Chief Operating Officer (COO)

BioInnovation Labs (BioLabs), established in 2009 and headquartered in Cambridge, MA, is the premier network of co-working spaces for life science startups. We are enabling innovation to make the world a better place through interaction with the smartest and most motivated people in the world. Through a rapidly growing network of global locations (currently 11 in the US and 3 in Europe), our collaborative lab space model is uniquely designed for scientific entrepreneurs to test, develop, grow, and commercialize their game-changing ideas. Each location supports entrepreneurial scientists with premium, fully equipped, and supported laboratory and office spaces, alongside unparalleled access to capital and industry.

Summary

Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for translating BioLabs’ vision into operational excellence across a global footprint. This role provides strategic oversight of site and lab operations, as well as organizational growth initiatives across diverse regions. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, forward-thinking leader of people, with a demonstrated ability to scale operations, foster cross-sector partnerships, and elevate the BioLabs experience for resident innovators and partners alike.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Shape and execute BioLabs’ long-term operational strategy, ensuring scalable systems and consistent excellence across all global sites and service areas.
• Executive Team Management: Lead and mentor Site Heads and regional leaders to drive a high-performing, mission-aligned culture across geographies.
• Financial Stewardship: Own departmental budgeting, P&L accountability, and resource allocation across the parent company and its subsidiaries to support sustainable growth.
• External Relations: Cultivate strategic partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen BioLabs’ innovation ecosystem.
• Growth Strategy: Act as a key advisor on high-impact initiatives—including investor relations, new site development, and partnership opportunities—to drive BioLabs’ continued expansion.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee key business rhythms, including OKRs and cross-functional collaboration, to optimize member experience and site operations.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage analytics and performance metrics to identify opportunities for cost optimization, service enhancement, and efficiency gains.
• Process Innovation: Continuously evaluate and enhance core operational systems and workflows to support agility and resilience across the network.
• Program Oversight: Lead the execution of global and regional strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with company priorities and successful outcomes.
• Sponsor Relationship Management: Build and maintain strategic relationships with pharmaceutical sponsors and ensure effective fulfillment across sites.
• Other Leadership Functions: Support organizational priorities and evolving business needs as directed by the CEO.
  
  

Qualifications

• Experience: 10–15 years of executive-level experience, with a proven track record managing remote teams across multiple time zones and international geographies.
• Industry Background: Prior experience in a start-up environment, preferably in biotech, life sciences, or tech—is highly desirable.
• Leadership Style: A hands-on, people-facing leader who is results-driven, detail-oriented, and capable of motivating teams.
• Execution & Strategy: Strong ability to translate vision into action and effectively collaborate across all organizational levels.
• Decision-Making: Confident in making timely decisions while valuing input from team members and stakeholders.
• Operational Excellence: Skilled at building scalable systems and developing procedures from complex, unstructured processes.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; a scientific background is a plus.
• Flexibility: Willingness to attend occasional off-hours events and travel nationally and internationally as needed.
  
  

BioLabs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.