VP, Science & Strategy

Founded in the heart of Kendall Square in 2013, LabCentral is a network of shared laboratory spaces and scientific communities that serve as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups. We deliver first-class facility and operational support, skilled laboratory personnel, and an expansive events program designed to add value to the community and promote connectivity, as well as the other critical services and support that early-stage companies need to begin start-up operations.

LabCentral seeks a visionary Science & Strategy leader to join our executive team. This executive role is responsible for shaping and executing LabCentral’s scientific and strategic direction, ensuring LabCentral’s position at the forefront of life sciences innovation. The perfect candidate will forge high-impact partnerships, serve as a leading voice in the scientific and entrepreneurial community, and drive cross-functional initiatives, directly influencing the company’s long-term growth and industry leadership. This role will also be responsible for creating, nurturing and driving ongoing engagement of the inaugural LabCentral Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), comprising Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) from across the biotech and techbio industry to increase LabCentral’s connectivity and influence in the ecosystem.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Develop and articulate a compelling scientific and business vision that ties LabCentral’s mission with evolving industry trends, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and board directives. Lead the development and execution of long-term scientific and strategic plans, translating complex scientific opportunities into actionable business strategies that drive sustainable growth and market leadership. Develop strategies and plans that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into our core set of offerings to our resident community through partnerships, programming, and operations. Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, providing expert guidance on R&D priorities, innovation pipelines, and strategic investments.
• Industry Partnerships & Ecosystem Development: Create and set governance for the Science Advisory Board (SAB), utilizing existing connections in industry to develop a highly impactful new stakeholder group that will help shape the future of LabCentral. Represent LabCentral as a thought leader at major industry events, panels, and in the media, enhancing the organization’s reputation and influence within the global life sciences community. Oversee the evaluation, negotiation, and execution of high-value partnerships, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, ensuring alignment with LabCentral’s strategic objectives and value creation goals. Collaborate with LabCentral’s Partnerships and Lab Operations teams to support existing sponsor relationships. Develop new external relationships with local organizations (e.g., academic tech transfer offices and local scientific core facilities) to benefit our resident companies.
• Scientific Excellence & Operational Oversight: Oversee the provisioning and continuous enhancement of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, equipment, and shared resources, ensuring an optimal environment that meets the evolving needs of resident companies. Foster a culture of scientific collaboration, knowledge sharing, and operational excellence by facilitating access to advanced technologies, expert networks, and supportive programming that empower early-stage startups to accelerate their innovation and growth. Provide leadership on the role of AI in life science innovation to shape LabCentral’s offerings. Intentionally connect with resident company scientists and CSOs to better understand the scientific needs of our residents and the broader community and translate these insights into programming and partnerships. Leverage data analytics, market intelligence, and industry foresight to inform strategic decisions and anticipate emerging opportunities and risks. Lead financial planning for scientific initiatives, including budgeting, resource allocation, and ROI analysis, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal responsibility. Report regularly to senior leadership and stakeholders on strategy execution, partnership performance, and scientific impact, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Desired qualifications:

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in life sciences, biotech, or related sectors, including executive-level responsibility for scientific strategy and partnerships.
• PhD. or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline; MBA or advanced business training is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of AI and its application in life sciences innovation.
• Demonstrated success in leading large, complex scientific organizations or innovation hubs, with a track record of delivering transformative results through strategic vision and execution.
• Deep expertise in business strategy, financial acumen, and operational excellence, with the ability to bridge scientific and commercial objectives.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, including public speaking and media engagement.
• Commitment to ethical leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.

Desired Competencies:

• Visionary and strategic thinker, able to anticipate and capitalize on industry shifts.
• Inspiring leader with proven ability to build, mentor, and motivate high-performing teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and a willingness to innovate and take calculated risks.
• Unwavering integrity, resilience, and adaptability in fast-paced, dynamic environments.

Work environment: Fully onsite during regular business hours with the scheduled need for off hours availability. Ability to sit for long periods, ability to move around an office and lab environment, and ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds. Ability to commute between LabCentral sites.

What do we offer?

• Fully Covered Medical and Dental Premiums: We have you and your dependents covered, including deductible costs.
• Long and Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance: Life can be unexpected; we’ve got your back.
• Flexible Vacation: Enjoy the flexibility to take the time you need.
• Three Months Fully Paid Parental Leave: We’ll help support you during life's important moments.
• 401K Match Up to 6% with Immediate Vestment: Know your future is secure with our 401K match.
• Transportation Reimbursements: We’ll cover commuting costs for a parking pass, MBTA, or bike maintenance so you can get to work hassle-free.
• Health & Wellness: Relax and enjoy reimbursements for fitness, yoga, massage therapy, and other holistic health practices.
• Technology Stipend: To ensure you stay connected, we offer a monthly cell phone stipend as well as yearly reimbursements for cell phone repairs.
• Professional Growth: We offer a stipend for continuing education and training to invest in your career growth, and we help ease the burden of student loans by providing reimbursement.
• Fantastic Work Environment: Be inspired by colleagues and residents, and work in vibrant spaces that are stocked with a variety of snacks. Plus, we offer in-house programming on thought-provoking and diverse topics!

Compensation: Our compensation philosophy is intentional and researched to align with average market salaries; comprehensive, generous benefits to support overall well-being; and parity with our existing and future team members. Below details the value of what our compensation package may look like, but specific details pertaining to an individual will vary. Salary range: $200k-265k along with the potential to earn a bonus of 20% based on company performance. Approximate monetary value of benefits (based off an individual – dependents increase value): $22,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer: LabCentral is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the city around us. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation, please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.