COO (path to CEO)

Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Path to CEO

_{Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Start-up — Strasbourg / Hybrid}

About the Company

Early-stage healthcare venture developing a novel regenerative therapy for orthopedic applications. The approach combines a proprietary medical device with stem cell-based technology. With clinical trial authorisation secured, the company is preparing for a redesigned Phase I trial that better demonstrates both clinical efficacy and commercial value.

Purpose of the Role

This leadership role is critical to the company’s future. The COO (with a near-term path to CEO) will drive fundraising, refine and lead the clinical strategy, and translate the current science into a compelling commercial and investor narrative. The ideal candidate brings a strong commercial mindset and experience guiding early-stage ventures through complex regulatory and fundraising landscapes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising & Investment Readiness (Top Priority)

• Develop and refine the investment case and story.

• Lead investor conversations and secure capital.

• Create investor-facing materials: pitch deck, business plan, data room.

2. Clinical & Commercial Strategy

• Redesign the clinical trial to demonstrate safety and superiority over existing solutions.

• Align clinical development with commercial goals.

• Engage with KOLs, clinicians, and early adopters to validate market relevance.

3. Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Establish scalable structures across finance, HR, and project management.

• Prepare the company for growth in manufacturing, clinical, and commercial areas.

• Lead budgeting, resource allocation, and planning aligned with development milestones.

4. Culture & Team Leadership

• Inspire and align a multidisciplinary team.

• Work closely with scientific leadership and external consultants.

• Foster a culture of execution, trust, and ambition.

 

Candidate Profile

Must-Haves

• Fundraising expertise: Successful capital raising in early-stage healthcare ventures.

• Clinical-commercial fluency: Able to guide trial design to meet both regulatory and market needs.

• Medtech or orthopedics background preferred by investors; cell therapy knowledge is a plus, but not essential.

Additional Qualities

• Experience in scaling operations and preparing companies for market entry.

• Strong interpersonal skills and credibility with both scientific and investor audiences.

• Comfort working hands-on in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment.

• Fluency in French and English.

• Willingness to spend significant time on-site in Strasbourg, especially during the early phase.

Practical Details

• Location: Strasbourg 

• Work Setup: Hybrid, with high initial on-site presence

• Compensation: Competitive early-stage base salary + milestone-based equity