Director, Global Water Research

Position

Summary The Director, Global Water Research leads a global team of microbiologists, chemists, and chemical engineers to develop chemical solutions for industrial Water Treatment markets. This role drives chemical and digital innovation, partners with key business stakeholders, and ensures successful creation, deployment, and support of Water R&D solutions. The position has full ownership of Water R&D talent, strategy, and project execution across global teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Critical Water Research Product Launches

Ensure all pre-launch systems successfully complete functional testing.

Maintain clear, consistent communication across global cross-functional workstreams.

Provide executive-level visibility for all strategic projects.

Use virtual collaboration tools to build highly effective global water teams.

Lead hiring for all key water resources.

Oversee onboarding of all new water team members.

2. Lead ChemicalDigital Offering Launches

Ensure pre-launch chemical/digital products pass validation and testing.

Support market and region selection decisions.

Establish relevant revenue targets across projects.

Monitor, challenge, and support launch progress with Business Units and R&D teams.

Validate integration between chemical programs and digital systems.

3. Drive a Relevant and Impactful Global Water R&D Portfolio

Manage the global Water R&D portfolio.

Lead selection of relevant chemistries, sensors, and control strategies.

Guide the team in developing differentiated chemistries

Oversee development of solutions

Ensure excellence in project management across teams.

Support development and execution of the long-term global Water R&D strategy and roadmap. 4. People & Talent Management

Promote a productive global R&D culture aligned with the Seven Principles.

Foster an innovation-driven, quality-focused, solutions-oriented mindset.

Oversee Water laboratories to ensure global alignment in R&D efforts.

Manage, coach, and develop associates.

Serve on the R&D leadership team.

Use outcome-based KPMs to drive regional team performance.

Conduct regular performance discussions and reviews.

Provide learning and growth opportunities for team members.

5. Contribute to a High-Performing R&D Leadership Team

Collaborate to accomplish cross-team objectives.

Provide leadership beyond core functional areas.

Hold peers accountable for commitments.

Build strong internal leadership relationships.

Demonstrate behaviors of a high-performing team.

Qualifications Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.

Experience

10+ years of industrial research and R&D management experience.

Required experience in industrial water treatment (cooling, boiler, pretreatment, wastewater) and specialty chemicals.

Advanced mechanistic knowledge in scale, corrosion, biofouling, flocculation, and coagulation control.

Experience using sensors and automation/control systems in water applications (highly desirable).

Experience collaborating with external suppliers and making Make/Buy decisions.

Strong communication skills across functions and organizational levels.

International experience managing global teams.

Demonstrated research record with extensive hands-on R&D experience.

Experience developing new products and taking them to commercialization.

Business and financial acumen.

Knowledge of laboratory study methodology, documentation, and safety requirements.

Experience managing metrics and budgets.

Experience digitizing product development processes.

Experience managing open innovation projects and external partnerships.

Experience developing industrial service technologies and offerings.

Language Requirements

Fluent in English

Other languages: Not required (optional)

Competencies

Action Oriented Tackles challenges with urgency, energy, and enthusiasm.

Cultivates Innovation Creates new and improved methods for success.

Organizational Savvy Navigates organizational complexity effectively.

Builds Networks Builds strong internal and external relationships.

Being Resilient Recovers quickly from setbacks and challenges.