VP, Innovation Lab

About the Role

Tarsus is seeking a Vice President of Innovation, an entrepreneurial, outcomes driven, scientifically grounded, and commercially fluent leader to drive the next wave of eye care innovation from concept to the clinical stage. This individual will serve as a thought partner and mentor to the current talented Innovation Lab leadership and identify and advance high-potential therapeutic opportunities, and advance one or more innovation programs to clinic readiness on an annual basis, that will shape the future of Tarsus' portfolio.

This role is ideal for someone with a strong scientific foundation, a proven track record of rapid innovation, deep business insight, and a passion for creating and building new ventures to accelerate development from ideation to clinical proof-of-concept with a startup, creative entrepreneurial mindset. This leader will closely collaborate with senior leaders within the Innovation Lab and cross-functionally to transform early concepts into clinically and commercially promising programs within a rapidly growing organization, leveraging Tarsus’ strong organization-wide expertise and leadership in commercial, clinical, R&D, business development, and IP.

Let’s talk about some of the key responsibilities of the role:

• Shape and evolve the strategic direction and scaling of the Innovation Lab to align with Tarsus’ long-term growth ambitions through category creation.
• Lead the Innovation Lab team on the robust current innovation candidate pipeline, and identify further prioritization and acceleration opportunities.
• Analyze bold, science-driven opportunities based on promising therapeutic target biological mechanisms, including possible analogues outside of eye care, with the potential to redefine standards of care in eye care and related areas.
• Review and provide input on the robust, actionable business plans for early-stage assets, ensuring alignment with market needs and scientific feasibility, which results in programs moving to clinic readiness.
• Rigorously evaluate unmet needs and innovation white space through physician engagement, patient insights, biology, and commercial analysis.
• Navigate clinical, regulatory, and reimbursement considerations to build accelerated, creative, and realistic paths to proof-of-concept, including repurposing approaches, and identification and/or creation of translational disease models and preclinical proof-of-concept approaches with the objective of optimizing clinical probability of success.
• Integrate a strong business lens into early development, balancing technical potential with commercial viability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Business Development and Corporate Strategy, Regulatory, Clinical, Finance, and Legal/IP to ensure early programs are well-positioned to advance.
• Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership—offering clear, data-driven recommendations with business impact in mind.
• Communicate complex scientific and strategic concepts with clarity and influence, tailored to a range of stakeholders.
• Cultivate and supplement the existing network of KOLs, innovators, VCs, CROs, and academic partners to source and shape novel therapeutic concepts.
• Evaluate early-stage opportunities for internal incubation or external collaboration, using a disciplined, outcome-oriented approach.
• Expand upon frameworks for rapid iteration, enabling efficient validation of hypotheses and fast decision-making on go/no-go milestones.

Factors for Success:

• Advanced degree required: PhD, MD, or equivalent in life sciences or engineering; MBA or formal business training strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in biotech, pharma, or life sciences early-stage ventures, including hands-on innovation and early development leadership and success at the VP+ level. Incubator, startup, and entrepreneur-in-residence type experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated track record of strategic thinking that includes shaping strategy, executing with urgency, and delivering measurable outcomes in ambiguous environments that is in alignment with overall business strategy.
• Business acumen, with a strong understanding of ophthalmology preferred; adjacent specialty experience considered with a compelling innovation background.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to communicate with confidence to influence across functions and levels, and deliver succinct, strategic, and actionable insights to senior executives and the Board of Directors.
• Innovative mindset that fosters unconventional thinking to improve organizational performance. Creates the conditions for innovation, consistently grounded in patient outcomes. Employs sound judgment, with the ability to think creatively, act rapidly and decisively, take calculated risks, and maintain focus on delivering results.

A Few Other Details Worth Mentioning:

• The position will be based in our beautiful Irvine office, complete with a courtyard, snacks, drinks, and occasional catered meals. We provide a hybrid work environment and remote is an option
• We are passionate about our culture! Our Tarsans live our values of commitment to patients, empowerment to champion innovation, and teamwork to amplify impact!
• This position reports directly to the General Counsel
• Some travel may be required – up to 30%

At Tarsus, we understand the importance of attracting and retaining top talent. The expected base pay range for this position is $285,700 - $400,100 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits. The base pay range reflects the target range for this position, but individual pay will be determined by additional factors such as job-related skills, experience and relevant education or training. Our benefits include health, dental and vision insurance benefits to ensure your well-being. We believe in work-life balance and offer generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days. For more details regarding Tarsus benefits, please visit: https://eb.alliant.com/26tarsusbenefitssnapshot. 

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