Deputy Director

Scion Executive Search has been engaged to conduct an immediate search for a Deputy Director for our client, a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to increasing East Asian American representation at the executive and board levels of the biotech and life sciences industries. This is a full-time, remote role with a strong preference for candidates based in the San Francisco, New York City, or Boston areas. The position is available immediately.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Deputy Director is a critical leadership hire for a fast-growing nonprofit at an exciting inflection point. This person will work in close partnership with the Executive Director to keep programming running at a high level while also contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. It is an inherently cross-functional role: one day might involve coordinating event logistics and managing vendors; the next might involve drafting a sponsorship proposal or thinking through how to measure community impact.

The ideal candidate brings a strong operational foundation, genuine comfort engaging with senior executives, and the kind of interpersonal warmth that makes people feel welcome and connected. Over time, this role is designed to grow into a true deputy position and an eventual path to organizational leadership.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Strategy & Executive Director Support

• Partner closely with the Executive Director to identify priorities, pressure-test ideas, and translate organizational vision into actionable plans.
• Contribute to the development of the annual program calendar and longer-term strategic initiatives.
• Provide reliable coverage of internal operations so the Executive Director can focus on external relationship-building and fundraising.

Programs & Events

• Take full ownership of the planning and execution of a diverse programming portfolio, including multi-day leadership retreats, intimate regional community dinners, and virtual convenings.
• Maintain consistently high event quality that reflects the expectations of a senior professional audience.
• Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and event volunteers to ensure seamless delivery.
• Build and refine systems for measuring program outcomes and the growth of the membership community.

Community & Member Engagement

• Cultivate genuine relationships with members across the organization's biotech and life sciences network, including founders, investors, board directors, and senior executives.
• Gradually take on a more visible external presence as a representative of the organization and its mission.
• Look for creative ways to keep members connected and engaged between in-person events.

Fundraising Support

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop compelling sponsorship materials and donor communications.
• Keep Salesforce records current and ensure timely follow-up on the development pipeline.

Operations

• Manage the day-to-day functioning of a lean organization, including internal systems, tools, and workflows.
• Identify gaps and implement improvements that allow the organization to operate more efficiently as it grows.
• Support the building of infrastructure, including staffing and processes, to sustain long-term scale.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5-10 years of professional experience in program management, nonprofit operations, events, communications, PR, or a related field.
• Proven ability to juggle multiple complex projects at once and build trust with senior-level stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator with the polish and confidence to engage C-suite and board-level audiences.
• Hands-on event planning experience, particularly with intimate, high-touch gatherings rather than large-scale conferences.
• Exceptionally organized and execution-oriented, with a track record of seeing projects through from start to finish.
• A genuine self-starter who brings energy and initiative rather than waiting to be directed.

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• Strong emotional intelligence and a natural ability to create spaces where people feel at ease and connected.
• Deep alignment with the mission of increasing diversity in executive leadership, and familiarity with or connection to East Asian American communities.
• A background in fundraising, business development, or partnership-building is a meaningful plus. Experience with Salesforce or a comparable CRM is helpful.
• Familiarity with the biopharma or life sciences sector is preferred but not required. Candidates from journalism, public radio, tactical marketing, or other fast-moving, externally-facing fields are strongly encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time remote role offers a competitive compensation range of $90,000-$120,000 (commensurate with experience), with flexibility for an exceptionally qualified candidate. Additional benefits include an $8,000 annual health stipend and flexible paid time off.

HOW TO APPLY:

For immediate consideration, please provide your resume and cover letter, sharing more about your experience and interest in this role via https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/14880/

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.