CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Fast-Growing Oncology Diagnostics Biotech · Confidential Search · Managed by TSE Executive Search
THE COMPANY
This is a rare opportunity to serve as the founding CMO of a high-growth oncology diagnostics biotech at a pivotal inflection point. The organization is advancing a differentiated diagnostics pipeline with the potential to meaningfully change how oncology patients are identified, stratified, and treated. With strong investor backing, a lean and exceptional team, and a clear path toward registration, this is a career-defining seat for a physician-scientist ready to lead.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As Chief Medical Officer, you will own the medical and clinical vision of the company — from early-stage trial design through regulatory approval. You will report directly to the CEO, serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, and be the external face of the company’s science.
This is not a Medical Affairs role. This is a build role. You will architect the clinical development function, lead a high-performing team of clinical directors, scientists, and operations professionals, and drive the execution of trials with the speed, rigor, and patient-centricity that defines great biotech medicine.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
Clinical Leadership & Strategy
- Define and execute the company’s clinical development strategy across the full pipeline, from Phase 1 through registration
- Serve as a voting member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to corporate strategy, pipeline prioritization, and business development decisions
- Represent the company at scientific conferences, with regulatory agencies, investors, partners, and key opinion leaders
- Contribute to target and modality selection, ensuring a seamless preclinical-to-clinical transition
Team Building & Organizational Development
- Build, lead, and mentor the clinical research function — clinical directors, clinical scientists, clinical operations, and pharmacovigilance
- Recruit talent of the right caliber and experience to keep the organization lean, fast, and high-performing
- Foster a culture of safety, inclusion, intellectual rigor, and patient-first decision-making
- Support the professional development and career growth of direct reports and the broader clinical team
Trial Execution & Scientific Oversight
- Design and oversee clinical studies with deep personal engagement in the science — knowing the details of each study, each site, and each patient population
- Disseminate clinical knowledge internally to enable fast, informed decision-making across the organization
- Direct internal and external resources — CROs, consultants, clinical sites — to execute trials swiftly, with quality and compliance
- Maintain close cross-functional collaboration with Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Quantitative Sciences, Preclinical Drug Discovery, and CMC/Quality
External Relationships
- Identify and cultivate relationships with investigators, key opinion leaders, and clinical site partners
- Engage scientific advisory boards and regulatory agencies with credibility and conviction
- Serve as the medical and scientific voice of the company to partners, investors, and the broader oncology community
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Required
- M.D. with 10+ years of combined clinical and drug development experience
- Demonstrated experience in early-phase drug development — novel compound testing, dose selection, safety signal interpretation, and Phase 1 design
- At least one registrational study experience with direct regulatory agency interaction (FDA/EMA)
- Required prior experience with biologics; immunology drug development experience required
- A documented track record of leadership in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry — recognized internally and externally as a leader in their field
- Experience in oncology diagnostics, companion diagnostics, or oncology-adjacent drug development strongly preferred
- Medical Affairs experience alone does not meet the qualification threshold
Preferred
- Experience across both early-stage biotech and larger pharmaceutical organizations
- Comfort operating in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment where speed and judgment matter equally
The Right Person
- Leads with a patient-first mindset in every trial design decision
- Dives deeply into science outside their stated area of expertise — intellectually curious and willing to learn
- Makes thoughtful, defensible decisions quickly with incomplete data
- Holds themselves and their team to exceptionally high standards — and has the courage to have difficult conversations in service of patients and strategy
- Brings creativity and open-mindedness to new methodologies and bold clinical strategies
- Maintains consistent professionalism under pressure
- Manages multiple programs at various clinical stages with strong organizational discipline
HOW TO APPLY
This search is managed exclusively and confidentially by TSE Executive Search.
Qualified candidates should submit a CV and cover letter to:
jobs@tseworldwide.com
All applications are held in the strictest confidence.