Director of R&D Portfolio and Operations Management

Title: Director of R&D Portfolio and Operations Management Location: Portugal, Lisbon Commitment: Full Time Department: CPTO Team: R&D Operations All Locations: Portugal, Lisbon

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