Head of project management, R&D

Are you ready to help shape the future of R&D (Research and Development) and take a key role in driving transformative solutions?

At DLF, we are looking for a Head of Project Management within our R&D department to help ensure delivery of new cutting-edge product solutions from across our global research network. 

You would have a strong background in project management processes and tools, together with an understanding of long-term research discovery and development pipelines for biology-based products. This is your opportunity to make a direct impact on our global R&D strategy, create value for our customers, and contribute to DLF’s ongoing success in the agriculture industry.

Why DLF?
DLF is a global leader within forage and turf seeds, situated in Denmark, Roskilde (soon in a new Headquarter just outside of Copenhagen) with roughly 2,000 employees across more than 20 countries, serving customers in 100 countries. We are on an exciting journey as our Executive Management has set ambitious targets for the global company over the next 3 years under our newly formed Group Strategy “Connecting to Grow”.

We are looking for talent to come and help us!
As Head of Project Management, R&D, you will fill a newly created role and play a pivotal role in shaping our global R&D portfolio. You will partner closely with our R&D Executive Leadership Team to implement project management and governance processes that ensure our R&D investments continue to be aligned with business goals and deliver results. You will bring clarity to complex projects, drive agility, and prioritize initiatives that meet the evolving needs of our business.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead R&D Portfolio Management: Work closely with the Executive Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer  to provide a clear overview of the R&D portfolio. Ensure decisions are data-driven and advise on when focus areas or priorities need to shift.

• Governance & Process Improvement: Build and implement robust project management processes for R&D activities (e.g., plant breeding, trait development, technology, and services). Develop best practices for project prioritization, planning, and reporting.

• Enhance Transparency & Efficiency: Facilitate initiatives to drive transparency, simplify processes, and improve organizational efficiency across global R&D teams. Implement a Lean mindset to create value and reduce waste.

• Strategic Alignment: Conduct consolidated analyses of R&D activities, ensuring alignment with current and future business needs. Help identify strategic opportunities and ensure that R&D efforts are properly resourced and executed.

• Drive Agility: Ensure that R&D projects are executed on time, within budget, and with the agility to adapt to market and business changes.

This is you!

We are looking for a candidate who thrives in a dynamic, global environment and has a proven track record in managing project portfolios within a research and discovery setting. If you are passionate about driving excellence, streamlining processes, and ensuring that projects deliver commercial success, you may be the perfect fit for our team.

We’re looking for someone who can bring not only expertise, leadership, and a strategic mindset to the table, but also a strong analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Does this sound like you?

• 5+ years of professional experience in a project management office, with a strong focus on stakeholder and project management, and expertise in relevant tools.

• Proven success in bringing structure and system to project portfolios, managing tasks from start to finish, ensuring timely completion and closure.

• Experience in an R&D environment, with insight into decision-making processes around R&D priorities and understanding how these contribute to commercial success.

• Experience working in a global matrix organization, with exposure to head office operations.

• Previous experience in managing organizational change, helping project leads improve reporting quality and successfully implement standardization processes.

• Skilled at prioritizing risks and issues, ensuring that the focus remains on key objectives.

• Ability to apply the right tools for developing and managing portfolios, transformation roadmaps, governance systems, and strategy realization.

Are you intrigued? Are you ready to take your career to the next level?

If you would like to hear more about the position, feel free to contact Executive Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer, Derek Bartlem, at e-mail: derek.bartlem@dlf.com.

Please note that this role is based in Denmark and a valid work permit is required for this position.  There are expected travel days annually, including some international travel.

If you can see yourself in this role and view it as an exciting opportunity to become part of DLF, please send us your motivated CV! We only need a few words about why you have been waiting for this job opportunity.

We invite candidates on an ongoing basis, so we recommend that you submit your motivated CV via the following link.

We look forward to hearing from you!