Head of Research

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Director, Engineering

Location: West London

We are currently looking for a Head of Research to join Engineering working with an exceptionally strong team. The Head of Research will initiate and execute research projects, develop new and innovative solutions and technologies; pursue patents where appropriate. Analyze customer and market requirements and needs to identify opportunities and potential customers for IVIS Group technology solutions, devise new solutions and build prototypes whilst maintaining a commercial focus. Stay current on relevant state-of-the-art technologies. Maintain world-class academic credentials through publications, presentations, external collaborations, and service to the research community.

The Head of research will work at multiple levels ranging from individual engineers to around the board room table with senior executives. The Head of Research must be comfortable and effective at communicating in many different ways.

Responsibilities

• Conduct leading-edge technology, platform and vertical specific research in accordance with the direction and product brief set by the product board.


• Prepare and present finding and business cases to the product board


• Collaborate with Product Management to identify new opportunities


• Collaborate with consulting, sales and customer to understand customer needs to translate these into product specifications


• Contribute to roadmap, proposing future technology, vertical and platform directions


• Develop business enabling solution prototypes and proof of concepts


• Collaborate with other engineering heads


• Knowledge transfer to product dev team


• Work with product board to establish new product component release schedules


• Document research concepts, features and prototype to a level that enables the formal definition and development of product components


• Collaborate with other engineering heads to transition research programs into new product development


• Present new product concepts to customers, prospective customers and at conferences


• Publish white papers and present internally and externally. Develop and prepare papers for peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations and patent disclosures


• Assist in the definition and registration of intellectual property


• Patents development


• Day to day management of research staff including performance reviews, task assignment, career planning and development

Required skills and experience

• Extensive experience in complex software research


• Strong leadership skills with experience in providing technical leadership and coordination.


• Strong presentation skills


• Innovative, visionary, pragmatic and proactive approach with strong business and technical vision.


• Strong hands on experience in complex systems application architecture and design


• Good understanding of software component, distributed systems development on OOAD principles.


• Extensive and current experience with leading edge development platforms, tools and technologies


• Ability to introduce new technologies and concepts into the research and across other functions within the organization.


• Strong commercial focus with mature sense of accountability


• Should have knowledge/experience in best practices for software development


• Excellent communication skills both written and spoken.


• Proven results oriented person with a delivery focus

Characteristics

• Dynamic and energetic but level-headed


• Pragmatic


• Approachable with the ability to enthuse, motivate and inspire


• Creative thinker and natural problem solver


• Credible, assertive and influential


• A “can-do” attitude with a passion and general curiosity for technology


• Ability to communicate business values and benefits


• Methodical with good attention to detail


• Able and keen to use initiative to identify and take ownership for additional tasks that add value to the customer or team.


• Able to work in a team or independently and manage own time.


• Strong communicator with the ability to interact with customers at all levels.


• Willingness to travel

Desirable skills

• Knowledge Management


• Rule Engine technology


• Semantic Web


• CMM/ISO knowledge