Operating Principal, Summit PBU

Operating Principal – Summit PBU

THE ROLE

Summit, a Pioneering Business Unit within Flagship, is seeking an Operating Principal to help launch and scale our NewCos. You will work across one or more companies, leading operations and strategy, driving corporate development, and partnering closely with scientific leadership to translate breakthrough ideas into impact.

This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial leader who thrives in ambiguity, moves seamlessly between science and business, and is energized by building organizations from inception to growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategy and operational planning in one or more NewCos.
• Drive corporate development initiatives, including partnerships, financings, and strategic alliances, as well as engagement with Board of Directors and other important stakeholders
• Engage directly with scientists and company leaders to align technical progress with operational goals.
• Recruit, develop, and manage high-performing teams across functions.
• Partner with Flagship central teams (Finance, Talent, Legal/IP, HR) to bring best-in-class infrastructure to each company.
• Shape and execute operating and long-range plans, ensuring milestones are achieved on time and on budget.
• Build strong external relationships with investors, partners, and key opinion leaders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

Who you are: You are a dynamic operator and strategist who combines business leadership with scientific fluency. You thrive in fast-moving, entrepreneurial environments and are motivated by building organizations that harness novel science.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in biotech, pharma, or life sciences strategy/operations; prior management consulting a plus.
• Proven success in strategic, operational, or corporate development leadership, ideally in early-stage biotech.
• Strong scientific acumen; able to quickly grasp novel science and translate it into plans and execution.
• Track record of building and motivating high-performing teams.
• Skilled communicator, able to influence and inspire across investors, partners, and internal teams.
• Expert problem solver; can bring order to chaos and iterate quickly to find solutions
• Entrepreneurial, resilient, and hands-on; able to adapt and execute with urgency; doesn’t mind rolling up sleeves and doing what needs to be done to move the ball forward

How You Lead: You set a high bar for yourself and others, balancing precision with agility. You are curious, feedback-driven, and focused on constantly learning how to be the best version of yourself. You face challenges with grit and enthusiasm, while fostering collaboration, shared ownership, and pride in collective achievements.

EDUCATION

• Advanced degree in life sciences or business preferred (PhD, MD, MBA, or equivalent experience).

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

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The salary range for this role is $220,000 - $269,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Flagship Pioneering currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Flagship Pioneering’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.

Privacy Notice for Applicants: When you apply for a role at Flagship Pioneering or one of its portfolio companies, we collect and use personal information you provide (such as your name, contact details, work history, and application materials) to evaluate your application, communicate with you, and comply with legal obligations. Your application data is processed through Greenhouse, our applicant tracking system, and may also be reviewed using AI-assisted screening tools. We do not sell your personal information. California residents have rights under the CCPA/CPRA including to know, delete, and opt out of the sharing of their personal information. If you are located in the EU or UK, we process your data under GDPR and you have rights to access, rectify, and erase your data. To exercise your rights or for questions, contact [email protected].