MANAGING DIRECTOR

BioGenerator Ventures

Position Summary

BioGenerator Ventures, the start-up arm of BioSTL, is seeking a Managing Director to play a crucial role in driving the growth and impact of St. Louis' thriving innovation ecosystem. The Managing Director will play a leading role at BioGenerator Ventures, which includes managing its portfolio of over 70 active companies.

In this pivotal role reporting to the Senior Managing Director, The Managing Director will help lead BioGenerator Ventures’ ongoing work to create and grow promising new companies in St. Louis —providing investment and comprehensive startup support, including access to the BioGenerator Labs. BioGenerator Ventures' current portfolio is aligned with St. Louis' strengths, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, agtech, food/nutrition, and healthcare innovation. In 2024, BioGenerator Ventures invested in 16 startup companies, and the portfolio has collectively raised over $2.8B in capital from local, national, and global investors.

Job Responsibilities

The Managing Director, utilizing scientific, finance, and business experience, will actively participate in the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with BioSTL and BioGenerator Ventures senior leadership to shape and execute the overall investment strategy, startup support goals, and portfolio management framework
• Collaborate with the Senior Managing Director to lead, mentor, and develop the BioGenerator Ventures team, fostering a high-performing, mission-aligned investment group
• Conceive, launch, and build innovative bioscience companies rooted in the St. Louis region, with a focus on impactful technologies and scalable business models
• Source, evaluate, and invest in early-stage and venture-backed bioscience companies, with an emphasis on high-potential opportunities across human health and agtech
• Provide hands-on strategic support to portfolio companies as they navigate product development, fundraising, commercialization, and growth
• Structure and manage investment syndicates, building strong relationships with co-investors and capital partners
• Serve as a board member or observer on portfolio companies, contributing to governance, strategic direction, and milestone execution
• Lead and manage investment due diligence processes, coordinating cross-functional teams to assess technology, markets, and leadership
• Improve BioGenerator Ventures’ approaches through new strategies and problem-solving, potentially structuring and raising for-profit investment vehicles
• Serve as a representative and public speaker for BioGenerator Ventures at community events, industry conferences, and partner engagements—effectively communicating the organization's mission, programs, and impact.
• Collaborate with portfolio companies to support and evaluate follow-on investment opportunities, providing strategic guidance and assessing alignment with BioGenerator Venture’s investment goals.

Desired Qualifications/Experience

• MD or PhD in biosciences or related discipline, or other advanced degree with relevant experience
• 15+ years of professional work experience in life-sciences and biotech
• Significant experience in biotech venture capital and/or business development, including sourcing deals, evaluating investment opportunities, negotiating term sheets, and managing portfolio company relationships
• Experience leading or contributing to technical due diligence processes, with the ability to assess scientific, clinical, or technological feasibility in early-stage companies.
• Experience in the human health, pharmaceutical, or agricultural technology sectors, with a strong understanding of industry trends, regulatory landscapes, and pathways to innovation and commercialization.
• Proven success in founding and scaling early-stage technology companies, from concept to commercialization
• Experience in raising venture capital and private equity, including forming and managing investment syndicates
• Background in both startup environments and established industry settings, with agility to navigate both
• Expertise in intellectual property portfolio management and negotiating technology licensing agreements
• Track record of developing and launching innovative products and services in science-driven markets
• Experience in managing scientific laboratory operations, including compliance, safety, and resource planning
• Strong leadership in recruiting, training, and developing high-performing, diverse teams
• Experience serving on company boards and contributing to strategic governance
• Ability to leverage a robust professional network for investment diligence, partnerships, and fundraising

Skills

• Strong inquiry, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and influence both internal and external stakeholders
• Highly effective in both independent work and cross-functional team environments
• Active and empathetic listener, skilled at understanding nuanced perspectives
• Strategic thinker with the ability to see the big picture while maintaining attention to critical details
• Excellent judgment and critical thinking in complex, high-stakes decision-making
• Strong prioritization, time management, and project planning capabilities
• Ability to thoughtfully assess and balance risk with opportunity in dynamic environments
• Objective and analytical approach to evaluations, grounded in data and evidence over personal bias
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, guide, and develop individuals and teams toward shared goals
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage conflict constructively, and build trust across diverse audiences
• Committed to fostering and contributing to an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture

Compensation

Pay is commensurate with experience and is benchmarked against market rates. Benefit package for full-time employees includes excellent health coverage, generous retirement savings match, tuition assistance, and other benefits to support employees personally and professionally.

Application

BioGenerator Ventures and BioSTL are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable ecosystem. We are committed to seeking individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences who will bring a range of perspectives to this work. This is an equal employment opportunity.

About BioSTL

Since 2001, BioSTL has laid the foundation for St. Louis' innovation economy with a comprehensive set of transformational programs that advance St. Louis’ leadership in solving important world challenges in agriculture, medicine, healthcare, and other technology areas. BioSTL has introduced nationally acclaimed initiatives in startup creation and investment (BioGenerator Ventures), strategic business attraction, physical environment, entrepreneur support, inclusive workforce development, and public policy. Find us online at BioSTL.org and BioGeneratorVentures.com.