Director - Research & Technology Center (RTC)

About UmicorePowering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.About Umicore Battery MaterialsWe are all on the move. Umicore’s rechargeable battery materials give people autonomy and connectivity. We are a pioneer in battery materials that give added range and performance to electric vehicles. Our materials also ensure longer battery life for portable electronics. To enable our customers to produce even better performing batteries we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.What You Will Be DoingAs Director of the Research & Technology Center (RTC), you will lead Umicore’s global R&D efforts for Cathode Active Materials (CAM) in Cheonan, South Korea. You will drive innovation, operational excellence , strategic partnerships and an engaged workforce to advance next-generation battery materials from lab-scale to industrial reality.Responsibilities:Strategic & Operational Leadership Lead CAM R&D activities and manage the RTC site, including labs, pilot-scale facilities, analytical equipment, and battery testing labs.Define and execute the strategic roadmap for CAM competence development and innovation.Oversee OPEX (~€20M/year) and CAPEX budgets for RTC operations. Project Execution Coordinate and deliver key R&D projects across CAM platforms (High-Ni, Medium-Ni HV, HLM, CAM-SSB).Ensure successful product transfers from lab/pilot to industrial scale.Maintain adherence to quality standards (e.g., VDA6.3) and development methodologies (DOE, FMEA). Innovation & IP Support patent filings and IP strategy in collaboration with the Sr. Director of Innovation & IP.Build and maintain external research collaborations with academia and industry. Team DevelopmentLead a diverse, high-performing team within a global, matrixed organization.Foster employee engagement, talent development, and succession planning. Stakeholder EngagementInterface with internal stakeholders (Program Management, Process Technology) and external partners (OEMs, government bodies, academic experts and customers).Ensure stakeholder satisfaction through product quality and readiness. Who we are looking for Requirements:15+ years in senior R&D leadership roles, preferably in battery materials or automotive sectors.PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Electrochemistry.Recognized expertise in the field of active materials for Lithium-Ion batteriesSuccessful track record in project, program and portfolio management at large scale with automotive and OEM manufacturers, including experience of working within a Product Development Process or with an OEM development processFluent in English; knowledge of Asian languages ( especially Korean / Chinese / Japanese ) are a plusTeam leadership experience with ability to recruit, develop and mentor a high performing team and leading diverse, matrixed, multi-cultural and multi-functional teams;Strong interpersonal skills and promoter of inter-team cooperationInnovative and customer-oriented mindsetProven track record in large-scale project and portfolio managementStrong leadership and people development capabilitie sExcellent communication and stakeholder management skillsAnalytical, strategic, and results-driven mindset What We OfferWe aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do? If our battery materials can power electric vehicles, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?