Chief Organization Officer

Job Title : Chief Operating Officer (COO)Status: Full TimeLocation : Primarily on-site – Liège laboratory, BelgiumSalary : CompetitiveReporting to: CEOCompanyToday, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions making them less accessible unless we do something about it.Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world. Signatur Biosciences is a startup based in Liege, Belgium, and London, UK.We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company; we value speed, ownership, and execution over bureaucracy; employees think like owners and collaborate closely with one another.We are seeking a highly motivated and driven COO to join our team. In this role, reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for operationalising the strategy and ensuring the company runs efficiently, predictably, and at speed as we transition from development to commercial-stage operations. You will work closely with the entire team, including quality, regulatory, R&D, HR, laboratory operations and finance and further build on these existing competencies to develop a fully integrated manufacturing capability.If you are a hands-on, execution-driven operator with deep experience in regulated IVD environments, a strong sense of ownership, and a bias for action, we'd love to speak with you.About the roleAs COO, you will take full ownership of operations, manufacturing execution, and quality system implementation at the Liège site, ensuring that Signatur Biosciences scales efficiently while remaining compliant with ISO 13485 and IVDR requirements.You will be accountable for the on-site team in Liège (currently ~6 people and expanding), providing senior leadership to translate company strategy into concrete execution and ensuring a high-performing and motivated team as part of an international organizationAs COO, you will be an integral part of the executive team, working closely with the CEO, to help shape and develop the organization to ensure the successful execution of the company's strategy.This is not a corporate or purely strategic role — it is a hands-on leadership position, embedded in the lab and close to the work.Success in this role means that teams are empowered, decisions are taken at the right level, and the company operates with clarity, speed, and confidence.Main ResponsibilitiesEnd-to-end operational execution across manufacturing, quality, and internal processesOwnership of manufacturing operations, including day to day execution, scaleup readiness, commercial distribution and alignment with quality and regulatory requirements,Operational interfaces with suppliers, partners, and external vendors, including supplier agreements, cost control, and active management of COGSEnsuring successful interface with development to enable efficient transfer of products into routine manufacturing and distributionIVDR readiness by coordination of regulatory driven operational activitiesInternal operating cadence and prioritisation, keeping processes lean and fit for purposePeople and Functional DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop the on-site operations team, providing hands-on support where neededFoster a culture of ownership, accountability, and deliveryWorking with external HR providers ensure compliance, and seamless integration, of all national legal employee requirmentsSet clear expectations and provide timely, direct feedback to help individuals and teams perform at their bestMake sound people decisions that support a high-performing and resilient organisation.Ensure roles, responsibilities, and decision rights are clearly defined and understoodProject and Product DeliverySupport the development and translation of company strategy into clear operational priorities and executable plansEnsure on-time delivery of key operational, manufacturing, and quality milestonesBe fully accountable for COGSCoordinate cross-functional execution across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and external partnersIdentify risks early and take corrective action to keep projects on trackSupport the transition from development activities to commercial stage operationsTechnical ExpertiseStrong operational understanding of IVD manufacturing processes and constraintsHandson experience operating within ISO 13485compliant quality systemsAbility to balance regulatory requirements with speed and pragmatism in executionSound judgment in scaling manufacturing processes while maintaining quality and complianceComfortable engaging on technical topics with scientists, clinicians, and external partnersSkills, Experience & AttributesEssential Skills/ExperienceStrong experience in IVD or medical device operations, ideally molecular diagnosticsSolid hands-on knowledge of ISO 13485 and regulated manufacturing environmentsStartup experience from early development through early commercial stagesPragmatic, hands-on operator with a strong bias for actionComfortable being present on site and close to executionSenior leadership in a dynamic environmentDesirable Skills/ExperienceDirect experience with IVDR implementation or preparationManufacturing scaleup experience in diagnostics or medical devicesKey CompetenciesOwnership over consensusSpeed of executionClear decisions and follow-throughBuilding systems that enable people to move fast and do great workBenefitsBase salary + equityAnnual leavePrivate medical insuranceMeal vouchersOther benefits to be definedAs we continue to grow, our benefits package may evolve. The benefits outlined above are accurate as of the job posting date, but may differ at time of hire.Signatur Biosciences is an equal-opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.