Vice President of Research and Development

SmartWorks is a division of Harris Computer Systems, a unique company that has served the utility community in North America and the Caribbean for over 40 years. At SmartWorks, we create brilliant products that help utilities serve customers better and do it more efficiently, with stewardship for the environment and responsible use of resources.  We pride ourselves on our record of making highly advanced solutions available cost-effectively to resource-constrained, mid-sized utilities, with dramatic results.

JOB SUMMARY

As Vice President of Research & Development, this professional must possess strong leadership, project management expertise, product vision, financial acumen, and exceptional communication skills. They will inspire and manage their team while overseeing roadmap, product development, P&L and financial forecasting for the R&D team.

Job Description

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary R&D team, including software development, IT infrastructure, product management, and security.
• Oversee the department’s financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and optimizing return on investment.
• Define R&D strategies, goals, and objectives to align with business priorities, driving software innovation and technical excellence.
• Collaborate with the executive team to identify market opportunities, evaluate emerging technologies, and develop strategic product roadmaps.
• Translate business goals & product requirements into actionable development plans.
• Manage strategic partnerships with vendors and suppliers.
• Perform comprehensive leadership responsibilities, including team development, performance management, and strategic decision-making.
• Work directly with customers to understand their needs, gather feedback, and ensure successful product delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure R&D serves the broader business, fostering collaborative solutions with other departments.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Engineering, related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 10+ years of management experience within the software industry.
• Strong background in software development methodologies, best practices, and modern engineering processes.
• Proficient in operational and financial aspects of a software company, with knowledge of general business financial principles.
• A collaborative leader who actively listens, values diverse perspectives, and fosters a culture of open dialogue.
• Decisive and pragmatic, able to make informed decisions based on team input and data-driven insights.
• Experience managing multiple, globally distributed teams of engineers and other business professionals
• A hands-on leader who is not afraid to contribute directly, while effectively managing and prioritizing work for both themselves and the team.
• Some travel will be required.