Project Manager, R&D at Baxter International in Deerfield, IL

Job description

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 Drive Innovation. Deliver Impact. Improve Lives. At Baxter, project management is more than coordinating timelines and budgets. It's about turning ideas into solutions that help healthcare providers and patients around the world. We're looking for a strategic leader who thrives in complex environments, embraces challenges, and brings people together to achieve ambitious goals. In this role, you'll be at the center of critical initiatives that shape the future of our Advanced Surgery business. You'll navigate uncertainty, remove obstacles, and transform opportunities into measurable results. Whether you're launching a new product, optimizing manufacturing operations, or leading a business-critical program, your work will directly contribute to our mission of saving and sustaining lives. What You'll Do As a Project Manager, you will serve as the driving force behind complex, high-impact programs, leading cross-functional teams from concept through execution and launch. You'll align business objectives, technical requirements, and operational priorities to ensure successful outcomes. You will: Lead strategic, cross-functional projects that support business growth, product development, and operational excellence. Build alignment across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, regulatory, and commercial teams. Develop and execute project plans that deliver results on time, within budget, and in accordance with business objectives. Drive data-informed decision making through financial analysis, resource planning, market insights, and investment evaluations. Identify risks early, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively address challenges before they impact project success. Partner with senior leaders and key stakeholders to influence decisions, secure alignment, and accelerate execution. Guide teams through product lifecycle management processes and key stage-gate milestones. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Champion operational excellence by identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance organizational effectiveness. Ensure successful project launches while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and customer impact. What You'll Bring We're seeking a confident leader who combines strategic thinking with strong execution skills and thrives in a dynamic, regulated environment. Bachelor's degree in Engineering and 8+ years of related experience, or Master's degree with 6+ years of experience. 5+ years of project management experience leading complex, multi-site initiatives. Experience within regulated industries, preferably medical device, pharmaceutical, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing. Proven ability to lead through influence, drive execution, and deliver results across diverse teams. Strong business acumen, financial management, and strategic planning capabilities. Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated success managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments. PMP, PMI, IPMA, or equivalent project management certification preferred. Applicants must be authorized to work for any