Chief Executive Officer

CEO Position at Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute

We are seeking an exceptional CEO who bridges science and business, either a scientifically trained business executive or a scientist with deep managerial and commercial experience. The ideal candidate brings an outstanding track record of building and leading organizations and delivering against ambitious, high-stakes targets.

This role is responsible for creating and sustaining a world-class, entrepreneurial research environment where scientists can perform at their highest potential and drive transformative discovery. The CEO will serve as the organization's primary external representative, developing strategic partnerships, funding relationships, and collaborative networks, while reporting to the Executive Director and Board.

Strong experience in drug discovery through preclinical development, alongside demonstrated success in biomedical innovation and product development, is essential. We are looking for a bold, proactive leader with strong ethical standards, exceptional execution capability, and full ownership of organizational success. Less than a full-time commitment may be considered.

About the Role

Seeking partnerships and alliances to further the agenda of NGNRI

Nurture interest and secure additional funding from other philanthropic sources and national funding agencies (such as the NIH) to strengthen and further build research efforts focused on NF1 and other neurological disorders.

Build up and promote the NGNRI organization

Establish governance structures and lead the NGNRI management team

Establish and bring to life a communication tree for internal communication as well as outreach and public relations activities to engage the community and public at large

Nurture relations with City and State officials and other regional stakeholders to promote and secure the NGNRI agenda

Together with the NGNRI Chief Scientific Officer, establish programs and activities to engage the NF1 and broader scientific community

Together with the NGNRI Chief Scientific Officer, promote the attractiveness of NGNRI guest programs to the scientists in leading research organizations and establish partnering programs with their institutions

Together with the NGNRI COO, build up and oversee the administrative operations of NGNRI

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations at the highest ethical standards

About You

Builder, entrepreneurial, go-getter

Visionary, motivated, able to inspire

Excellent communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations

Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multicultural teams

Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose

Able to unite individuals and build a common agenda

Able to serve as an ambassador of NGNRI and with proven diplomatic skills

An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading a team. Ideally, experience as a CEO, CSO, Managing Director or Director of a biomedical research driven enterprise. Research group leaders and PIs with strong experience leading research and with some business experience may also be considered.

A builder rather than a steady-state manager • Ability to provide vision and motivate a team to build an organization and make it flourish

Substantive corroborated experience leading challenging goal-driven research programs or biomedical product development opportunities to success

Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider and adopt alternative strategies when needed

Outstanding interpersonal skills, communication and team-building

Profound understanding and experience in managing an optimal environment for top level research

Proactive, go-getter with a can-do attitude together with the stamina to attend to details along the way

Ability to attract and recruit talent

Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in a professional environment

Experience assuming accountability for projects or research driven initiatives

PhD in a biomedical discipline, or MBA. If an MBA, ideally accompanied by a BSc in a biomedical discipline or experience in biomedical research