Executive Director - Business Operations (Cellular ...

Title: Laboratory Business Administrator, (ED)Organization: Boulder Biologics Research Center (BBRC)Department: Cellular Therapy Services (CTS) - Business & Administrative OperationsLocation: Boulder, Colorado(On-site)Reports To: Board of DirectorsWorks Closely With: Medical Director, Laboratory Technical Director, Director of Quality & Cellular Therapy Systems, and Laboratory Data Architect Salary: $90,000-$110,000/yrBenefits: 401(k) Safe Harborwithemployermatch, Health, dental, andvision coverage, PTO and paidholidays, Professional development supportAbout the OrganizationBoulder Biologics Research Center (BBRC) is a startup medical research and clinical organization focused on building a next-generation cellular therapy platform. The organization operates at the intersection of clinical care, laboratory processing, and systematic, scalable operational infrastructure, with an emphasis on autologous cellular therapies.BBRC is in an early-stage build phase. This is not a maintenance environment"”it is a foundational build requiring disciplined execution, strong operational systems, and the ability to scale a laboratory-supported organization within a regulated clinical and research setting.Position Overview The Executive Director serves as the senior business and administrative executive responsible for building and managing the operational infrastructure that supports the cellular therapy laboratory.This is a business and administrative leadership role.It is not a scientific, clinical, or laboratory operations leadership position.The Executive Director ensures that the laboratory is properly staffed, supplied, financially managed, and operationally disciplined on a daily basis. This includes ownership of purchasing, budgeting, vendor management, human resources, and administrative systems.This role is comparable to a hospital laboratory administrator or operational executive responsible for ensuring that technical and clinical teams can execute without disruption.The Executive Director operates in a hands-on capacity within a startup environment, directly solving operational challenges and building the systems required for consistent execution.Core AccountabilityThe Executive Director is accountable for:Ensuring the laboratory is staffed, supplied, and operationally ready each day from a business and administrative standpointMaintaining budget discipline and accurate expense tracking aligned with Board-approved financial plansEnforcing administrative discipline, including scheduling reliability and operational consistencyManaging vendor relationships and ensuring consistent delivery of materials and servicesBuilding and maintaining scalable business and administrative systemsSupporting nonprofit governance and compliance through coordination with external partnersEnsuring administrative alignment with applicable quality and regulatory requirementsKey ResponsibilitiesOperational Readiness & Administrative DisciplineEnsure the laboratory is prepared for daily operations from a business and administrative standpointConfirm required supplies, materials, and services are available for scheduled activitiesMonitor non-technical staff scheduling, attendance, and reliabilityIdentify and resolve operational gaps that could disrupt executionActively address day-to-day operational issues in a hands-on mannerPurchasing & Vendor ManagementProcure laboratory supplies, reagents, equipment, and services in coordination with technical and quality leadershipEstablish and manage vendor relationshipsNegotiate pricing, contracts, and delivery timelinesEnsure continuity of supply and service deliveryCoordinate with Quality where vendor activities intersect with compliance requirementsBudgeting & Expense ManagementDevelop and manage the operating budget for Board review and approvalTrack expenses in coordination with CPA and bookkeeping partnersMonitor spending trends and identify cost efficienciesMaintain clear financial visibility and reporting for leadershipResource Planning (Non-Technical)Anticipate supply, equipment, and service needs based on operational demandCoordinate procurement timelines with laboratory requirementsEnsure uninterrupted availability of critical resourcesHuman Resources & Administrative ManagementManage hiring logistics, onboarding, and personnel administration for non-technical rolesMaintain HR records and ensure compliance with policiesCoordinate payroll, benefits, and administrative processesSupport accountability and performance management from an operational standpointNonprofit Administration & GovernanceCoordinate with external CPA, bookkeeping, and legal advisorsSupport Board reporting and administrative processesEnsure compliance with nonprofit reporting requirementsMaintain organized organizational records and documentationBusiness Systems & InfrastructureBuild and maintain systems for:Expense trackingVendor managementAdministrative documentationEnsure processes are structured, scalable, and repeatableSupport continuous improvement of operational infrastructureRole BoundariesThe Executive Director:Does not make scientific, clinical, or laboratory workflow decisionsDoes not override Technical or Quality authorityIs responsible for enabling execution"”not directing technical workHowever, the Executive Director must develop a strong working understanding of laboratory operations in order to effectively support planning, resource allocation, and operational execution.Required QualificationsEducation (Minimum)Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Healthcare Administration, or related disciplinePreferred EducationMBA, MHA, or similar advanced degree in business or healthcare administrationExperienceExperience in business operations, administration, or financial managementExperience managing budgets, vendors, and operational systemsExperience operating in a startup or build environment strongly preferredFamiliarity with healthcare, laboratory, or life sciences environments preferredCore CapabilitiesStrong operational and financial management skillsHigh level of organizational discipline and attention to detailAbility to build structure and enforce accountabilityAbility to manage multiple functions simultaneouslyStrong communication and cross-functional coordination skillsWillingness to operate hands-on in a dynamic startup environmentPreferred BackgroundExperience supporting regulated or technical environmentsExposure to healthcare, laboratory, or life sciences organizationsExperience working with external service providers (CPA, legal, HR)Familiarity with nonprofit structures or governanceRole CharacteristicsBusiness and administrative leadership focusHigh accountability for operational readiness and executionHands-on role in a startup environmentStructured, process-driven mindsetFocus on consistency, reliability, and scalabilityDesigned to support"”not replace"”technical and clinical leadership

Created: 2026-05-08