HEAD OF RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT CREWE UP TO 70,000THE OPPORTUNITY We are recruiting for a Head of Research and Development to take ownership of all RandD and New Product Development activity for a growing, values-led organisation.This is a senior, hands-on leadership role suited to someone who excels in project and programme management, innovation governance, and end-to-end delivery. While this role sits at Head of Department level, it is not a large people-management position, instead, it focuses on leading RandD activity through coordination, influence, and cross-functional collaboration.Reporting directly to the CEO, you will define and deliver the RandD and innovation strategy, manage the full RandD budget, and ensure that new products are taken from concept through to successful market launch in a structured, commercially focused way.THE ROLEOwn and manage the full RandD and NPD budget, ensuring effective resource allocationDefine, implement, and evolve the RandD and innovation strategy aligned to business goalsDevelop and maintain multi-year product and technology roadmapsEstablish clear governance, controls, and reporting frameworks for RandD activityTrack and record RandD hours to a high standard to support tax reclaimsOversee intellectual property protection, ensuring NDAs are in place and liaising with legal advisorsLead the full product lifecycle from ideation and feasibility through design, validation, launch, and reviewEnsure all developments meet regulatory, s