Chief Scientific and Impact Officer
13 days ago
New York
Job Description Job Description Date Written: Jul 29, 2025 Job Title: Chief Scientific and Impact Officer Location: Remote Department: Research & Development Reports to: CEO Wage Category: Exempt About CTF The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) is not a traditional research foundation. We operate as a patient-centered drug discovery engine for NF, a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves affecting 1 in 2,000 individuals. We operate by accelerating the full continuum of scientific discovery, from basic research through translation to clinical trials and approved treatments — while empowering patients and building the financial infrastructure to support that journey. We catalyze progress by uniting academia, industry, regulators, and patient advocates around shared goals. General Summary The Chief Scientific & Impact Officer (CSIO) reports to the CEO and is a strategic partner of the Executive Leadership Team. The CSIO will lead CTF’s research portfolio and drive partnerships that convert scientific breakthroughs into real-world therapies. TThe CSIO will manage a multidisciplinary team covering basic science, translational development, clinical strategy, and therapeutic scouting. The ideal candidate will not only understand science but will also bring a business development mindset to scientific innovation. The CSIO will identify opportunities, de-risking assets, and build collaborations that scale our impact. This role sits at the intersection of R&D strategy, translational execution, stakeholder alignment, and market-savvy decision-making. The CSIO will help steer CTF’s research pipeline and its financial pipeline including philanthropic funding to venture partnerships and commercial exits. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Strategic & Scientific Leadership * Lead the design and execution of an integrated research strategy spanning basic science, translation, clinical trials, and therapeutic repurposing or repositioning. * Oversee and coach a high-performing team of direct reports leading core scientific domains. * Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and Board on scientific and translational investment decisions. Business Development & Strategic Partnerships * Proactively identify, evaluate, and pursue high-impact partnership opportunities with biotech, pharma, CROs, investors, and academic institutions. * Support due diligence and asset triage, including shelved, preclinical, and early-stage therapeutic candidates. * Develop and structure public-private collaborations and co-funding mechanisms to drive therapeutic progress and leverage CTF capital. * In conjunction with the CEO build sustainable financial models for future CTF initiatives, including venture philanthropy, risk-sharing agreements, and translational consortia. * Build and oversee the financial budget for research, preclinical and clinical development, and key scientific activities. Stakeholder Engagement & Ecosystem Building * Act as a trusted convener across the research ecosystem including but not limited to regulators and researchers to investors and advocates. * Represent CTF in platform trials, biomarker programs, and international R&D alliances. * Maintain CTF’s neutral, non-conflicted role as an honest broker and trusted partner. Communication of Impact * Translate complex scientific programs into clear, outcomes-driven narratives for funders, partners, policymakers, and patients. * Demonstrate and quantify the return on CTF’s research investments — in terms of both patient outcomes and leveraged funding. * Represent CTF and its programs to medical and regulatory communities and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry collaborators and partners, i.e. conferences, etc. Minimum Qualifications * Advanced degree (MD, PhD, or equivalent) in a biomedical field. * Significant leadership experience in biomedical R&D, ideally with exposure to both academic and industry environments. * Demonstrated experience in business development, licensing, strategic partnerships, or venture/scientific investment in rare diseases, oncology, or translational science. * Proven ability to work across scientific, financial, and operational domains to deliver outcomes. * Strong people leader with a track record of managing diverse, high-impact teams. * Deep understanding of the therapeutic development lifecycle, including biomarker discovery, regulatory interaction, and commercialization pathways. * Comfort navigating ambiguity and balancing scientific rigor with entrepreneurial agility. * Highly collaborative and diplomatic, with exceptional communication skills and executive presence. * Passion for patient-centered innovation and mission-driven work. * Strategic and innovative thinker with proven ability to communicate a vision and drive results. * Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, including policymakers, patients, and donors. * Demonstrated ability to secure and manage research funding. * Leadership experience, including managing teams and cross-sector collaborations. * Deep commitment to rare disease research and patient advocacy. * Experience working with the FDA, NIH, and regulatory agencies on rare disease policies and funding is a plus. Responsible for setting objectives and priorities for the Medical Advisory Boards in collaboration with the CTF Europe CSO and CTF CEO. * Lead efforts to secure research funding, including NIH, FDA, and philanthropic grants. .WORKING CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT USED AND SPECIAL INFORMATION The CSO must have unimpeachable integrity and trustworthiness, while possessing a high degree of tact, discretion and professionalism. Maintain effectiveness under pressure. Flexible for moderate overnight business travel which may include weekends. DISCLAIMER The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. They are not intended to be considered an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Equal Employment Opportunity CTF and ADP provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all Foundation facilities without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation under applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.