Senior Director, Research and Innovation, Advanced Surgery

This is where your work makes a difference.

At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results.

Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. 

Your Role at Baxter:

Baxter’s Advanced Surgery division ($1+B) offers a portfolio of clinically proven biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasias, tissue sealing, adhesion prevention, bone & tissue repair and microsurgery as well as best-in-class programs to provide a holistic approach to optimizing surgical care.

As the Senior Director, Research & Innovation, Advanced Surgery, you will lead the strategic direction and execution of early-stage research, technology development, and external innovation. You will shape the future of surgery by advancing next-generation hemostats, sealants, tissue regeneration, and combination products that integrate drug, biologic, and device technologies.

You will drive the research strategy, build a robust innovation portfolio, and forge partnerships that enable differentiated drug-device solutions for complex surgical needs. You will bring a strong scientific background, deep experience in drug development and delivery, and a track record of translating science into commercial value.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Define and execute the long-range research and innovation strategy for Advanced Surgery, with a focus on drug/device combination technologies, local drug delivery, biologics, and biomaterials.

• Identify and prioritize emerging science and technology opportunities in areas such as anti-adhesion, infection prevention, wound healing, hemostasis, tissue regeneration, and controlled drug release.

• Build and manage a multi-year innovation portfolio that balances internal R&D programs with external partnerships and exploratory research.

Drug Development & Delivery Expertise

• Provide scientific leadership in the design and development of local and regional drug delivery solutions, including formulation, stability, and release kinetics.

• Guide preclinical strategy and translational science to enable robust development pathways for drug-device combination products.

• Partner closely with Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, and CMC functions to ensure alignment with drug development requirements and regulatory frameworks.

Organizational & Technical Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers across biomaterials, drug delivery, pharmaceutical sciences, and surgical technologies.

• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, creativity, and executional rigor.

• Ensure effective transition of early concepts to product development programs through disciplined stage-gate processes.

External Innovation & Partnerships

• Establish strategic collaborations with academic centers, startups, and industry partners to accelerate access to emerging technologies and novel drug delivery approaches.

• Lead technical assessments and due diligence for external opportunities (licensing, acquisition, co-development).

• Represent Baxter as a scientific and innovation thought leader at key conferences, consortiums, and industry forums.

Strategic Execution & Impact

• Drive measurable impact on Baxter Advanced Surgery’s innovation pipeline through new IP generation, platform extensions, and early-stage development programs.

• Manage budgets and resources effectively to maximize portfolio value and strategic alignment.

• Partner with commercial, medical, and clinical functions to ensure innovation aligns with unmet surgical needs and market opportunities.

Your Team:

Your Location:

The role is located at our global corporate headquarters in the greater Chicago, IL area northern suburb of Deerfield.  Baxter is committed to supporting the needs for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a required minimum number of days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in-person in support of our Mission. The flexible workplace policy is subject to local laws and legal requirements. At its discretion, Baxter may decide to adjust, suspend, or discontinue as business needs change. 

What You’ll Bring:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related discipline. Advanced business degree a plus.

• 15+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience in medical devices, drug delivery, or combination product development.

• Demonstrated expertise in biomaterial implants, drug formulation, delivery technologies, and translational science.

• Proven track record advancing programs from concept through IND-enabling or equivalent preclinical/early development stages.

• Experience with regulatory strategy and clinical pathways for drug-device combination products.

• Strong communication, strategic thinking, and organizational leadership skills.

• Must possess strong knowledge of scientific disciplines and solid knowledge of related disciplines. Specific knowledge of Oxidized Cellulose, PEG Hydrogels (for tissue sealing and drug delivery), Fibrin Sealants, Gelatin, Collagen, Recombinant drug development, and Synthetic implantable biomaterials is required. 

• Knowledge of quality and general business systems.

• Must possess strong ability to negotiate for resources and influence others internally and externally.

• Must be able to set strategic direction for the organization and broadly communicate the vision.

• Ability to operate on a much broader scope.

#LI-JR1

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all our employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $216,000 - $297,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and long-term incentive. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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