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# Chief Innovation Officer – San Francisco, CA


Role Overview for Chief Innovation Officer – San Francisco, CA
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search on behalf of our client, a pioneering and market-leading medical device company based in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco, CA. We are seeking a visionary and transformative Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a career-defining opportunity to steer the technological and product direction of a company dedicated to improving patient outcomes through groundbreaking medical solutions.
The CIO will be the primary architect of the company’s innovation engine, responsible for cultivating a culture of creativity, driving the research and development pipeline, and translating visionary ideas into commercially successful, life-changing products. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be instrumental in defining and executing a long-term innovation strategy that solidifies the company’s position as an industry leader and propels it into new frontiers of healthcare technology.
This role demands a unique blend of scientific and engineering prowess, strategic business acumen, and inspirational leadership. You will be tasked with looking beyond the horizon to identify emerging technological trends, unmet clinical needs, and disruptive opportunities that will shape the future of medicine. Your leadership will directly impact the company’s growth, competitive advantage, and its ultimate mission to deliver superior medical devices to patients and clinicians worldwide.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Innovation Officer – San Francisco, CA
As the Chief Innovation Officer, you will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, overseeing the entire innovation lifecycle. Your duties will be strategic, operational, and collaborative, ensuring that the company’s R&D efforts are aligned with its overarching business objectives. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to build a robust product pipeline, foster a high-performing R&D organization, and deliver a strong return on innovation investment.
Strategic Innovation and Portfolio Management:

Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive, long-range innovation and technology roadmap that aligns with the company’s strategic goals and market opportunities.
Lead the strategic planning process for technology development and new product introductions, ensuring a balanced portfolio of short-term wins and long-term, game-changing initiatives.
Conduct continuous market surveillance, technology scouting, and competitive intelligence to identify new threats, opportunities, and potential strategic partnerships or acquisitions.

Research & Development Leadership:

Provide executive oversight for all R&D activities, from early-stage research and conceptualization to product design, development, verification, and validation.
Champion a culture of excellence, accountability, and disciplined execution within the R&D organization, implementing best practices for project management and product development.
Manage the R&D budget, ensuring efficient allocation of capital, resources, and personnel to maximize productivity and innovation output.
Ensure all product development activities adhere to strict design controls and quality management systems (e.g., ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820) and comply with global regulatory requirements, including those from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Team Leadership and Organizational Development:

Lead, mentor, and inspire a world-class, multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff. Foster a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive environment that encourages creative thinking and risk-taking.
Attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent, building a deep bench of future leaders within the R&D organization.
Establish clear performance metrics and development plans for the innovation team, promoting professional growth and continuous learning.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and External Relations:

Serve as a key member of the executive team, collaborating closely with leaders in Marketing, Sales, Clinical Affairs, Regulatory, and Operations to ensure seamless product launches and lifecycle management.
Act as the company’s lead technology evangelist, building and maintaining strong relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs), academic institutions, research centers, and industry partners.
Drive the intellectual property strategy, working with legal counsel to build and defend a robust patent portfolio that protects the company’s innovations and provides a competitive advantage.

Requirements for the Chief Innovation Officer – San Francisco, CA
The ideal candidate is a seasoned and accomplished leader with a demonstrated history of driving innovation and delivering results within the medical device sector. You must possess a deep technical understanding, coupled with the strategic vision and executive presence necessary to lead at the highest level of the organization.
Required Qualifications:

An advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific field.
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in the medical device industry, with at least 7-10 years in a senior R&D leadership capacity (e.g., VP of R&D, CTO, Senior Director of Engineering).
A proven and verifiable track record of leading teams to successfully develop and commercialize multiple complex, regulated medical devices (PMA or 510(k) products).
Expert-level knowledge of the end-to-end product development process, including design controls, risk management (ISO 14971), and quality systems regulations.
Exceptional business and financial acumen, with experience developing business cases, managing large budgets, and contributing to corporate strategy.
Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire stakeholders at all levels, from the boardroom to the lab bench.

Preferred Qualifications:

An MBA or equivalent business education is highly desirable.
Experience across a diverse range of medical device technologies, such as implantables, surgical robotics, diagnostic imaging, or digital health platforms.
Experience in both large, multinational corporations and agile, high-growth startup environments.
A strong personal portfolio of issued patents and a history of peer-reviewed publications.
Demonstrated experience in forging strategic technology partnerships, licensing agreements, or M&A activities.

Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry and offers a comprehensive and highly competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of their employees.
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a substantial long-term equity incentive package (stock options or RSUs).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, a Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions, and access to top-tier mental health and wellness programs.
Retirement & Financial Planning
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company matching contribution, plus access to financial planning services.
Generous Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, in addition to company-paid holidays and extended parental leave.
Professional Growth
A dedicated annual budget for professional development, including executive coaching, industry conferences, technical workshops, and continuing education.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for exceptional candidates moving to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Work Environment
A state-of-the-art office and lab facility located in San Francisco, featuring collaborative workspaces, on-site amenities, and a culture that values innovation and teamwork.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to manage this critical executive search. We are seeking a leader who is not only qualified but who is also deeply passionate about leveraging technology to make a tangible difference in patients’ lives. If you are a transformative innovation leader with the experience and drive to lead a high-caliber R&D organization, we invite you to apply.
To express your interest in this opportunity, please submit your confidential resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and your vision for innovation in the medical device industry. To learn more about our specialized recruitment capabilities in this field, we invite you to explore our Medical Device Executive Search practice area. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality.