Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup

Are you a visionary leader with deep expertise in medical devices and breakthrough healthcare innovation? We are seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a rapidly growing cardiovascular device startup headquartered in Minneapolis, MN—America’s leading medtech hub. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape clinical strategy, drive regulatory and commercial pathways, and guide a transformative product to market. If you excel in high-stakes environments, thrive in bringing life-saving technologies to patients, and have a passion for scaling healthcare startups, this position is for you.

Lead a High-Impact MedTech Startup in Minneapolis

A cutting-edge cardiovascular device startup in Minneapolis, MN is searching for an accomplished Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to steer its next stage of growth and innovation. The ideal candidate will bring substantial medtech leadership experience, strong clinical and regulatory insight, and a proven record of guiding medical technologies from concept to commercialization. If you are driven by scientific excellence, operational precision, and the opportunity to revolutionize cardiovascular care, this is your chance to make a defining impact in the medical device industry.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Develop and execute a forward-looking strategy that aligns with the company’s mission to bring breakthrough cardiovascular technology to market. Lead long-term planning, set clear organizational goals, and drive innovation in a rapidly evolving medtech landscape.

Product Development & Commercialization

Oversee the full lifecycle of the cardiovascular device—from R&D and clinical validation to regulatory approval and commercialization. Ensure the product roadmap is aligned with clinical needs, market trends, and competitive positioning.

Regulatory & Clinical Oversight

Collaborate closely with regulatory, clinical, and quality teams to navigate FDA submissions, clinical trials, and post-market obligations. Maintain strict adherence to medical device regulations, patient safety standards, and ethical practices.

Operational Excellence

Establish scalable processes across engineering, clinical affairs, manufacturing, and commercial functions. Implement operational best practices to maximize efficiency, product quality, and cross-functional collaboration within a fast-paced startup environment.

Fundraising & Financial Leadership

Drive financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting in partnership with investors and the finance team. Lead fundraising efforts, secure capital for growth, and manage resources to ensure sustainable financial health.

Market Growth & Commercial Strategy

Identify market opportunities in the cardiovascular sector, shape go-to-market strategies, and build commercial pathways for product adoption. Develop partnerships with hospitals, cardiac centers, surgeons, and key opinion leaders to expand market penetration.

Team Leadership & Culture Development

Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, mission-driven team. Cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and patient-first values.

Stakeholder, Board & Investor Relations

Serve as the primary liaison to the board, investors, and strategic partners. Deliver transparent updates, data-driven insights, and milestone progress to maintain trust, secure continued support, and guide long-term vision.

Clinical & Customer Insight Integration

Leverage physician feedback, clinical data, and market research to inform product enhancements and commercialization strategies. Champion a deep understanding of the clinical environment, unmet cardiac needs, and user experience.

Manufacturing, Quality & Supply Chain Management

Ensure robust manufacturing processes that meet FDA, ISO, and quality standards. Guide supplier relationships, production planning, and logistics to support scale-up and maintain device reliability and consistency.

Risk Management & Compliance

Identify and mitigate regulatory, operational, and financial risks. Uphold compliance with medical device regulations, clinical trial requirements, corporate governance, and ethical standards.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup, the client is seeking an exceptional leader with deep experience in the medical device ecosystem—particularly in cardiovascular innovation. You should bring a blend of strategic vision, scientific understanding, and commercial execution, with the ability to scale a device startup from early development through commercialization.

Proven Leadership in the Medical Device Industry

The ideal candidate has extensive experience leading medtech organizations, ideally within cardiovascular, implantable, interventional, or Class II/III device categories. You should have a strong track record in guiding companies through clinical trials, FDA approvals, product launches, and commercial scaling in the healthcare sector.

Strategic Thinker with a Vision for Growth

You must bring the ability to craft and execute long-term strategies that successfully navigate R&D milestones, regulatory pathways, and commercial challenges. The client values leaders who can anticipate shifts in clinical practice, identify high-impact opportunities, and position the company for long-term success in the competitive cardiovascular market.

Strong Financial & Fundraising Acumen

A deep understanding of financial management—budgeting, capital allocation, forecasting—is essential. Experience securing funding from venture capital firms, strategic investors, and healthcare partners is highly valued. You should be adept at making data-driven decisions that support sustainable growth and maximize investor returns.

Ability to Build and Lead High-Performing Teams

Leadership is central to this role. The client seeks a CEO who can attract, develop, and retain top engineering, clinical, regulatory, and commercial talent. You should foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability in a mission-driven startup environment.

Deep Clinical & Customer Insight

A strong understanding of physician needs, hospital purchasing dynamics, and patient-centric design is crucial. You should be skilled at translating clinical feedback and market insights into actionable product strategies that improve outcomes and increase adoption.

Strong Stakeholder & Investor Relations

The client seeks a CEO who can confidently engage with board members, clinicians, investors, and strategic partners. Your ability to communicate clearly, present measurable progress, and build long-term trust will be essential to securing continued support.

Commitment to Regulatory Excellence & Compliance

You must have a solid understanding of FDA regulations, clinical trial processes, ISO standards, and quality systems. The client values a leader who prioritizes compliance, patient safety, and ethical conduct at every stage of development and commercialization.

FAQs About the Role – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup

1. What are the key responsibilities of the CEO in this role?

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, clinical and regulatory success, and overall commercial growth of a cardiovascular device startup. Your responsibilities include overseeing product development, guiding FDA and clinical trial processes, managing operational excellence, and ensuring strong financial performance. You will also lead fundraising efforts, build high-performing teams, and engage closely with investors, board members, clinicians, and strategic partners to accelerate market adoption and long-term business success.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?

The ideal candidate should have extensive leadership experience in the medical device industry, preferably within cardiovascular, interventional, implantable, or Class II/III device categories. A strong background in navigating FDA regulations, leading clinical trials, managing R&D-to-commercialization pipelines, and scaling medtech startups is highly valued. Experience in fundraising, financial planning, and strategic partnerships is essential. An advanced degree in engineering, life sciences, business, or a related field (MBA or MS) is preferred but not mandatory.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for this role?

The client is seeking a visionary, results-oriented leader with exceptional strategic thinking, decision-making ability, and clinical understanding. You must be able to inspire cross-functional teams, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and navigate high-stakes environments. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, financial acumen, and a patient-first mindset are crucial. The ability to build trust with clinicians, investors, and regulatory bodies is also highly valued.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?

As a CEO in the medtech startup environment, key challenges may include navigating complex regulatory pathways, securing necessary funding, managing clinical trial timelines, and ensuring product safety and quality. You may also face competitive market pressures, evolving clinical expectations, and the complexities of scaling manufacturing and commercialization. Balancing innovation speed with compliance, risk management, and capital efficiency will be essential to success.

5. What is the expected impact of the CEO on the company’s growth?

The CEO will play a critical role in accelerating device development, driving regulatory milestones, and positioning the company for commercial success. Your leadership will directly influence market penetration, investor confidence, clinical adoption, and long-term valuation. The CEO is expected to transform a promising cardiovascular device technology into a market-ready, commercially viable product.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?

The company fosters a mission-driven, collaborative, and fast-paced startup culture focused on improving patient outcomes. They value innovation, scientific excellence, transparency, and teamwork. As CEO, you will have the opportunity to shape and strengthen the company’s culture while building a high-performance organization aligned with its clinical and commercial goals.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup in Minneapolis, MN, you can expect a competitive compensation package designed to attract top-tier medtech leadership talent. Compensation for medical device startup CEOs varies based on company stage, funding level, technology maturity, and investor expectations. A typical package includes:

1. Base Salary

The base salary for CEOs in early- to mid-stage medical device startups generally ranges from $250,000 to $450,000 annually, depending on company size and development stage. More mature or well-funded companies may offer higher base salaries.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses

Beyond the base salary, most medtech CEOs receive performance-based bonuses tied to clinical milestones, regulatory approvals, fundraising success, product development progress, and commercial performance. These bonuses typically range from 25% to 75% of the base salary, depending on KPIs and company stage.

3. Equity & Stock Options

Equity is often a significant part of CEO compensation in a startup environment. Packages may include stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or other equity grants ranging from 2% to 8% ownership, depending on company valuation, stage, and fundraising history. This aligns executive incentives with long-term company growth and investor return.

4. Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)

Some startups, especially those backed by venture capital or strategic investors, offer LTIPs based on multi-year performance milestones such as successful FDA approvals, commercialization, or exit events (M&A or IPO). These can significantly enhance total compensation value.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks

Medical device CEOs often receive comprehensive executive benefits, including:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plans with employer contributions
Executive disability and life insurance
Travel and business expense allowances
Continuing education or professional development support
Executive wellness and health programs

6. Signing Bonuses & Relocation Assistance

For highly qualified candidates, companies may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance—especially relevant for candidates moving to Minneapolis, a major U.S. medtech hub. These incentives can range from $25,000 to $200,000, depending on company resources and candidate background.

Total Compensation Potential

When combining base salary, bonuses, equity, and long-term incentives, total compensation for a CEO in a cardiovascular device startup can range from $500,000 to several million dollars annually, particularly if equity appreciates through future investment rounds, commercialization success, or a strategic exit.

How to Apply

If you are a visionary, mission-driven leader with a proven track record in the medical device industry—particularly within cardiovascular or interventional technologies—we invite you to apply for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup role in Minneapolis, MN. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-impact medtech company, drive clinical and regulatory success, and accelerate the commercial launch of an innovative cardiovascular device.

To apply, please submit your resume along with a detailed cover letter outlining your experience in medical device leadership, regulatory navigation, clinical trial oversight, fundraising, and commercialization strategy. Highlight your ability to guide R&D teams, build investor confidence, achieve FDA milestones, and scale early-stage technologies into commercially viable medical products. Emphasize your leadership style, strategic thinking, and passion for improving patient outcomes through breakthrough cardiovascular innovation.

This role offers a transformative career opportunity where you will shape the company’s future, lead mission-critical development efforts, and bring life-saving technology to patients worldwide. Apply today to take the next step in your executive medtech career as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Cardiovascular Device Startup – Minneapolis, MN!

For more information or to explore similar leadership opportunities, visit our Medical Device CEO and President Executive Search Firm Page.

Tags:

Job Category: Medical Device CEO and President

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Minneapolis