CTO/COO - Cardiovascular devices

COO/ Head of R&D - Cardiovascular devices

Please apply via this link:

• Working arrangement: Hybrid

• Location:Noord Brabant, The Netherlands

• Commitment: 0.8–1.0 FTE

• Start date: Targeting March–April

• Compensation: Attractive base salary + equity

About the Company

On behalf of our client, we are supporting the search for a senior technology and operations leader for a medical device company operating in the cardiovascular space.

The company has been developing an innovative medical device for several years and has demonstrated strong clinical promise. It is now approaching a decisive phase focused on final product readiness, clinical execution, and preparation for market entry.

The organization operates with a lean internal team and works extensively with external engineering and manufacturing partners. The next phase requires strong internal ownership of the product, improved execution discipline, and reliable delivery against critical timelines.

Responsibilities

Overall Mission

Take full ownership of technical execution and R&D operations, ensuring the product reaches clinical and commercial milestones on time, with accountability, and with a protected, high-performing team.

R&D & Technical Ownership

• Own the complete medical device system from requirements through validation and clinical readiness
• Translate clinical and market requirements into clear, stable technical specifications
• Ensure robust design, verification, validation, and documentation suitable for regulatory scrutiny
• Act as the internal technical authority when interacting with external partners

External Supplier & Project Management

• Lead and control outsourced R&D activities across mechanical, electronic, and software domains
• Define, challenge, and enforce supplier requirements, deliverables, timelines, and accountability

• Actively manage multiple parallel projects and external stakeholders

• Intervene directly to remove blockers and resolve execution issues

Operational Excellence (R&D Focus)

• Establish realistic and reliable R&D timelines and milestones

• Prevent scope drift, unclear ownership, and moving targets

• Ensure the company (not suppliers) owns the system, decisions, and outcomes

People Leadership & Coaching

• Lead, coach, and develop a small multidisciplinary team

• Create clarity on roles, responsibilities, and expectations

• Implement regular one-on-ones, prioritization, and performance follow-up
• Protect team members from unmanaged pressure and misaligned accountability

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Quality & Regulatory to ensure compliance is embedded, not bolted on

• Support clinical readiness and trial preparation

• Enable the CEO to focus on fundraising and external stakeholders by stabilizing execution

Operations (phase 2)

• Oversight of service operations

• Interface with supply chain and manufacturing partners

• Contribution to scaling operational processes post-clinical phase

The initial focus remains on R&D execution and technical ownership; any expansion of scope will be phased and aligned with the CEO.

Requirements

Experience & Background

• Proven experience leading R&D operations for medical devices, ideally in a startup or scale-up environment
• Strong background in hardware-based medical devices (electro-mechanical systems)

• Experience managing highly outsourced development models

• Track record of delivering complex projects under time and resource constraints

Technical Profile

• Broad technical understanding across mechanical, electronics, and software (hands-on design not required)
• Able to challenge suppliers and internal teams with confidence and credibility
• Comfortable translating ambiguous clinical input into clear technical direction

Leadership & Ways of Working

• Highly accountable, structured, and execution-focused

• Comfortable making decisions with imperfect information

• Hands-on, pragmatic, and not reliant on heavy corporate processes

• Strong people leader who coaches rather than delegates blindly

• Communicates directly and effectively; picks up the phone when needed

What This Is Not

• Not a purely strategic or advisory CTO role

• Not a software-only leadership position

• Not a role for someone who avoids operational detail