Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), R&D Solution Consulting Greater Zurich, Switzerland Area

The Company is seeking a Chief Strategy Officer to lead its EMEA R&D Solution Consulting organization, serving as the scientific counterpart to regional leadership and partnering with sales and technical teams. The role involves advising senior R&D leaders, sponsoring major commercial opportunities, and translating the organization’s vision for AI-enabled research into practical plans for changing scientific workflows. The CSO will lead and develop two managers and their team, set standards for customer engagements, and build leadership capacity as the organization grows. They will also shape regional strategy, guide where expertise is focused, and share field insights with product and other internal teams. Candidates should bring substantial hands-on biotech or pharmaceutical R&D experience and a PhD or equivalent scientific depth, including experience running experiments, leading programs, and understanding how large R&D organizations make decisions and adopt change. The role requires a record of driving organizational or technology change, experience leading through managers, and executive presence with senior leaders. Commercial ambition and a clear perspective on AI’s impact on R&D are important; software sales experience is not required. Applicants should be fluent in English, with German or French an advantage. Experience with R&D platforms, customer-facing scientific or consulting work, or presales and solution consulting is also beneficial.

Hiring Company

Benchling