Pipedrive

Director of R&D Portfolio and Operations Management

Pipedrive

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Tallinn • Estonia

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Own and evolve the R&D portfolio management framework, ensuring alignment with long-term business strategy
  • Improve operational workflows across Product, Engineering, and Design to increase delivery speed and quality
  • Monitor and communicate R&D investment performance, including clear ROI visibility across workstreams
  • Lead annual and quarterly planning processes, ensuring OKRs are ambitious, measurable, and aligned
  • Build and implement data-driven tools and dashboards to track progress and surface risks
  • Allocate resources across teams to balance AI product development with core platform reliability
  • Manage the R&D budget in partnership with Finance and the CPTO
  • Lead day-to-day R&D Operations, including team management, process improvements, and tooling decisions
  • Partner with senior stakeholders on priorities, resource allocation, and budget adjustments
  • Contribute to and escalate major decisions such as strategic pivots, organisational changes, and key external partnerships
  • Lead and develop the R&D Operations team through hiring, coaching, and performance management
  • Provide operational leadership across cross-functional R&D initiatives to ensure alignment and consistency
  • Collaborate closely with the CPTO, VPs of Engineering, Product, and Design, Finance, and People & Culture to align strategy, execution, and organisational planning

Requirements

  • Senior experience in R&D Operations, Product Operations, Engineering Operations, or a closely related role in a product-led SaaS environment
  • Proven ability to operate at Director level and partner with C-level stakeholders
  • Strong understanding of modern software development, including AI-driven product development
  • Demonstrated experience linking R&D execution to business and revenue outcomes
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
  • Comfort navigating ambiguity, rapid change, and competing priorities
  • Strategic, systems-level thinking combined with strong execution skills
  • Commercial mindset with a clear understanding of how R&D creates customer and business value
  • Pragmatic and outcome-focused approach, using process as a means to achieve results
  • Ability to challenge senior leaders constructively while building trust
  • Collaborative, low-ego leadership style suited to small, expert teams
  • Experience supporting a CPTO, CTO, or CPO directly
  • Exposure to scaling AI capabilities or evolving R&D operating models
  • Experience working in globally distributed R&D organisations
Benefits
  • People-first culture - Be part of a team that values authenticity, champions collaboration, and supports each other—no egos, just teamwork. Work alongside top talent from around the world in an inclusive space where different perspectives fuel our best ideas. Everyone is welcome
  • Unlock potential – Push boundaries, take ownership, and experiment with the latest technologies as we enhance our AI First Vision. We empower bold ideas that drive real change
  • We’ve got you – Your well-being matters. Enjoy flexible hours, wellness perks, and SWAG. Think performance-based bonuses, 28 paid leave days, well-being days, compassionate leave, and even pawternal leave—because we take care of ourselves and our people
  • Grow with us – Whether through mentorship, coaching, or internal mobility, we invest in helping you unlock your potential. Open, honest feedback and clear communication are at our core. We grow together through trust and accountability
  • Packed with purpose – Help 100,000+ small and medium-sized businesses grow and succeed while doing meaningful, customer-driven work
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
R&D portfolio managementoperational workflowsdata-driven toolsdashboardsbudget managementAI product developmentperformance managementprocess improvementsstrategic planningOKRs
Soft Skills
analytical skillscommunication skillsstakeholder managementstrategic thinkingexecution skillscollaborative leadershiptrust buildingcomfort with ambiguityadaptabilityoutcome-focused approach