Chief Operating Officer

About Sentinel Bio

Sentinel Bio is dedicated to preventing future pandemics by identifying, funding, and scaling promising initiatives. Since its inception in 2024, the organization has been instrumental in advancing the biosecurity field, securing nearly $40 million in philanthropic funding and supporting over 70 grants and incubated organizations focused on safeguarding AI-enabled biology and DNA synthesis. Sentinel Bio is poised to deploy over $100 million by 2030, addressing the escalating threat of AI-enabled biotech misuse and leveraging new philanthropic opportunities to enhance societal resilience.

About the Role

Sentinel Bio seeks an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead its organizational scaling efforts. The COO will be responsible for building the internal infrastructure necessary to support the organization's growth to 2x, 5x, and 10x its current capacity. This strategic leadership role involves close collaboration with the CEO and leadership team, independent decision-making, and external representation of Sentinel Bio.

What You'll Own

• Provide strategic leadership and oversee the operational landscape of Sentinel Bio, proactively identifying risks, inefficiencies, and growth opportunities.
• Develop and implement the organization's operational strategy, encompassing multi-year roadmaps for finance, human resources, compliance, and program operations.
• Support the establishment of new biosecurity organizations from inception to operational maturity.
• Collaborate with program leadership to align resource allocation with strategic objectives.
• Represent Sentinel Bio externally in dealings with legal counsel, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Lead recruitment efforts in partnership with the CEO and program team to attract and retain top talent for the organization and its portfolio.
• Establish and manage Sentinel Bio's operations function, including direct supervision of the Operations Lead.
• Oversee all aspects of employee lifecycle management, including onboarding, offboarding, compensation structures, and professional development across various jurisdictions.
• Manage the organization's financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and cash flow, in conjunction with the Operations Lead and external controller.
• Ensure adherence to all nonprofit regulations, including filings, audits, and governance, working closely with external legal and accounting advisors on complex compliance matters.

About the Team and Values

Sentinel Bio operates as a small, high-trust team that values speed, dedication, and high standards, with a primary focus on mission impact. The team is guided by principles of unwavering integrity, relentless prioritization, calibrated humility, and sustainable ambition. The organization is led by Claire Qureshi and Joshua Monrad, with extensive experience in biotech, global health, public policy, and philanthropic grantmaking. Sentinel Bio is committed to building a diverse team that reflects the global community it serves.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess a strong alignment with Sentinel Bio's mission, demonstrate operational excellence, and exhibit mature judgment in complex and high-stakes environments. Key attributes include excellent judgment, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, a flexible mindset with a low ego, and a deep commitment to the mission of biosecurity and pandemic prevention.

While a comprehensive skill set is not expected, candidates with experience in the following areas will be particularly valued:

• 8-12+ years of experience in operations and organizational leadership, with a proven track record of managing complex projects from start to finish.
• Experience building operational infrastructure from the ground up in a small organizational setting.
• Proficiency in budgeting, financial forecasting, reporting, and nonprofit compliance, with a preference for US 501(c)(3) experience.
• Background in philanthropic grantmaking, biosecurity, or related high-impact nonprofit sectors is advantageous.

Additional Information

Sentinel Bio has engaged EQL Tech to manage this recruitment process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a compensated work test for strong candidates. Initial discussions will be kept confidential.