Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · 1 month ago
VP, Innovation Lab
Orange County, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$274K/yr - $383K/yr
15+ years expTarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Innovation to lead the next wave of eye care innovation from concept to clinical stage. This role involves mentoring the Innovation Lab leadership, advancing therapeutic opportunities, and transforming early concepts into clinically promising programs.
BiopharmaBiotechnologyLife Science
Responsibilities
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
Preferred
Incubator, startup, and entrepreneur-in-residence type experience is a plus
Benefits
Health, dental and vision insurance benefits
Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and personal days
Company
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Tarsus (NASDAQ:TARS) is a biopharmaceutical company that applies proven science and new technology to revolutionize treatment for patients, starting with eye care.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$710.6MKey Investors
Pharmakon AdvisorsVivo Capital
2025-03-12Post Ipo Equity· $125M
2024-04-19Post Ipo Debt· $75M
2024-02-29Post Ipo Equity· $100M
Leadership Team
Jeffrey Farrow
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer
Bobak Azamian
Chairman
Recent News
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc
2025-11-06
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc
2025-11-05
2025-11-05
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