Chief of Staff

Position Type: Full-Time
Department: Executive
Location: Boulder, Colorado (onsite presence is a priority)
Experience: 6 - 12+ years of experience in strategy, marketing, commercial operations, finance, product, or Chief of Staff roles in high-growth environments. Bachelor’s required; advanced degree (MBA or technical degree) preferred.

Position Summary

Watchmaker Genomics is inviting applications for the Chief of Staff position. This role is designed to be a force multiplier for the CEO. As Watchmaker enters its next phase of rapid scaling, the Chief of Staff will work closely with the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team to drive execution, support strategic priorities, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen cross-functional alignment.

This role is ideal for a high-impact leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, brings structure to ambiguity, and has the judgment to operate at an executive level. This is a company-level Chief of Staff role focused on operating cadence, decision quality, and cross-functional execution.

Responsibilities

Executive Leverage and Strategic Insight

• Represent the CEO in meetings, communication, and decision-making to drive clarity and close open loops.
• Triage and prioritize incoming requests to ensure the CEO and Leadership Team focus on the highest-impact decisions.
• Monitor business health beyond the spreadsheet by connecting sales trends, product-launch KPIs, financial indicators, and R&D progress to clarify strategic implications.
• Convert complex commercial, scientific, financial, and operational data into clear, actionable insights.
• Ensure the CEO and CCO are prepared for key customer, partner, and investor interactions with the right context, not just the agenda.

Operating Cadence and Business Architecture

• Design, manage, and continually refine the company’s operating rhythm, including:
• Weekly ELT meetings
• Monthly business reviews
• Quarterly planning sessions
• Board preparation cycles
• Annual operating plan process
• Elevate these forums from “updates” to structured, decision-oriented meetings.
• Build predictability, accountability, and clarity across teams.
• Partner with finance, operations, commercial, and R&D to ensure alignment on priorities, timelines, and resource needs.
• Track high-priority action items from executive and cross-functional meetings; ensure follow-through and escalation when needed.

Strategic Initiatives and Cross-Functional Execution

• Identify friction points across the organization (e.g., handoffs between Sales, Operations, Product, and R&D) and intervene early to maintain momentum.
• Lead cross-functional projects that require executive oversight but do not fit neatly into a single function, examples include:
• New product or market readiness
• Organizational design and capacity modeling
• Commercial reporting improvements
• New market entry analysis
• Strategic partnerships or external evaluations
• Build project plans, timelines, milestones, and communication frameworks.
• Ensure initiatives remain aligned with broader company goals and that leaders have the resources they need to execute.

Board, Investor, and External Communications

• Lead the preparation of Board materials, including narrative flow, data quality, continuity of insights, and alignment with long-term vision.
• Support investor updates, strategic presentations, CEO communications, and conference preparation.
• Ensure crisp, consistent messaging that reflects Watchmaker’s standards of clarity and scientific rigor.
• Help execute effective internal communication cascades to keep teams aligned during rapid growth.

Culture and Collaboration

• Promote alignment, transparency, and healthy communication across Watchmaker’s global teams.
• Support leadership development, employee engagement efforts, and internal process improvements.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity, and collaboration.
• Operate as a trusted, discreet partner to the CEO and Leadership Team.

Skills and Requirements

Education and Experience

• 6-12+ years of experience in strategy, marketing, commercial operations, finance, product, or Chief of Staff roles in high-growth environments.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA or technical degree) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience running executive operating cadence and driving cross-functional execution.
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, diagnostics, or scientific tools is highly desirable, but the ability to learn the technology quickly is essential.

Technical and Commercial Fluency

• Ability to interpret a P&L, analyze sales funnels, understand R&D milestones, and connect operational metrics to strategic outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Comfortable working across commercial, product, R&D, and operations.

Communication and Executive Presence

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce executive-ready content.
• Confident in interacting with senior leaders and capable of pushing back respectfully when required.
• Ability to command a room, lead discussions, and drive clarity.

Compensation and Benefits

Base compensation starts at $175,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience, plus bonus and equity; actual pay will be adjusted based on skills and experience. Employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off, Holidays, employer covers 75% of base medical plan with buy-up options, EAP (employee assistance program), employer paid dental with a buy-up option, employer paid vision, employer paid $25,000 life/AD&D policy, paid parental leave, and a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% match.

Application Requirements 

To apply for the position, please submit the following in a PDF format on watchmakergenomics.com: 

• Letter of motivation (upload where it says cover letter)
• Resume or Curriculum vitae, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience

Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Local candidates preferred.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled; however, early submission is encouraged as review will begin immediately.

If selected to participate in the interview process, the names and contact information of three professional references who are able to assess your suitability for the position in terms of the specified requirements will be requested.

*** NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE

We are only accepting direct applications for this position. We are not working with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters will not be considered and will be deemed the property of Watchmaker Genomics.

*** WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

Watchmaker Genomics is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and creating a culturally diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics as protected by applicable law.

All applicants will be asked if currently eligible to work in the United States of America; and if now or in the future will require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history check, drug screening and a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. All pre-employment checks will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.