JRG Partners is proud to partner with a pioneering Clinical Research Organization (CRO) at the forefront of medical innovation. Our client is dedicated to accelerating the development of life-saving therapies through cutting-edge technology and scientific expertise. Based in the vibrant Research Triangle Park area of Raleigh, NC, they are seeking a transformative executive to join their leadership team. We are looking for a visionary and strategic Chief Product Officer (CPO) to define, lead, and execute the company’s global product vision. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of clinical trials, impact global health outcomes, and lead a world-class product organization in one of the most dynamic sectors of the healthcare industry.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned product leader with a deep understanding of the life sciences landscape, particularly within the CRO, pharmaceutical, or biotech sectors. You are not just a manager; you are a builder, an innovator, and a strategist who can translate complex clinical and operational needs into a compelling and scalable product portfolio. You will be responsible for the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization and strategic planning to launch and post-launch performance analysis. As a key member of the executive team, you will collaborate closely with leaders across Engineering, Clinical Operations, Business Development, and Regulatory Affairs to ensure our product suite not only meets but anticipates the evolving needs of our clients and the industry. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex challenges in drug development and have a proven track record of building and scaling successful product teams, we invite you to apply for this career-defining role.
Role Overview for Chief Product Officer with a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) – Raleigh, NC
The Chief Product Officer (CPO) is a critical executive leadership role responsible for the overarching product strategy, vision, and execution for our client’s entire portfolio of technology solutions. This individual will serve as the central hub for product innovation, steering the company towards a future where technology seamlessly enhances the efficiency, quality, and speed of clinical trials. You will be the ultimate owner of the product roadmap, ensuring it aligns with the company’s strategic goals, financial targets, and long-term growth ambitions. This role demands a unique blend of deep industry knowledge, technological savvy, business acumen, and inspirational leadership.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the CPO will lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of product managers, UX/UI designers, and product analysts. You will be tasked with fostering a culture of excellence, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement. Your leadership will be instrumental in transforming market insights and customer feedback into tangible product features and new product lines that deliver significant value. This includes overseeing the development of platforms related to Electronic Data Capture (EDC), Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), ePRO/eCOA, randomization and trial supply management (RTSM), and advanced data analytics. You will be the chief advocate for the product both internally and externally, articulating its value proposition to clients, partners, investors, and the broader market. Success in this role will be measured by product adoption, customer satisfaction, revenue growth, and the strategic impact of the product portfolio on the company’s market position.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Product Officer with a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) – Raleigh, NC
Product Vision and Strategy
Define and champion a clear, compelling, and long-term product vision that aligns with the company’s mission. Develop and maintain a strategic, multi-year product roadmap that prioritizes initiatives based on business value, customer impact, and market opportunity.
Market and Competitive Analysis
Conduct continuous, in-depth analysis of the market landscape, emerging industry trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes to identify new opportunities and potential threats. Translate these insights into actionable product strategies.
Leadership and Team Development
Build, lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performance product management organization. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and data-driven culture. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and empower team members to achieve excellence.
Product Lifecycle Management
Oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation, requirements gathering, and design to development, launch, and end-of-life. Implement and refine agile product development processes to improve velocity and quality.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key partner to the executive team. Work intimately with Engineering to ensure feasible and timely product delivery, with Sales and Marketing to craft effective go-to-market strategies, and with Clinical Operations to ensure products meet the rigorous demands of real-world trials.
Customer Advocacy
Act as the primary voice of the customer within the organization. Establish robust feedback loops through client advisory boards, user groups, and direct engagement to deeply understand user needs, pain points, and workflows.
Technology and Innovation
Drive innovation by identifying and championing the integration of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics, to create next-generation clinical trial solutions that provide a competitive advantage.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure all product development activities and final products adhere to stringent global regulatory standards, including FDA 21 CFR Part 11, GDPR, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
Financial Management and KPIs
Develop and manage the product budget. Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as customer acquisition, user engagement, churn rates, and product profitability to measure success and inform strategic decisions.
Go-to-Market Execution
Partner with the marketing and business development teams to define product positioning, messaging, and pricing. Oversee the creation of sales enablement materials and support major client engagements and presentations.
Requirements for the Chief Product Officer with a Clinical Research Organization (CRO) – Raleigh, NC
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in product management, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., VP of Product, Head of Product, CPO) overseeing enterprise-level software products.
Industry Expertise
Deep and demonstrable experience within the life sciences sector is mandatory. Specific experience in a CRO, pharmaceutical company, or a clinical technology vendor is strongly preferred.
Technical Acumen
Strong understanding of modern software development principles, SaaS business models, and data-driven product management. Familiarity with technologies prevalent in clinical research (EDC, CTMS, eCOA, etc.) is essential.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly desirable.
Proven Leadership
A demonstrated track record of building and leading successful product teams, driving organizational change, and delivering market-leading products from concept to launch.
Strategic Thinker
Ability to think strategically at a macro level while also being able to dive deep into the details of product features and user experience.
Exceptional Communicator
Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate a complex product vision to a wide range of audiences, from engineers to C-level executives and customers.
Data-Driven Decision Maker
A strong analytical mindset with a history of using data and metrics to inform product strategy, prioritize roadmaps, and measure success.
Location
Ability to work from the Raleigh, NC office in a hybrid capacity. A comprehensive relocation package is available for the ideal candidate.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A lucrative base salary complemented by a significant performance-based annual bonus and a meaningful equity stake in the company.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and paid company holidays.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for professional development, including conferences, certifications, and executive coaching.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package to assist with your move to the vibrant Raleigh-Durham area.
Innovative Culture
The opportunity to work in a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven environment where your contributions directly impact the future of medicine.
How to Apply
This is a retained search exclusively managed by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary product leader ready to make a significant impact on the future of clinical research, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and strategic vision for this role.
To learn more about our expertise in this domain and to discuss this opportunity in confidence, please connect with one of the consultants on our specialized Healthcare & Life Sciences executive search team. We look forward to reviewing your application.
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.
