President & Chief Executive Officer

BioConnect Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

BioConnect Iowa in Des Moines seeks a President & CEO to lead Iowa's bioscience sector, bridging universities, startups, and investors to turn ideas into impact.

You will shape statewide strategy, inspire a high-performing team, build trusted partnerships, oversee the InnoVenture Iowa Fund, and represent Iowa's bioscience story nationally with authenticity and passion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MS, MBA, PhD or JD preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in bioscience, innovation, or commercialization.
• Background working with venture capital, startups, or technology transfer initiatives.
• Proven success in managing partnerships across sectors and aligning stakeholders to a shared mission.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and strategic execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape Iowa's statewide bioscience strategy and guide its execution.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team that thrives on innovation and impact.
• Build trusted partnerships with business leaders, university researchers, and investors.
• Oversee the InnoVenture Iowa Fund, advancing investment strategies that grow our innovation pipeline.
• Represent Iowa's bioscience story nationally with authenticity, credibility, and passion.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Partnership building

Communication

Diplomacy

Executive presence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

President & Chief Executive Officer
BioConnect Iowa | Des Moines, Iowa
Lead. Inspire. Transform. Shape the future of Iowa's bioscience economy.

About BioConnect Iowa

At BioConnect Iowa (BCI), we believe innovation doesn't happen by chance - it happens by connection.

We are Iowa's catalyst for bioscience commercialization, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and government partners to turn breakthrough ideas into thriving ventures.

Our focus spans four high-growth platforms:

• Biobased Products
• Precision & Digital Agriculture
• Vaccines, Diagnostics & Immunotherapeutics
• Medical Innovations

BCI also manages InnoVenture Iowa, the state's first publicly funded venture capital fund, investing alongside private capital partners to accelerate early-stage companies across bioscience, manufacturing, and technology.

About the Role
This is not a typical executive position. The President & CEO serves as the visionary, connector, and chief advocate of Iowa's bioscience sector - driving collaboration among universities, startups, and state leaders to unlock the next generation of innovation.

As CEO, you will:

• Shape Iowa's statewide bioscience strategy and guide its execution.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team that thrives on innovation and impact.
• Build trusted partnerships with business leaders, university researchers, and investors.
• Oversee the InnoVenture Iowa Fund, advancing investment strategies that grow our innovation pipeline.
• Represent Iowa's bioscience story nationally with authenticity, credibility, and passion.

Note: This description highlights the core priorities of the role but is not exhaustive. The CEO’s reach and influence will evolve as BioConnect Iowa grows and new opportunities emerge.

Who You Are

A visionary leader who thrives in the space between science and business. You move seamlessly from the boardroom to the lab, bridging conversations between researchers, founders, and investors. You see opportunity where others see complexity.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MS, MBA, PhD, or JD) preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in bioscience, innovation, or commercialization.
• Background working with venture capital, startups, or technology transfer initiatives.
• Proven success in managing partnerships across sectors and aligning stakeholders to a shared mission.
• Exceptional communication, diplomacy, and strategic execution skills.

Preferred Attributes

• Natural networker who builds relationships across science, policy, and capital.
• Experience raising or managing investment or grant funding.
• Familiarity with Iowa's innovation ecosystem or a desire to help shape it.
• A people-first leader who motivates with purpose and vision.

Why Iowa

Iowa offers more than innovation - it offers opportunity, balance, and an exceptional quality of life.

Des Moines, the capital city and home of BioConnect Iowa, consistently ranks among the best places in America to live and work. The region combines a highly educated workforce, a thriving business climate, and a welcoming community with the kind of affordability and access rarely found in major innovation hubs.

Iowa's workforce is among the most stable and loyal in the country, recognized nationally for quality and work ethic. The state's universities - including Iowa State University and the University of Iowa - are leaders in bioscience research, technology transfer, and industry collaboration, fueling the talent pipeline that powers Iowa's growth.

Executives who relocate to Iowa discover a balanced lifestyle with short commutes, safe neighborhoods, and strong public schools. Downtown Des Moines continues to grow with award-winning restaurants, cultural venues, and vibrant neighborhoods surrounded by scenic parks and trails.

Iowa offers all the resources of a modern innovation economy without the congestion or cost of larger markets. For leaders seeking a place where vision, collaboration, and community align, Iowa is a destination where professional impact and personal fulfillment go hand in hand.

Why This Role Matters

BioConnect Iowa is the epicenter of Iowa's bioscience growth story. The CEO’s leadership will directly shape how new discoveries reach markets, how investors engage with innovation, and how Iowa builds a global reputation as a hub for bioscience and agtech excellence.

If you are energized by innovation, impact, and the opportunity to build something that matters, you will find purpose here.

Join us in shaping the next era of Iowa's bioscience innovation - where discovery meets opportunity.