Design & Product Development Project Lead

Spearheading strategy and execution in an established design environment, this position leads development and execution of product innovation projects. Working across departments including design, testing, clinical services, manufacturing, and business development, the role establishes clear frameworks to move ideas from concept to real-world application.

Initially, the role focuses on organisational design and systems development—project intake processes, scoping and quoting mechanisms, departmental interfaces, client collaboration protocols, progress documentation, and invoicing models. As these structures mature, the focus transitions into active project management, maintaining scope, schedule, and budget across a portfolio of programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and establish operational processes for project intake, scoping, quoting, progress documentation, client collaboration, and invoicing.
  

• Build and maintain project scopes, schedules, and budgets for a portfolio of physical product development initiatives.
  

• Act as operational connector and traffic manager to shepherd innovations through cross-functional departments, including design, clinical testing, RAD Lab testing, manufacturing, and business development.
  

• Coordinate design-to-production handovers, customisation projects, and product improvements.
  

• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement structured project management systems to improve cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
  

• Monitor project budgets, grant milestones, and funder reporting requirements.
  

• Support compliance with ISO 13485 quality processes and documentation.
  

• Provide dedicated project management support to project teams once core operational structures are established.
  

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' project management experience within engineering, manufacturing, physical product development, or a related technical environment.
  

• Proven track record in physical product development (distinct from software product management).
  

• Demonstrated expertise in leadership, organizational design, and strategic systems thinking.
  

• Experience building and managing project scope, schedule, and budget across complex cross-functional teams.
  

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in the medical device or assistive technology sectors.
  

• Background working within ISO 13485 or ISO 17025 regulated environments.
  

• Experience managing grant-funded projects, innovation programmes, or incubators.
  

Benefits