The Director of R&D Operations will enhance the collaboration between Product, Engineering, and Design teams, focusing on operational workflows, resource allocation, and strategic alignment to drive R&D performance and outcomes.
We believe it takes great people to create a great product. That’s why our team lives our company values, and we hire based on them, too. Since 2010, Pipedrive has been on a mission to support sales and marketing teams with easy-to-use, powerful tools that make everyday work faster and easier. Today, our cloud-based software is trusted by over 100,000 companies and used in 179 countries. We have grown from a five-person team to a truly international company of over 850+ people, representing more than 50 nationalities, with ten offices distributed across Europe and the US. In 2020, Pipedrive received a majority investment from Vista Equity Partners, a global investment firm that invests exclusively in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses, making Pipedrive the fifth unicorn from Estonia.
We’re looking for a Director of R&D Operations to help shape how our Product, Engineering, and Design (PED) teams work together to deliver high-impact outcomes. This role sits at the center of strategy and execution, connecting long-term business goals with day-to-day R&D operations.
You’ll partner closely with senior leadership, including the CPTO, to ensure our R&D investments, processes, and teams are aligned, effective, and set up to scale.
Your new adventure:
- 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
Does this sound like you?
- 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
Why Pipedrive?
- 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
Based on this role's access to certain data, Pipedrive might conduct a pre-employment background investigation in conjunction with your application for employment with our company. Such data will be handled in accordance with Pipedrive's Privacy Policy for Recruitment.
Pipedrive is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.
Please note that for this role we’re currently unable to offer relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.
#LI-Hybrid #LI-LR2
We’re looking for a Director of R&D Operations who makes a meaningful impact on how R&D operates and turns strategy into execution.
If this is something for you, send us your resume (in English) or a link to your LinkedIn profile and please add why we should pay extra attention to your application.
Top Skills
AI
Engineering Operations
Product Management
R&D Operations
SaaS
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