Lifecycle

• Manage end-to-end development of pharmaceutical products, from early formulation to commercial registration.
• Oversee analytical method development, process design, and lifecycle improvements.
• Ensure all product specifications meet regulatory, clinical, and market expectations.

Technology Transfer

• Lead the execution of technology transfer to internal or external manufacturing partners.
• Align scale-up strategies with operational capabilities and regulatory standards.
• Oversee process validation, documentation, and cross-functional readiness activities.

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure all development and transfer activities comply with global standards (e.g., FDA, EMA, ICH).
• Support regulatory submissions including CTD, IND, and ANDA packages.
• Embed cGMP, GLP, and quality-by-design (QbD) principles into all phases of development.

Scientific & External Collaboration

• Represent the organization in joint development partnerships, licensing assessments, and external conferences.
• Engage with academia, CROs, and CMOs to foster collaboration and technical excellence.
• Communicate R&D outcomes to executive leadership and external stakeholders.

Team Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Lead, coach, and build high-performing multidisciplinary R&D teams.
• Set clear KPIs, resource plans, and timelines across the development portfolio.
• Promote a results-oriented culture with emphasis on innovation, accountability, and efficiency.