Operating Principal, Summit PBU

Flagship Pioneering, the venture creation firm behind Moderna and other breakthrough life sciences companies, is seeking an Operating Principal to join its Summit Pioneering Business Unit (PBU) in Cambridge, MA.

About Flagship Pioneering:

Flagship is a unique biotech innovation company that invents and builds platform companies that originate, discover, and develop life sciences products. The firm has generated over $90 billion in aggregate value and has been involved in the creation of more than 100 scientific ventures. Summit PBU is a business unit within Flagship focused on launching and scaling new portfolio companies (NewCos) at the intersection of science and business.

Role Overview:

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. The Operating Principal will work across one or more NewCos, leading operations and strategy, driving corporate development, and partnering closely with scientific leadership to translate breakthrough ideas into impact.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead strategy and operational planning across one or more early-stage NewCos

- Drive corporate development initiatives including partnerships, financings, and strategic alliances

- Engage with Boards of Directors and key external stakeholders

- Collaborate 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 build best-in-class infrastructure at each NewCo

- Execute operating and long-range plans ensuring milestones are achieved on time and on budget

- Build and maintain relationships with investors, partners, and key opinion leaders in the life sciences ecosystem

Qualifications:

- 10+ years of experience in biotech, pharma, or life sciences strategy and operations

- Prior management consulting experience a plus

- Proven success in strategic, operational, or corporate development leadership in early-stage biotech

- Strong scientific acumen with the ability to translate novel science into operational plans

- Track record of building and motivating high-performing teams