Chief Scientific Officer
Gulf Coast Blood

Position Summary
A national search is underway to recruit a recognized executive with exceptional vision and leadership abilities to become the next Chief Scientific Officer of Gulf Coast Blood, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) serves as the senior medical and scientific leader of Gulf Coast Blood. The CSO is responsible for ensuring the highest standards in quality, clinical and operational excellence, and innovation across all laboratory and blood services, in addition to ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. This leader will oversee 4 direct reports who are responsible for Medical Advisory & Medical Services, Quality Assurance & Laboratory Services, and National Donor Testing Services.

As a physician and strategic thought leader, the CSO drives the organization’s quality and continuous improvement agenda while also serving as the medical expert to advise on future investments in the blood research investment fund which will advance translational initiatives. The CSO also oversees the scientific coordination of research partnerships, leads the medical advisory committee, serves as a part of the diligence team, and champions laboratory strategy and performance. This role is instrumental in aligning operational excellence with a forward-looking research and innovation agenda that supports the mission to save and sustain lives.

Key areas of responsibilities include:

• Donor Safety and Scientific Leadership 
• Regulatory and Quality Improvement Leadership 
• Research & Innovation Leadership 
• Laboratory Strategy & Advancement 

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of clinical and operational leadership experience in a transfusion medicine, laboratory, or healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated experience in quality improvement, scientific research, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with FDA, AABB, and CLIA regulations preferred.
• Growth oriented leader with success in creating and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Comfortable with data and proven ability to communicate and analyze data points.
• Recognized as a collaborator who builds bridges across disciplines and inspires innovation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and align medical priorities with organizational goals.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and strategic thinking skills.
• Passion for mentoring and developing scientific and clinical talent.
• Track record of publications or presentations in relevant scientific or medical forums.
• Mission-driven with unwavering integrity, ethics, and values.
• Exceptional communicator with strong verbal and writing skills.
• Creative, innovative, and adaptable.
• Resourceful, results-oriented, and resilient.
• Effective, efficient, and collaborative problem-solver.
• A Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree is required. 
• Board Certification in Transfusion Medicine, Pathology, Hematology, or related specialty strongly preferred.

Procedure For Candidacy
The organization will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration by the organization, inquiries, nominations, and applications (detailed CV for now) should be submitted electronically in confidence, to: charlotte.fredericks@kornferry.com