Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an exceptional CEO who bridges science and business, either a scientifically trained business executive or a scientist with deep managerial and commercial experience. The ideal candidate brings an outstanding track record of building and leading organizations and delivering against ambitious, high-stakes targets.

This role is responsible for creating and sustaining a world-class, entrepreneurial research environment where scientists can perform at their highest potential and drive transformative discovery. The CEO will serve as the organization’s primary external representative, developing strategic partnerships, funding relationships, and collaborative networks, while reporting to the Executive Director and Board.

Strong experience in drug discovery through preclinical development, alongside demonstrated success in biomedical innovation and product development, is essential. We are looking for a bold, proactive leader with strong ethical standards, exceptional execution capability, and full ownership of organizational success. Less than a full-time commitment may be considered.

About the role

• Seeking partnerships and alliances to further the agenda of NGNRI

• Nurture interest and secure additional funding from other philanthropic sources and national funding agencies (such as the NIH) to strengthen and further build research efforts focused on NF1 and other neurological disorders.

• Build up and promote the NGNRI organization

• Establish governance structures and lead the NGNRI management team

• Establish and bring to life a communication tree for internal communication as well as outreach and public relations activities to engage the community and public at large

• Nurture relations with City and State officials and other regional stakeholders to promote and secure the NGNRI agenda

• Together with the NGNRI Chief Scientific Officer, establish programs and activities to engage the NF1 and broader scientific community

• Together with the NGNRI Chief Scientific Officer, promote the attractiveness of NGNRI guest programs to the scientists in leading research organizations and establish partnering programs with their institutions

• Together with the NGNRI COO, build up and oversee the administrative operations of NGNRI

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines as well operations at the highest ethical standards

About you

• Builder, entrepreneurial, go-getter

• Visionary, motivated, able to inspire

• Excellent communicator whether in writing, speech or oral presentations

• Deferential to diversity, equality and inclusion and able to lead diverse multicultural teams

• Someone who will embrace a bold vision and remain loyal to its purpose

• Able to unite individuals and build a common agenda

• Able to serve as an ambassador of NGNRI and with proven diplomatic skills

• An individual with the highest integrity and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a team. Ideally, experience as a CEO, CSO, Managing Director or Director of a biomedical research driven enterprise. Research group leaders and PIs with strong experience leading research and with some business experience may also be considered.

• A builder rather than a steady-state manager • Ability to provide vision and motivate a team to build an organization and make it flourish

• Substantive corroborated experience leading challenging goal-driven research programs or biomedical product development opportunities to success

• Experience solving problems and overcoming obstacles, flexibility to consider and adopt alternative strategies when needed

• Outstanding interpersonal skills, communication and team-building

• Profound understanding and experience in managing an optimal environment for top level research

• Proactive, go-getter with a can-do attitude together with the stamina to attend to details along the way

• Ability to attract and recruit talent

• Experience navigating regulatory and compliance requirements in a professional environment

• Experience assuming accountability for projects or research driven initiatives

• PhD in a biomedical discipline, or MBA. If an MBA, ideally accompanied by a BSc in a biomedical discipline or experience in biomedical research

What you’ll get

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.

About us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery.

Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.

NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time.  Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.  Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.