Vice President, Device Hardware

Denmark
Smørum
Are you a passionate leader with genuine vision and a desire to make a true impact to our heading aid business and improve the lives of millions of people worldwide?

Then we have a truly unique opportunity in our Hearing Instruments Group where we are looking for a visionary Vice President to develop our Device Hardware organisation. You will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of our R&D organization in a global organization, and will be an important part of the R&D leadership team in driving innovation and transformation of our hardware development organisation, reporting to the Senior Vice President of R&D.

We are approx. 300 skilled employees in Device Hardware located both in Denmark and Poland. As the Vice President of Device Hardware, you will be heading up the R&D Device Hardware leadership team of six experienced senior directors and directors located in Denmark (Smørum) and Poland (Stettin). You will together with the leadership team ensure that we are at the forefront of innovation, overseeing all aspects of hardware development which includes all the physical elements of the heading aid devices and associated accessories. We in Device Hardware are responsible for HW portfolio planning, HW architectures, development of chipset, mechanics, electro-acoustic, electronics, usability, requirements and testing, project execution and many more exciting elements to make it all come together in world class devices.

Key responsibilities areas

• Strategic Leadership: Define and implement the R&D Hardware strategy aligned with the overall business goals, focusing on innovation, quality and time-to market.
• People Leadership: Promote a strong people agenda to ensure a highly engaged organisation and create people followership. Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration within and across the organization.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and inspire a great leadership team, maintaining a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Change Management: Support the organisation through a transformation of new agile ways of working.
• Innovation: Spearhead the development of new hardware technologies, ensuring alignment with emerging trends in customer and user needs.
• Optimization & Automation: Drive a continuous focus on optimizing product development processes, including automation and advanced technologies to improve efficiency, reduce time-to-market, and minimize costs.
• Project Management: Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
• Collaboration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional departments, including software development, production, quality and portfolio and program management to ensure effective product development and market launches.
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation: Manage the Device Hardware budget, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure optimal use of technology and personnel.
• External Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including research institutions, technology providers, and healthcare professionals.

Your competencies
The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a solid engineering background and extensive senior-level experience in developing hardware product development within large, international organisations. You have a clear focus on optimization and automation, constantly seeking opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. You have a previous experience with of effectively navigating and working within a matrix organizational structure.

Highly strategic, you possess the vision and expertise to facilitate and integrate product innovation into commercial growth. You excel at balancing innovation with operational capacity, demonstrating the ability to find solutions and ensure timely delivery even in complex circumstances.

In terms of the competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of experience within hardware development, typically in medical device industry, with at least 7 years in a leadership role focused on hardware development. Extensive knowledge of hardware development processes and preferably experience with external development through partnerships. Experience from growing a multi-brand/multi-product/multi-site organisation is beneficial.
• Leadership: Proven history of building and developing high-performance leadership teams, with the ability to inspire and promote innovation. Strong change management experience, and also experience working agile development model.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: Comprehensive verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Good interpersonal skills, handling many different stakeholders both internally and externally with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation.
• Problem-Solving: Good analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a proactive approach to solving complex technical and operational challenges.
• Education: Master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.

Location

• located at Headquarter in Smørum, Denmark.

Welcome onboard!
Please send your CV and motivational letter as soon as possible, as we are screening applications on a continuous basis. Please note that we only accept applications through our online recruitment system.

If you want to apply - or have questions, please reach out to Kim Brusgaard Haldne Senior Vice President, R&D at [email protected].

Deadline for applications: 29. September 2024.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

At Demant we value diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of ethnic background, personality, age, gender, and education. Diversity is part of our cultural DNA. Women in STEM areas are particularly encouraged to apply, as Demant supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

About Demant

Demant is a world leading hearing healthcare and technology group built on a heritage of care, health, and innovation since 1904. The Group offers innovative technologies, solutions, and expertise to enable people hear better. In every aspect, from hearing care, hearing aids and hearing implants to diagnostic equipment and services and audio solutions, Demant is active and engaged. Headquartered in Denmark, the Group employs more than 21,000 people globally and is present with solutions in 130 countries where we create life-changing hearing health and high-end audio and video solutions. William Demant Foundation holds the majority of shares in Demant A/S, which is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and among the 25 most traded stocks.