Vice President of Scientific Affairs and R&D

The Opportunity

The VP, Scientific Affairs & R&D is a senior leadership role and the single accountable owner for scientific credibility, product innovation, and clinical substantiation strategy. Reporting to the CEO, this leader connects science, clinical evidence, product development, and practitioner education into one integrated function that drives competitive differentiation and long-term brand trust.

The VP will lead a team of four direct reports spanning Scientific Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Medical/Scientific Writing, and R&D. This role is both strategic and deeply technical — setting direction for the innovation pipeline and clinical program while also engaging directly in complex substantiation work, formulation decisions, and high-stakes scientific communications. The VP serves as principal scientific voice with practitioners, regulators, and the scientific community.

Scientific & Organizational Leadership

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing Scientific Affairs & R&D team of four direct reports spanning clinical research, medical/scientific writing, and product development.
• Provide scientific thought leadership that informs corporate strategy, product priorities, brand positioning, and commercial execution.
• Represent with regulators, the board, industry bodies, scientific forums, and key external partners on matters of science and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with the VP of Quality & Regulatory Affairs to ensure scientific and regulatory strategies are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
• Clinical & Scientific Affairs
• Own clinical affairs strategy, including the design, execution, and reporting of studies that substantiate product claims and support innovation.
• Establish and maintain SOPs for clinical studies and ensure scientific rigor in statistical analysis, data interpretation, and reporting.
• Lead external validation and substantiation studies, including protocol and report authoring, analytical concordance, and method comparison work where applicable.
• Serve as the clinical and scientific SME in cross-functional decisions, partner discussions, and regulatory engagements.
• Education & Thought Leadership
• Author and oversee manuscripts, abstracts, whitepapers, and oral/poster presentations that build scientific credibility.
• Build and oversee education programs for internal teams, healthcare practitioners, commercial partners, and consumers.
• Develop and maintain a practitioner-focused portal and related resources to support HCP education and engagement.
• Partner with Marketing and Sales on practitioner segmentation, clinical review of brand materials, and the scientific basis for brand priorities.
• Research & Development
• Identify ingredient, formulation, and category trends to guide portfolio strategy, new product innovation, and upgrades to existing products.
• Oversee product formulation and development to deliver the new and upgraded product pipeline on time and on target.
• Partner with commercial, operations, and supply chain leaders to ensure R&D outputs are manufacturable, scalable, and aligned with brand strategy.
• Maintain awareness of the competitive landscape and scientific literature to inform innovation priorities and claim positioning.

What You'll Need

Experience & Education

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent) in pharmaceutical, biomedical, nutritional, or related sciences strongly preferred; Master's degree required.
• 10-15+ years of progressive leadership across scientific affairs, clinical research, and R&D functions within the dietary supplement, nutrition, consumer health, or pharmaceutical industries.
• 4+ years of direct experience in clinical research, medical/scientific writing, and scientific substantiation.
• Track record of leading innovation pipelines and clinical programs from concept through commercialization in a regulated environment.

• Technical Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of FDA regulation of dietary supplements — including DSHEA, 21 CFR 111 cGMP, and labeling/claims rules — and FTC substantiation requirements.
• Strong command of clinical study design, biostatistics, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) as applied to dietary supplement and nutrition products.
• Demonstrated ability to author and oversee scientific publications, regulatory submissions, and clinical study reports.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific and regulatory standards into practical brand strategy and product innovation.
• Strong medical and scientific writing, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.

• Leadership Attributes

• Strategic leader with genuine scientific depth — able to move between board-level strategy and technical detail with equal credibility.
• Sound ethical judgment and an unwavering commitment to consumer safety and scientific integrity.
• Executive presence; credible with regulators, scientific audiences, practitioners, and commercial partners.
• Collaborative operator who builds trust across functions and drives outcomes in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Calm, decisive, and clear-headed under pressure — including in situations with regulatory, commercial, or reputational stakes.