Chief Operating Officer

Rhodes Wolfe; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhodes Wolfe in Durham, NC seeks a Chief Operating Officer to drive operations, strategy, and performance in a growing medical diagnostics company. This hands-on leader will move between strategy and execution, overseeing a small team, processes, and regulatory standards.

The role requires strong project management, financial acumen, and the ability to partner with leadership to scale the business while maintaining quality and strong compliance with FDA requirements.

Qualifications

• Scientific background required.
• Experience managing a small company, a division, or a business unit.
• Working knowledge of quality systems and FDA regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and hold employees accountable.
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion.
• Financial and accounting literacy to understand budgets and business performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the business.
• Develop and execute business strategies that support growth and long-term objectives.
• Lead, develop, and hold a small team accountable to clear goals, priorities, and deadlines.
• Maintain a culture of accountability through regular communication, follow-up, and a hands-on management style.
• Manage projects, priorities, resources, and timelines to ensure successful execution.
• Oversee operations, manufacturing, quality, product development, and administrative functions.
• Ensure compliance with FDA requirements and maintain strong quality systems.
• Monitor financial performance, budgets, expenses, and cash flow in partnership with outside CPA and accounting resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and organizational performance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Financial literacy

People management

Education

Scientific background

Job description

Chief Operating Officer
Location: Durham, NC
Salary: Competitive Base Salary + Performance Bonus + Benefits
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, 401k w/ Match, PTO
Job Type: Full-Time
Typical Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday - Friday
Start Date: ASAP
Sponsorship: Not Available

Chief Operating Officer Description

Our client, a privately held medical diagnostics company, is entering an exciting new chapter and looking for a Chief Operating Officer to take the reins of the business. With a small, close-knit team, a strong customer base, and an expanding product pipeline, the founder is preparing to step back from the day-to-day operation of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an entrepreneurial leader who can move comfortably between strategy and execution - leading people, managing projects, understanding the numbers, maintaining regulatory standards, and driving growth. This is a phenomenal opportunity to step into a key leadership role with meaningful responsibility and autonomy in running an established, profitable company while helping shape its next chapter.

Chief Operating Officer Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the business
• Develop and execute business strategies that support growth and long-term objectives
• Lead, develop, and hold a small team accountable to clear goals, priorities, and deadlines
• Maintain a culture of accountability through regular communication, follow-up, and a hands-on management style
• Manage projects, priorities, resources, and timelines to ensure successful execution
• Oversee operations, manufacturing, quality, product development, and administrative functions
• Ensure compliance with FDA requirements and maintain strong quality systems
• Monitor financial performance, budgets, expenses, and cash flow in partnership with outside CPA and accounting resources
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and organizational performance

Chief Operating Officer Qualifications

• Scientific background required
• Experience managing a small company, a division, or a business unit required
• Working knowledge of quality systems and FDA regulatory requirements required
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and hold employees accountable required
• Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion required
• Financial and accounting literacy to understand budgets and business performance required