Chief Operating Officer

Default (MSD); Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 379,000 - 622,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Chief Operating Officer in Rockville, Maryland to lead comprehensive operations, translate strategy into execution, and ensure scalable processes across Product Development, Operations, and Support.

The role requires advanced degree and 15+ years of operational leadership, with biotech and FDA/GMP experience preferred; a strong track record of building high-performance teams and delivering results.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in business administration, life sciences, engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in operational management.
• A minimum of five years in a senior executive leadership role (VP or C-suite) with multi-unit responsibility.
• Experience in a biotechnology or life sciences highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing operations in FDA-regulated or GMP environments.

Responsibilities

• Partners with CEO and executive team to develop and execute organizational goals and strategic plans while providing expertise and guidance on projects, operations, and systems.
• Translates strategic objectives into actionable operational plans with clear milestones and accountability; develops short- and long-term goals and strategies.
• Evaluates and optimizes processes across multiple functional areas; establishes and monitors KPIs to track progress.
• Provides leadership for core operational units including Product Development, R&D, Operations & Manufacturing, and Customer Support.
• Collaborates with CFO to develop budgets and ROI analyses for major investments; drives cost control and efficiency.
• Builds high-performing teams, mentors leaders, and fosters a culture of accountability and growth.
• Represents the company to external stakeholders, including partners and investors; conducts strategic reviews to manage risk.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting & P&L management

Operational excellence

Performance measurement & KPI

Communication and influence

Change management

Data-driven decision making

Education

MBA or equivalent

MS/PhD in Life Sciences or Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Project management software

BI tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, MD 20850, USA

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for comprehensive planning, development, and direction of all company operations in alignment with strategic goals and objectives established by the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This role drives operational excellence, translates strategy into execution, and ensures scalable business processes across all functional areas. The COO establishes operational policies and procedures, evaluates performance results, and assumes full responsibility for company administration in the President and Chief Executive Officer’s absence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partners with CEO and executive team to develop and execute organizational goals and strategic plans while providing expertise and guidance on projects, operations, and systems.
• Translates strategic objectives into actionable operational plans with clear milestones and accountability. Develops the organization's short- and long-term goals and strategies and ensures that business processes and operational controls are in place to support those goals and strategies.
• Evaluates and optimizes processes across multiple functional areas, implementing efficiency improvements and performance enhancements. Establishes and monitors KPIs to track progress and reports on operating results to ensure consistent growth and progress towards achieving organizational goals.
• Provides direct leadership for core operational business units/functional areas directly related to delivering products and services to market, including Product Development and commercialization, Research & Engineering, Operations & Manufacturing (including supply chain and distribution), and Customer Support & Service Delivery.
• Implements industry best practices and operational methodologies to ensure high-quality operations and delivery. Fosters a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence. Drives standardization of workflows, systems, and procedures to enhance productivity and scalability.
• Collaborates with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop and manage operational budgets and resource allocation. Monitors expenditures and implements cost-control measures to optimize efficiency. Develops business cases and ROI analyses for major investments.
• Builds and leads high-performing operational teams across multiple functional areas. Establishes clear performance expectations and provides coaching and mentorship. Promotes a collaborative culture that values accountability, innovation, and results.
• Represents the company to external stakeholders, including partners, and investors. Conducts strategic reviews to assess progress, identify risks, and adjust plans as conditions evolve.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in Business Administration, Life Sciences, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in operational management.
• A minimum of five years in a senior executive leadership role (VP or C-suite) with multi-unit responsibility.
• Experience in a biotechnology or life sciences highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing operations in FDA-regulated or GMP environments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful operational strategies that drive business growth and profitability.
• Exceptional leadership skills with proven ability to inspire, develop, and retain top talent. Strong executive presence with confidence, integrity, and C-suite presence. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of staff management practices and processes and the ability to establish accountabilities and expectations and manage performance to achieve results.
• Expert knowledge of business operations, including strategic planning, effective budget development and management processes, as well as the ability to translate strategic thinking into action plans and related outcomes.
• Strong business and financial acumen with P&L management experience. Proven negotiation and mediation skills, as well as a demonstrated attention to detail and a focus on achieving quality outcomes. Commercial orientation with understanding of customer needs and market dynamics.
• The ability to build/foster relationships by reinforcing trust and respect and demonstrating high standards of tact, diplomacy and discretion. Outstanding communication skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to influence and build consensus across organizational levels.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy, demanding and deadline driven environment. Demonstrates resilience, flexibility, and composure under pressure. Change management expertise and the ability to act accordingly.
• A high level of confidence, integrity, interpersonal skills, and a professional executive presence for effectively interacting with and influencing others, internal and external to the company.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate and synthesize complex data and information and develop a recommendation and plan of action.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other operational software and tools. Familiarity with ERP systems, project management platforms, and business intelligence tools.
• Ability to travel outside standard working hours with some overnight stays, including occasional international travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, utilize equipment necessary to perform the job, and move about the office and manufacturing/laboratory environments. This position requires occasional business travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is performed in a traditional office environment with occasional visits to laboratory and manufacturing facilities. When on travel, variable.

COMPENSATION SUMMARY

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $379,000. to $621,900. This salary range represents a general guideline as MSD considers other factors when presenting an offer of employment, such as scope and responsibilities of the position, external market factors, and the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, education and experience. Employees may qualify for a discretionary or non-discretionary bonus in addition to their base salary. These annual bonuses are intended to recognize individual performance and enable employees to benefit from the Company's overall success.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

At MSD, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and financial security. In addition to competitive salaries, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with prescription benefits. We provide a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible spending accounts, and company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance as well as group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Our offerings also encompass paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and paid parental leave, along with an employee assistance program. Additional voluntary perks include a fitness club membership contribution, pet insurance, identity theft protection, home and auto insurance discounts, and optional supplemental life insurance.

EEO/AA STATEMENT

MSD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, age, protected veteran status, pregnancy, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. For our full EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit here.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.