Description

Women in Bio is a dynamic, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, individual membership association committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for all women in the life sciences. WIB fosters a supportive community through professional development programs, mentoring, networking events, and educational resources. With 14 chapters across North America, WIB connects, empowers, and advocates for women at all career stages in the biotechnology and life sciences industries. 

Position Overview: The Women In Bio Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a visionary, strategic, and results-oriented individual who will lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for WIB's staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. This executive will embody WIB's values, champion its mission externally, ensure financial sustainability, and foster a thriving organizational culture. This role requires dynamic leadership, exceptional relationship management skills, and a deep commitment to advancing women in the life sciences sector. The work of the WIB is carried out by a staff of 6 employees and is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors, on which the CEO sits as an ex-officio member. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

Requirements

 Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Vision 

• Collaborate with the Board to define and execute WIB’s strategic plan in 3 year cycles - with 2026 being a year to define the next 3-year cycle.
• Identify growth opportunities to expand impact, membership, and presence.
• Position WIB as a leading voice and resource for women in life sciences globally.

Organizational Management & Operations 

• Lead national staff and organizational operations across programs, membership, finance, marketing, HR, and technology. 
• Build highperforming teams and scalable operating systems. 
• Oversee budgeting, financial stewardship, and fiscal sustainability. 

External Relations & Revenue Development 

• Serve as WIB’s primary external ambassador and spokesperson. 
• Build corporate sponsorships, partnerships, and industry alliances. 
• Cultivate executive relationships across biotech, pharma, venture, and academia. 
• Key driver of diversified revenue growth including sponsorships, grants, and membership. 
• Oversees outside accounting firm in all financial management responsibilities. 
• Ensures WIB is in full compliance with all local, state, and federal rules governing corporate and program activities. 

Governance & Network Leadership 

• Establish and enforce chapter governance standards and operating frameworks. 
• Support and oversee chapter leader selection, onboarding, and succession planning aligned with organizational policies. 
• Monitor chapter performance, compliance, and strategic alignment. 
• Lead intervention or remediation when governance or conduct issues arise. 
• Protect organizational brand and culture across the chapter network. 
• Board Partnership & Effectiveness
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to shape strategic priorities with a respected voice, in a non-voting role
• Provide transparent updates on performance, risks, and organizational health.
• Support board effectiveness, committee engagement, and governance execution. 

Organizational Growth & Infrastructure 

• Lead scaling initiatives across systems, staffing, and programming. 
• Implement performance metrics across chapters and national programs. 
• Drive operational maturity for a multichapter national organization. 

Qualifications: 

Education 

• Bachelor's degree required 

Experience: 

• 10+ years of leadership experience in non-profit, life sciences, and/or membership organizations 
• Experience leading chapterbased or federated organizational models 
• Proven fundraising and corporate partnership development success 
• Strong financial and operational management experience 
• Track record navigating governance complexity and volunteer leadership structures and dynamics 
• Executive presence, strong communication, and stakeholder engagement skills 
• Strong staff management and interpersonal leadership skills 
• Comfort in a Google docs based environment 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Direct experience within the biotech, pharmaceutical, or broader life sciences 
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams and/or chapter-based organizations 
• Experience working within a membership-based organization 
• Established network within the life sciences community 
• Experience leading organizational change or transformation 

Travel Requirements 

Moderate travel (2-5 times per year, 1-4 nights away, domestic only) with an expectation to attend and support in-person events that are critical to WIB’s mission 

Benefits 

1. 401(k)

2. Health insurance stipend

3. Paid time off

4. Flexible schedule

EEO: Women In Bio, Inc. 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. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, and passion for WIB's mission, along with a resume to careers@womeninbio.org, with “CEO applicant” in subject line. Screening will be conducted with interviews offered to qualified candidates. The interview process will consist of 2 or more interviews, either 1:1 or in panel format with members of the WIB Board and WIB staff.