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Experienced, Successful Executives for Life Sciences Companies
BiotechExec connects life sciences companies with experienced, successful executives: CEOs, CFOs, Chief Business Officers, Chief Commercial Officers, COOs, Chief Medical Officers and scientific and technology leaders. Every one has led in life sciences before. You can engage them as an advisor, consultant, fractional or interim leader, or hire them full time through executive search. The caliber is the same. What changes is how you engage, so the arrangement fits your stage, needs and timeline.
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The engagement is flexible. The experience is the same.
Last updated November 4, 2026
Senior leaders on flexible terms
You may see this model called fractional, interim, contract or advisory leadership. At BiotechExec it never means junior leadership or a stopgap. It means seasoned C-suite executives, many of whom have built and run companies, working with you on terms that make sense before you are ready to commit to a full-time hire.
- Curated, not crowded. Executives join our network through referrals and direct industry relationships, not open sign-up.
- Proven in life sciences. Every member has led in biotech, pharma, medical device, diagnostics or digital health.
- Senior by design. The network of 600+ executives averages more than 15 years of C-suite experience.
- Matched to your need. Through Precision Match, we run a discovery session and gap analysis, then present candidates who fit your company's stage, culture and goals, and you interview them before you choose.
Five ways to engage the same caliber of executive.
| Model | What it looks like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Advisor | An executive provides expert guidance as needed, usually billed hourly. | Founders who need a sounding board, a second opinion or targeted expertise. |
| Consultant | An executive delivers a defined project with clear deliverables. | A market assessment, licensing playbook, readiness review or financial model. |
| Fractional | An executive leads a function on a recurring commitment, typically a monthly retainer. | Ongoing leadership of a function before a full-time hire is warranted. |
| Interim | An executive steps into a role, often full time, for a defined period. | A transition, a gap or a search in progress. |
| Direct hire | A full-time placement through executive search from our network and trusted referrals. | A permanent leader for a role you are ready to fill. |
Many engagements start on contract and convert to permanent roles once the fit is proven. Fees already paid for discovery and matching are credited toward the placement fee.
Find an executive by role.
| Role | Typical reason companies call us | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | A first business leader for a spinout or startup, leadership during a transition, or an investor-ready company | CEO |
| CFO | Financial infrastructure ahead of a raise, grant reporting, audit readiness, board and investor reporting | CFO |
| Chief Business Officer (CBO or CBDO) | Fundraising, licensing, partnering and business development | CBO |
| Chief Commercial Officer | Launch strategy, market access, reimbursement and revenue-stage execution | Learn more |
| COO | Operating leadership, program execution, grants and cross-functional management | Learn more |
| Chief Medical Officer | Clinical strategy, FDA interactions, medical oversight and credibility with investors and acquirers | Learn more |
| CSO and CTO | Scientific and technical strategy, platform development, CMC and IP direction | Learn more |
Fundraising and partnering are core capabilities.
- Fundraising and capital strategy: experienced capital raisers who sharpen the story, open investor doors and run the process.
- Licensing and partnering: business development leaders who value the asset, find the right partners and support the deal.
Search firm, interim executive or consultant?
| Executive search firm | Consulting firm | BiotechExec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who you work with | Candidates for a permanent role | A team, often with a senior lead | One senior executive who has led in life sciences. |
| Time to start | Often months | Weeks, after scoping | Introductions within days; leadership in place in under a month. |
| Commitment | Full-time hire | Project or retainer | Advisor, consultant, fractional, interim or direct hire. |
| Path to full-time | That is the goal | Rare | Contract first, convert when ready, with discovery fees credited. |
Read the How we compare guide for a closer look at the differences.
We also run focused executive searches for permanent roles.
Why life sciences companies choose BiotechExec.
- Exclusively life sciences: biotech, pharma, medical device, diagnostics and digital health, from emerging to growth stage.
- Trusted by the industry's associations: BiotechExec is a preferred provider in BIO Business Solutions, and works with BIO and 35 state biotechnology associations. Member companies receive 10% off services and a complimentary first executive advisory session of up to 90 minutes.
- One agreement, flexible engagements: a single Master Services Agreement and a Service Order for each engagement; either party may end an engagement on 30 days' written notice.
- National and international reach: executives across the United States and in more than 10 countries, working remotely, hybrid or on site.
FAQ
What is the difference between an advisor, consultant, fractional executive and interim executive?
An advisor gives expert guidance as needed. A consultant delivers a defined project. A fractional executive leads a function on a recurring commitment. An interim executive steps into a role, often full time, for a defined period. At BiotechExec all four are experienced executives, and any of them can convert to a permanent hire.
Are these executives as experienced as a full-time hire?
Yes. Our executives are seasoned C-suite leaders who have led in life sciences, with more than 15 years of C-suite experience on average. The engagement model is flexible. The experience is not.
Can BiotechExec run an executive search for a permanent role?
Yes. We run focused searches through our network and trusted industry referrals, and candidate introductions typically arrive within days. Many clients choose to start with a contract engagement first.
How quickly can an executive start?
Candidate introductions typically arrive within days, and leadership can be in place in less than one month.
How is an engagement priced?
Every engagement is scoped individually. Fractional and interim C-suite engagements usually run on a monthly retainer sized to the time commitment, the executive's level and the deliverables, and advisory work is typically hourly. Exact terms are confirmed in your Service Order before work begins.
Do you only work with U.S. companies?
No. Our network spans the United States and more than 10 other countries, and engagements run remotely, hybrid or on site.
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