Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity This is a CEO appointment at an early-stage structural heart company developing a differentiated heart valve technology with broader platform potential. The company has completed its seed financing, is backed by investors with both commercial and mission-driven objectives, and is building toward a Series A within 18–24 months. The lead programme is progressing through pre-clinical development toward first-in-human preparation.What the company needs now is a leader to refine a multi-year company road map, build the organisation around it, secure the next round of capital, and lead the product into clinical development. What You Will Do Capital and Investor LeadershipOwn and execute the Series A fundraise, working alongside the existing team, board, and advisorsBuild credibility with institutional healthcare investors, and construct the equity story that supports the raiseOperate with capital discipline and with an “owner’s mindset” as a leader and shareholder in the company Product and Clinical ProgressionDrive the product through animal studies (current financing), first-in-human preparation, and early clinical studies (future financing)Develop clinical and regulatory strategy across both established and non-standard pathways relevant to the target marketsWork closely with the technical advisory board to translate the technology into a commercially viable productDefine the longer-term platform roadmap beyond the lead indication Organisation BuildingBuild the personnel plan, and then the team and functions required to support clinical and regulatory progressionEstablish the culture, cadence and standards of a company moving from research to clinical execution Market and Stakeholder EngagementBuild credibility and relationships with cardiac surgeons, clinical advisors and key opinion leadersRepresent the company to investors, clinicians, regulators and strategic partners, globallyWork closely with the existing leadership and board to ensure an effective transition of executive responsibility. What Success Looks Like Within the first 24 months, the incoming CEO will have:Closed a Series A on terms that support the business through to first-in-humanManaged the team through completion of animal studies and established a clear, funded pathway into a first-in-human studyBuilt a chronological organisation plan with the functions required for clinical progressionEstablished the company as a credible name among cardiac surgeons and the structural heart communityMaintained the capital discipline that has characterised the business to dateWork closely with the team to maintain and build on a culture of success The Ideal Candidate Relevant ExperienceStartup operating experience. Senior operating responsibility within an early-stage medical device company, with a track record of delivering meaningful development milestones. First-time CEOs may be considered where startup operating experience is strong, and the individual is credible with the next-round funder.Fundraising capability. Demonstrable experience raising institutional capital, or significant exposure to the process, with credibility among healthcare investors.Pre-clinical to first-in-human. Direct experience navigating a medical device from animal studies through regulatory strategy and into a first-in-human studyCardiac surgery understanding. A background in cardiac surgical devices or procedures, or deep familiarity with how cardiac surgeons evaluate and adopt new technology, is strongly preferred.Regulatory breadth. Experience developing regulatory strategies across international markets, with the judgement to navigate pathways beyond conventional FDA and CE Mark routes. DesirableHeart valve or wider structural heart backgroundAn established network across the structural heart clinical and investor community The Right MindsetSubstance over style – the board values evidence and clear thinking over presentationLow ego but decisive – able to draw on the experience already around the table, absorb robust technical challenge, and then drive executionPersonally resourceful; comfortable building with limited resources and operating in a start-up environmentCommitted to both the mission and the commercial opportunity Why This RoleThe first dedicated CEO seat at a company with a genuinely differentiated technology and a defined route to the clinicA board and advisory group with deep, directly relevant heart valve experienceInvestor backing that combines commercial ambition with a long-term, mission-driven view and strong advisory expert networkA technology with the potential to change outcomes for a population that every existing option currently failsMeaningful equity participation and direct influence over the trajectory of the business