Director, Clinical Testing & Claims, R&D

The Director, Claims & Clinical Testing will lead e.l.f. Beauty’s global substantiation program—architecting claims governance, shaping study strategy, and translating scientific outcomes into clear, compliant, and differentiated consumer‑relevant claims. Partnering closely with Product Development (PD), R&D, Regulatory, Legal, and Product Innovation/Marketing, this leader designs and delivers clinical and consumer studies from early feasibility through commercialization while instilling disciplined processes that accelerate decisions and reduce risk. The role spans all brands and multiple categories—including color/makeup, skin care, hair care, and others—with responsibility for end‑to‑end claims substantiation and product testing (safety, consumer, and clinical) across innovation projects.

This Director establishes fit‑for‑purpose study protocols and designs that demonstrate efficacy and enable compelling, including numerical, claims; manages all testing details and key milestones to meet timelines; and builds strategic relationships with external labs to optimize timing, quality, and cost. Additionally, the role identifies the latest ingredient technologies and actively mines for innovative ingredients to drive pipeline innovation; monitors competitive claims and stays current on emerging research across skin, color, and hair; and partners closely with our global R&D formulation team and Product Development to share insights, methods, and technologies that inform development and positioning. The ideal candidate thrives in e.l.f.’s culture of quality and speed, brings a minimum of 10 years’ experience in personal‑care claims substantiation, and is proficient in statistical principles, study design/methodology, good clinical practices, and data integrity. This position reports to the Associate Vice President, R&D and is based in New York.

Maintain a streamlined claims governance framework to enable fast, compliant approvals across brands and categories.

Centralize substantiation materials (briefs, protocols, reports, decisions) and maintain audit-ready documentation with clear version control.

Define end-to-end clinical and consumer study strategies that align to product intent and timelines, including clear objectives, endpoints, success criteria, and statistical rigor.

Design fit-for-purpose protocols and questionnaires to substantiate differentiated efficacy claims, including numerical claims, from early feasibility through commercialization.

Oversee execution with external labs/CROs: IRB preparation, sample planning/labeling/shipping, data review, and timely delivery of final reports.

Translate scientific data, technology, mechanisms of action, etc. into consumer-friendly claims and educational assets for on-pack, e-commerce, retail, articles and campaign use.

Partner with Product Innovation/Marketing, PD, and Creative to ensure claims storytelling is accurate, compelling, and consistent across channels.

Identify and assess emerging ingredient technologies; mine for innovative ingredients and methods that unlock new claim territories.

Monitor competitive claims and latest research in color/makeup, skin care, hair care, and related categories; share insights to guide pipeline and positioning.

Translate data, technologies, and mechanisms of action into clear, consumer-friendly claims and educational assets for pack, e‑commerce, retail, and campaigns.

Build and manage strategic relationships with external testing labs; negotiate scope/ standards of work (SOWs), and optimize timing, quality, and cost.

Maintain dashboards for study status, cycle times, and inquiry turnaround to drive transparency and decision-making.

BS/MS in chemistry, biology, or other related technical disciplines. MS or PhD preferred

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in claims support and clinical testing for color and skin care or similar categories, including sun care (SPF)

Proficient in principles of statistical analysis, study design and methodology, study design and methodology, good clinical practices and data integrity principles

Proven experience in clinical method development and innovative clinical designs

Highly effective organizational planning skills and project management of multiple projects/products

Ability to work cross-functionally & at all levels within the organization

Experience working with external testing partners and ingredient suppliers globally

Willing to travel to meet with external testing facilities

Familiar with global SPF testing methods and hair care testing methodology