VP, Innovation Lab

Role Summary

Vice President of Innovation, an entrepreneurial, outcomes driven, scientifically grounded, and commercially fluent leader to drive the next wave of eye care innovation from concept to the clinical stage. This individual will serve as a thought partner and mentor to the Innovation Lab leadership and identify and advance high-potential therapeutic opportunities, advancing innovation programs to clinic readiness on an annual basis.

This role is ideal for someone with a strong scientific foundation, a proven track record of rapid innovation, deep business insight, and a passion for creating and building new ventures to accelerate development from ideation to clinical proof-of-concept, collaborating across senior leaders to transform early concepts into clinically and commercially promising programs.

Responsibilities

• Shape and evolve the strategic direction and scaling of the Innovation Lab to align with long-term growth ambitions.
• Lead the Innovation Lab team on the current innovation candidate pipeline and identify prioritization and acceleration opportunities.
• Analyze science-driven opportunities based on therapeutic target mechanisms, including analogues outside of eye care, to redefine standards of care.
• Review and provide input on business plans for early-stage assets to move programs to clinic readiness.
• Evaluate unmet needs and innovation white space through physician engagement, patient insights, biology, and commercial analysis.
• Navigate clinical, regulatory, and reimbursement considerations to build accelerated paths to proof-of-concept, including repurposing and translational models with the aim of optimizing clinical probability of success.
• Integrate a strong business lens into early development to balance technical potential with commercial viability.
• Collaborate with R&D, Business Development and Corporate Strategy, Regulatory, Clinical, Finance, and Legal/IP to position early programs for advancement.
• Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership with data-driven recommendations and clear business impact.
• Communicate complex scientific and strategic concepts clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Cultivate networks of KOLs, innovators, VCs, CROs, and academic partners to source and shape novel therapeutic concepts.
• Evaluate early-stage opportunities for internal incubation or external collaboration using an outcome-oriented approach.
• Expand frameworks for rapid iteration and fast decision-making on go/no-go milestones.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required: PhD, MD, or equivalent in life sciences or engineering; MBA or formal business training strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in biotech, pharma, or life sciences early-stage ventures, including hands-on innovation and early development leadership at VP+ level. Incubator/startup/entrepreneurial experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking with a track record of shaping strategy, executing with urgency, and delivering outcomes in ambiguous environments aligned with business strategy.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of ophthalmology preferred; adjacent specialties considered with relevant innovation background.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills to influence across functions and deliver succinct, strategic insights to executives and the Board.
• Innovative mindset that fosters unconventional thinking, grounded in patient outcomes; ability to think creatively, act rapidly, take calculated risks, and focus on results.

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Scientific and technical leadership in life sciences
• Business development and market analysis
• Communication and stakeholder management
• KOL and partner ecosystem cultivation

Education

• PhD, MD, or equivalent in life sciences or engineering; MBA strongly preferred

Additional Requirements

• Location: Irvine office with hybrid/remote options; some travel up to 30% may be required