Role Overview for Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with a Diagnostics Firm – St. Louis, MO
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a pioneering, rapidly growing diagnostics firm in their search for a transformative Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Located in the vibrant life sciences hub of St. Louis, MO, our client is at the forefront of developing and commercializing innovative diagnostic solutions that have a profound impact on patient outcomes and the future of medicine. This is a rare opportunity for a visionary medical leader to join a dynamic executive team and shape the clinical and medical strategy of a company poised for significant growth and market leadership.
As the Chief Medical Officer, you will be the senior-most clinical leader in the organization, serving as the primary authority on all medical, clinical, and scientific matters. You will be responsible for providing the strategic direction, leadership, and expertise necessary to guide the company’s product pipeline from concept through to commercialization and post-market surveillance. This role requires a unique blend of scientific rigor, clinical acumen, regulatory savvy, and business-oriented strategic thinking. You will be the clinical conscience of the company, ensuring that patient safety and data integrity are paramount in every decision.
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned physician-executive with a proven track record in the diagnostics or medical device industry. You will be instrumental in building and scaling the medical affairs and clinical operations functions, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and urgency. Your leadership will directly influence the company’s ability to navigate complex regulatory pathways, generate compelling clinical evidence, and establish its products as the standard of care. This executive position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is a critical component of the company’s long-term success story. If you are a passionate leader driven to improve healthcare through cutting-edge diagnostics, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with a Diagnostics Firm – St. Louis, MO
The CMO will have a broad range of responsibilities, encompassing clinical development, medical affairs, regulatory strategy, and team leadership. Success in this role will be defined by your ability to expertly manage the following key areas:
Clinical Strategy & Development
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-range clinical vision and strategy that aligns with the company’s corporate objectives and commercial goals.
- Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of all clinical trials and validation studies, ensuring they are conducted with the highest standards of scientific rigor and in compliance with GCP, FDA regulations, and other global standards.
- Provide critical medical and scientific input into the entire product lifecycle, from early-stage R&D and target product profiling to post-market clinical follow-up.
- Author and review clinical sections of regulatory submissions, including Investigational Device Exemptions (IDEs), 510(k)s, De Novo requests, and Premarket Approvals (PMAs).
Medical Affairs & External Engagement
- Build and lead a world-class Medical Affairs organization responsible for evidence generation, scientific communications, and medical education.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), principal investigators, scientific advisors, and professional medical societies.
- Serve as the primary medical spokesperson for the company, effectively communicating clinical data and the value proposition of the company’s products to internal and external stakeholders, including investors, partners, and the medical community.
- Oversee the development of publications, abstracts, posters, and presentations for scientific congresses and peer-reviewed journals.
Regulatory & Quality Leadership
- Act as the lead medical expert in interactions with global regulatory authorities, including the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), and Notified Bodies.
- Provide medical oversight for all quality systems, risk management activities, and health hazard evaluations.
- Ensure patient safety is the top priority by leading pharmacovigilance and medical safety monitoring for all clinical studies and commercialized products.
Executive Leadership & Team Management
- Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to overall company strategy, business development activities, and corporate decision-making.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of medical and clinical professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
- Manage the departmental budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve strategic objectives.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in R&D, Commercial, Marketing, Quality, and Operations to ensure seamless product development and launch.
Requirements for the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with a Diagnostics Firm – St. Louis, MO
We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced professional who meets the following criteria:
Educational Background
- An M.D. or D.O. degree is required.
- Board certification in a relevant medical specialty (e.g., Pathology, Clinical Chemistry, Oncology, Infectious Disease) is highly preferred.
- An active medical license in at least one U.S. state is desirable.
- Advanced degrees such as an MBA, MPH, or Ph.D. are considered a significant plus.
Professional Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive clinical and medical experience, with at least 10 years within the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), medical device, or biopharmaceutical industry.
- A minimum of 7 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Vice President, Senior Medical Director) with direct management responsibility for clinical development and/or medical affairs teams.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully leading products through various stages of clinical development and regulatory review, particularly with the FDA.
- Hands-on experience in designing and executing clinical trials for diagnostic products is essential.
- Proven experience interacting with regulatory agencies and a deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape for diagnostics.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic Vision: Ability to think strategically and translate corporate goals into actionable clinical and medical plans.
Leadership
Exceptional leadership, team-building, and mentorship skills with a proven ability to inspire and motivate teams.
Communication
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific information clearly to diverse audiences.
Business Acumen
Strong understanding of the commercial aspects of the diagnostics industry.
Collaboration
A highly collaborative and cross-functional mindset, capable of building strong working relationships both internally and externally.
Integrity
Unquestionable personal and professional integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
A generous base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus.
Equity Participation
A substantial equity package (stock options or RSUs) to ensure you share in the long-term success of the company.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) plan with a strong company matching contribution.
Generous Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holiday policy.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate.
Professional Development
A budget for continuing medical education, conferences, and professional memberships.
Work-Life Balance
A commitment to a healthy and supportive work environment.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is exclusively managing this critical search. If you are a visionary medical leader with the experience and passion to drive clinical innovation in the diagnostics space, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your curriculum vitae and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a member of our dedicated Healthcare & Life Sciences executive search team for an initial discussion.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
