Role Overview for Chief Commercial Officer with a Gene Therapy Company – San Diego, CA
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to identify a visionary and transformative Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for our client, a pioneering, clinical-stage gene therapy company based in the vibrant biotech hub of San Diego, CA. This is a rare opportunity to join a well-funded, science-driven organization at a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory. The CCO will be a cornerstone of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and will be responsible for architecting and executing the global commercial strategy for the company’s groundbreaking pipeline of therapies.
Our client is dedicated to developing one-time, potentially curative treatments for patients suffering from severe and life-threatening genetic disorders. The successful candidate will be a mission-driven leader with a profound understanding of the rare disease and gene therapy landscape. You will be tasked with building a world-class commercial organization from the ground up, shaping the company’s commercial future, and ultimately ensuring that these life-changing therapies reach the patients who desperately need them. This role requires an entrepreneurial spirit, a deep well of experience in launching complex specialty drugs, and a passion for making a tangible impact on human health.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Commercial Officer with a Gene Therapy Company – San Diego, CA
The Chief Commercial Officer will have a broad and impactful remit, leading all aspects of the company’s commercialization efforts. Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Commercial Vision and Leadership
Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, long-term global commercial strategy that aligns with the company’s corporate objectives. Provide critical commercial insights to shape clinical development programs, target product profiles, and overall portfolio strategy. Lead market analysis, competitive intelligence, and long-range forecasting to inform strategic decision-making and business development opportunities.
Product Launch Excellence
Serve as the primary architect for the successful commercial launch of the company’s lead gene therapy assets in the United States and subsequent global markets. Develop and oversee the execution of integrated launch plans, encompassing market access, marketing, sales, and patient services. Establish robust metrics and KPIs to track launch performance and ensure accountability across the organization.
Global Market Access, Pricing, and Reimbursement
Design and implement innovative and aggressive market access strategies to secure optimal pricing, reimbursement, and patient access across diverse global healthcare systems. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key payers, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies, and policy influencers. Lead the development of compelling value propositions, supported by robust health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) data.
Marketing and Brand Management
Oversee the creation of a powerful and resonant global brand identity for the company and its products. Lead the development and execution of strategic marketing plans and promotional campaigns tailored to healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and patient advocacy groups. Champion a deeply patient-centric approach in all commercial messaging and initiatives.
Sales Organization Leadership and Operations
Build, train, mentor, and lead a high-performing, specialized sales organization focused on rare diseases. Define sales force structure, establish territories, set ambitious yet achievable sales targets, and implement effective sales operations, including CRM systems and performance analytics. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and unwavering ethical conduct within the sales team.
Executive Leadership and Team Development
Act as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to the overall corporate strategy, culture, and long-term success of the company. Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier talent across all commercial functions, including marketing, sales, market access, and commercial operations. Foster a dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented culture that attracts and inspires the best in the industry.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Alliance Management
Forge strong, collaborative partnerships with internal stakeholders, including the heads of R&D, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, and Manufacturing, to ensure seamless alignment and integration of commercial strategy across the organization. Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer on budgeting, forecasting, and P&L management for the commercial organization. Effectively manage relationships with external partners and alliances as needed.
Requirements for the Chief Commercial Officer with a Gene Therapy Company – San Diego, CA
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned biopharmaceutical executive with a proven track record of commercial success in the rare disease and/or gene therapy space. Qualifications include:
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, or a related field is required. An advanced degree, such as an MBA, PhD, PharmD, or MD, is highly preferred and will be a significant differentiator.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive commercial leadership experience within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry is required. The candidate must have at least 10 years of experience in senior leadership roles (e.g., Vice President, General Manager) with direct P&L responsibility.
Specialized Expertise
Direct, hands-on experience in the commercialization of gene therapies, cell therapies, or products for rare/orphan diseases is an absolute requirement. A proven track record of successfully leading the launch of novel, high-value, complex therapeutics in the US market is essential; global launch experience is highly desirable. Experience building a commercial organization from a pre-commercial or early-commercial stage is critically important.
Strategic and Analytical Acumen
The candidate must be a visionary leader with exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and long-term planning capabilities. Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific and clinical data into a compelling commercial strategy and value proposition. Strong financial acumen and experience managing significant budgets are required.
Leadership and Influence
Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Must possess outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus among a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, investors, and key opinion leaders.
Core Competencies
An entrepreneurial mindset with a high sense of urgency, adaptability, and a hands-on, ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ approach. A deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and the latest advancements in gene therapy is critical. The candidate must embody the highest level of personal and professional integrity and ethics.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier executive talent. This includes:
- A competitive base salary and significant performance-based annual bonus.
- A substantial equity stake in the company through stock options or RSUs, providing a meaningful opportunity for wealth creation.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees and their families.
- A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
- Generous paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid company holidays to support work-life balance.
- A comprehensive relocation assistance package for qualified candidates moving to the San Diego area.
- Support for professional development, including attendance at key industry conferences and continuing education programs.
- The opportunity to work within a dynamic, mission-driven culture alongside a team of passionate and brilliant colleagues dedicated to changing the course of medicine.
How to Apply
If you are a visionary commercial leader with the experience and passion to bring transformative gene therapies to patients in need, we strongly encourage you to apply for this career-defining opportunity. JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm for this critical executive hire.
To express your interest, please submit your resume and a detailed cover letter outlining your relevant experience for confidential consideration. To learn more about our dedicated focus in this sector, please visit our Life Sciences Executive Search practice page.
