Who We Are

BlackThorn Therapeutics is a neurobehavioral health company developing targeted therapeutics, informed by a deep understanding of brain and behavior relationships, to significantly improve patient outcomes. The company has pioneered a proprietary computational psychiatry platform, which leverages bioinformatics, neuroinformatics and artificial intelligence technologies, with the goal of determining a patient's distinct neuroprint to inform the proper on-target treatment option for biologically defined patient subtypes. BlackThorn Therapeutics has completed a Phase 1 trial of BTRX-335140, a selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist, and is conducting IND-enabling studies for BTRX-323511, a selective vasopressin 1a receptor antagonist. The company also has a drug discovery program directed at novel therapeutic targets for neurobehavioral disorders. 


The Position

The Chief of Staff to the President/COO is a critically important role, enabling the President/COO to efficiently and effectively work with internal and external stakeholders and fulfill his commitments. This is not an administrative support role; it is a strategic and facilitative role that requires a combination of focus and flexibility, as well as a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role. As the President/COO’s trusted counsel, the role requires a highly resourceful individual with strong emotional intelligence, strong ability to build trusting relationships, self-motivation, and strong analytical skills.

Working as a right hand to the President/COO, this position will be immersed in strategic and operational analyses and planning as well as take a lead role in driving large projects within the business, giving the COS deep insight and access to the organizational strategy and direction. The COS will have the opportunity to participate in formulating and implementing strategies to help support Company business objectives. The COS will compile reports for the President/COO and Board of Directors, in a succinct format, enabling the President/COO to quickly understand where the business is and the issues it faces. The COS may also serve as a surrogate for President/COO and drive the preparation and follow-up from internal meetings (e.g., setting agendas, circulating minutes). This position will quickly be expected to formulate opinions and help design and implement action/project plans.  

Responsibilities:

  • On behalf of the President/COO co-lead strategic program and project initiatives including leading the annual Company Goals development and tracking
  • Interact as a partner with the Executive Team (and Department Heads) to ensure business objectives are being met and that critical issues or questions are communicated to the President/COO as needed
  • Lead market research to support growth opportunities as needed (e.g., indication selection, pipeline prioritization, TPP development)
  • Attend business meetings with the President/COO and provide a different perspective on current issues
  • Act as a lead on Board Meeting preparation and logistics.  Will work with key stakeholders to ensure information is compiled, presentation is complete and material is distributed to the Board well in advance.   
  • Collaborate with EA to schedule regular Executive Team and Senior Leadership Meetings.  Work with the President to set agenda and lead (or co-lead) meetings, responsible for tracking meeting outcomes and deliverables. 
  • Work closely with Corporate Affairs to help set agenda and communication for All Minds Meeting
  • Working closely with the President/COO to identify and prepare for critical thought leadership engagements
  • Partner with President/COO and Human Resources to build and support company culture


Critical Core Competencies:

  • Highly-developed interpersonal and communications skills (written/verbal), including the ability to develop and present executive-level presentations
  • Results/action-orientation; project management skills 
  • Organizational and political agility; developed negotiation skills 
  • Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust 
  • Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment 
  • Strong strategic/financial analysis skills


Who You Are 
The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, strategic, proactive, highly-organized and able to build trusting and professional relationships with peers. 

Advanced degree (MBA, PhD, MD, JD, etc.) coupled with 3-6 years experience working in or serving the life sciences industry required, which may include management/strategy consulting or private equity or legal experience. 

  • Strong leadership presence
  • Willingness to work hard and take direction, ownership and accountability for work but also creatively solve problems without obvious answers
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative, suggest improvements to current systems as well as establish new processes 
  • Excellent analytical skills and strategic agility 
  • Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy 
  • Willing to get involved in ad hoc projects with a can-do attitude 
  • Ability to both influence key stakeholders as well as drive for decisions and outcomes when necessary 
  • Able to thrive in a highly dynamic, fast paced, continuously changing environment with minimal oversight/direction


We are an Equal Opportunity Employer offering a competitive salary and benefits package. Applicants should be legally entitled to work for any employer in the US. 

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.

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