Role Overview for CCO, Surgical Robotics – San Diego, CA
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to identify a transformative Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for a pioneering, venture-backed surgical robotics company based in the vibrant life sciences hub of San Diego, CA. This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a company poised to redefine the standard of care in surgery. Our client is developing a next-generation robotic platform that promises enhanced precision, improved patient outcomes, and greater accessibility for surgeons and hospitals worldwide.
As the CCO, you will be the primary architect and driver of the company’s global commercial strategy, responsible for building a world-class commercial organization from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will have complete ownership of sales, marketing, market access, customer success, and business development. You will be instrumental in navigating the journey from clinical validation to full commercial launch and subsequent market leadership. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a proven track record of scaling commercial operations within the medical device, specifically capital equipment or surgical robotics, sector. You are not just a strategist; you are a hands-on builder who thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment and is passionate about bringing disruptive technologies to market that make a tangible impact on human health.
This role demands a unique blend of strategic acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and inspirational leadership. You will be responsible for crafting the narrative, building the brand, and driving the revenue engine that will fuel the company’s long-term growth and success. Your work will directly contribute to the adoption of groundbreaking advancements in minimally invasive surgery, ultimately benefiting millions of patients. If you are a results-oriented commercial executive ready to build a legacy in the surgical robotics space, we invite you to apply for this career-defining role.
Key Responsibilities of CCO, Surgical Robotics – San Diego, CA
The Chief Commercial Officer will be tasked with a broad range of critical responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Global Commercial Strategy Development
Design, articulate, and execute a comprehensive global commercialization strategy that aligns with the company’s overall strategic objectives. This includes market sizing, segmentation, targeting, pricing, and positioning for the company’s robotic platform and associated instruments.
Leadership & Team Building
Recruit, train, and lead a high-performance, cross-functional commercial team encompassing sales, marketing, market access, training, and customer support. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
Revenue Growth & Sales Execution
Develop and implement aggressive sales plans to achieve and exceed revenue targets. Establish robust sales processes, forecasting accuracy, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and drive performance. Build and manage direct sales channels and explore strategic distributor partnerships.
Marketing & Brand Management
Spearhead all marketing initiatives to build a powerful global brand. Oversee product marketing, corporate communications, digital strategy, public relations, and presence at key industry congresses. Drive the successful launch of new products and indications.
Market Access & Reimbursement
Develop and execute sophisticated strategies to secure favorable reimbursement and market access from both government and private payers globally. Build a compelling health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) value proposition.
Key Opinion Leader (KOL) & Customer Engagement
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with surgical KOLs, academic institutions, and key hospital system executives. Champion a deeply customer-centric approach throughout the organization to ensure exceptional customer experience and loyalty.
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Identify, evaluate, and pursue strategic partnerships, alliances, and other business development opportunities that accelerate commercial growth and expand market presence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key member of the executive team, working in close partnership with R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, and Operations to provide market insights that inform product development, clinical trial design, and lifecycle management.
Financial & Operational Oversight
Develop and manage the commercial budget with a focus on ROI. Provide regular, transparent updates to the CEO and Board of Directors on commercial progress, market dynamics, and strategic initiatives.
Requirements for the CCO, Surgical Robotics – San Diego, CA
We are seeking a candidate with a distinguished career and a specific set of skills and experiences to ensure success in this pivotal role:
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive commercial leadership experience within the medical device industry, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role (e.g., CCO, VP of Sales & Marketing).
Industry-Specific Expertise
Direct and extensive experience in the commercialization of complex medical capital equipment is essential. Experience within the surgical robotics, surgical navigation, or advanced surgical instrumentation markets is highly desirable.
Proven Track Record of Success
Demonstrable history of successfully launching disruptive medical technologies and scaling a commercial organization from an early stage to significant revenue and market share. Must be able to provide clear examples of building teams, processes, and strategies that led to exceptional growth.
Market Access Acumen
Deep understanding of global healthcare systems, including reimbursement pathways, health economics, and value-based healthcare models. Proven success in developing and executing market access strategies is critical.
Global Perspective
Experience in developing and managing both U.S. and international (OUS) commercial operations, including direct and indirect sales channels.
Leadership Qualities
An inspirational and charismatic leader with a proven ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Must possess exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus among diverse stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.
Strategic & Analytical Mindset
Strong strategic thinking capabilities combined with a data-driven, analytical approach to decision-making. Ability to translate complex market data into actionable commercial strategies.
Personal Attributes
An entrepreneurial and agile mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and the dynamic nature of a high-growth startup environment. Possesses high integrity, a strong work ethic, and a passion for the company’s mission. Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 30-40%).
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary, an aggressive annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity stake in the company, providing meaningful long-term wealth creation potential.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents, along with wellness programs and a flexible spending account (FSA).
Retirement Planning
A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and company-paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the ideal candidate to facilitate a smooth transition to the beautiful San Diego area.
Professional Development
A commitment to your ongoing growth with opportunities for professional development, executive coaching, and attendance at key industry events.
Impactful Work
The opportunity to be a foundational leader in a mission-driven company that is poised to make a significant and lasting impact on the future of surgery and patient care.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm for this confidential Chief Commercial Officer position. We are seeking a truly exceptional leader to help build a category-defining company. If you have the required experience and are motivated by the opportunity to shape the future of surgical robotics, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. To learn more about our expertise in this space, please visit our Surgical Robotics Executive Recruiters practice area. We look forward to reviewing your application.
