Director & Chief of Staff
Apply NowCompany: Pairwise
Location: Durham, NC 27713
Description:
About Pairwise:
Pairwise is a mission driven AgriFoodTech company pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture. Founded in 2017 by leading scientists in the gene editing and biotechnology fields, and anchored by our Fulcrum platform, we're accelerating innovation in plant genetics. Our expert team delivers commercially viable products that benefit the planet, consumers, growers, and our business partners.
We collaborate with best-in-breed companies to deliver products, including industry leaders like Bayer and Corteva. Our consumer-facing pipeline includes seedless blackberries and pitless cherries.
Named one of America's Top GreenTech Companies, Pairwise is based in the start-up friendly Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.
About This Role:
The Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic and operational partner to both the COO and CEO, providing high-level support in the execution of the company's strategic objectives. This role is critical to enhancing the effectiveness of the leadership team by ensuring efficient communication, alignment, and project execution across the organization.
Essential Functions:
1. Strategic Planning & Execution:
a. Support the COO and CEO in developing, tracking, and executing strategic initiatives.
b. Lead or facilitate cross-functional projects ensuring alignment with company objectives.
c. Monitor progress of key strategic priorities and ensure timely execution.
2. Operational Excellence:
a. Design and optimize processes to enhance organizational efficiency and cross-functional collaboration.
b. Drive operational improvements by identifying bottlenecks and developing solutions.
c. Prepare and manage reports, presentations, and communications for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Project Management & Coordination:
a. Oversee special projects from conception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
b. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives and support decision-making through research, analysis, and insights.
4. Communication & Alignment:
a. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to drive clarity and alignment.
b. Act as a trusted advisor to the COO and CEO, providing informed perspectives and feedback.
c. Prepare briefing materials and ensure executives are well-prepared for meetings and engagements.
5. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
a. Lead (through influence) high-functioning teams/groups, providing mentorship, coaching, and identifying development opportunities
b. Work closely with the Leadership team to ensure strategic initiatives are aligned and effectively executed across the organization.
c. Share progress and provide learning opportunities across the org, especially those with no experience or exposure to the business side of the organization.
6. Stakeholder Management:
a. Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and collaborators.
b. Support business development activities related to technology licensing and collaborations.
Required Education & Experience:
Advanced degree preferred (PhD, MBA, JD, or equivalent) in life sciences, business administration, or a related field.
5+ years of relevant experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, operations management, or biotech/pharma business development.
Proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects with high attention to detail.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
High emotional intelligence and ability to influence without formal authority.
Familiarity with biotech or agritech industry dynamics, technology licensing, and strategic partnerships is preferred.
Offerings:
Comprehensive Benefits Plan, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, 401k, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, and more!
Flexible PTO (use what you need, when you need it), in addition to company holidays.
Casual work environment.
Mission-driven organization focused on creating healthier fruits and veggies.
A cutting-edge, driven community looking to lead the industry in innovation and nutrition.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel, and techniques that require fine motor skills and repetitive motions. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
EEO Statement:
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Pairwise we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
No Recruiters please.
Pairwise is a mission driven AgriFoodTech company pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture. Founded in 2017 by leading scientists in the gene editing and biotechnology fields, and anchored by our Fulcrum platform, we're accelerating innovation in plant genetics. Our expert team delivers commercially viable products that benefit the planet, consumers, growers, and our business partners.
We collaborate with best-in-breed companies to deliver products, including industry leaders like Bayer and Corteva. Our consumer-facing pipeline includes seedless blackberries and pitless cherries.
Named one of America's Top GreenTech Companies, Pairwise is based in the start-up friendly Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.
About This Role:
The Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic and operational partner to both the COO and CEO, providing high-level support in the execution of the company's strategic objectives. This role is critical to enhancing the effectiveness of the leadership team by ensuring efficient communication, alignment, and project execution across the organization.
Essential Functions:
1. Strategic Planning & Execution:
a. Support the COO and CEO in developing, tracking, and executing strategic initiatives.
b. Lead or facilitate cross-functional projects ensuring alignment with company objectives.
c. Monitor progress of key strategic priorities and ensure timely execution.
2. Operational Excellence:
a. Design and optimize processes to enhance organizational efficiency and cross-functional collaboration.
b. Drive operational improvements by identifying bottlenecks and developing solutions.
c. Prepare and manage reports, presentations, and communications for internal and external stakeholders.
3. Project Management & Coordination:
a. Oversee special projects from conception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
b. Coordinate cross-functional initiatives and support decision-making through research, analysis, and insights.
4. Communication & Alignment:
a. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to drive clarity and alignment.
b. Act as a trusted advisor to the COO and CEO, providing informed perspectives and feedback.
c. Prepare briefing materials and ensure executives are well-prepared for meetings and engagements.
5. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
a. Lead (through influence) high-functioning teams/groups, providing mentorship, coaching, and identifying development opportunities
b. Work closely with the Leadership team to ensure strategic initiatives are aligned and effectively executed across the organization.
c. Share progress and provide learning opportunities across the org, especially those with no experience or exposure to the business side of the organization.
6. Stakeholder Management:
a. Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and collaborators.
b. Support business development activities related to technology licensing and collaborations.
Required Education & Experience:
Advanced degree preferred (PhD, MBA, JD, or equivalent) in life sciences, business administration, or a related field.
5+ years of relevant experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, operations management, or biotech/pharma business development.
Proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects with high attention to detail.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
High emotional intelligence and ability to influence without formal authority.
Familiarity with biotech or agritech industry dynamics, technology licensing, and strategic partnerships is preferred.
Offerings:
Comprehensive Benefits Plan, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, 401k, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, and more!
Flexible PTO (use what you need, when you need it), in addition to company holidays.
Casual work environment.
Mission-driven organization focused on creating healthier fruits and veggies.
A cutting-edge, driven community looking to lead the industry in innovation and nutrition.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel, and techniques that require fine motor skills and repetitive motions. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
EEO Statement:
We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Pairwise we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
No Recruiters please.