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 biosecurity, securing nearly $40 million in philanthropic funding, and supporting over 70 projects and incubated organizations focused on safeguarding AI-enabled biology and DNA synthesis. Sentinel Bio is at a critical juncture, facing an accelerating threat from AI-enabled biotech misuse while simultaneously benefiting from new philanthropic opportunities to enhance societal resilience. With its established track record and extensive network in biosecurity, AI, and philanthropy, Sentinel is uniquely positioned to address these challenges.

About the Role

Sentinel Bio is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead its organizational scaling efforts, with the goal of deploying over $100 million by 2030. The COO will be responsible for establishing and managing the internal infrastructure required to support the organization's growth at 2x, 5x, and 10x its current scale. This role is a key part of the leadership team, working collaboratively with the CEO, program leaders, and the Operations Lead to ensure organizational health. The COO will also represent Sentinel Bio externally and will be empowered to make significant independent decisions.

What You'll Own

• Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management: Act as a strategic leader, overseeing the operational landscape, proactively identifying risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities. Develop and implement Sentinel's operational strategy, including financial, HR, compliance, and program operations roadmaps.
• Partnership with Program Teams, Grantees, and Incubatees: Assist in establishing new biosecurity organizations from inception. Collaborate with program leadership to align resource allocation with strategic objectives. Represent Sentinel externally to legal counsel, partners, and other stakeholders.
• People, Culture & Hiring: Lead recruitment efforts in conjunction with the CEO and program team to attract and retain top talent. Build and manage the operations function, including direct supervision of the Operations Lead. Oversee onboarding, offboarding, compensation structures, and employee development across various jurisdictions and entities.
• Finance & Compliance: Manage Sentinel's financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and cash flow, in partnership 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 professionals on complex and high-risk matters.

About Sentinel Bio's Values

Sentinel Bio operates as a lean, high-trust team that values speed, dedication, and high standards, with a primary focus on mission impact. The team is guided by:

• Unwavering Integrity: Truthfulness and transparency, even when difficult.
• Relentless Prioritization: Efficient allocation of time, funds, and partner trust.
• Calibrated Humility: Acknowledging limitations while sharing credit and opportunities.
• Sustainable Ambition: Pursuing the mission diligently while seeking necessary support and accepting occasional failure.

About Sentinel Bio's Leadership and Team

Sentinel Bio is led by Claire Qureshi, who brings over 15 years of experience in biotech, global health, public policy, and consulting, and Joshua Monrad, who has a proven track record in philanthropic grantmaking and building biosecurity institutions. The organization has strong relationships with a diverse group of philanthropists committed to its long-term mission and is on track to deploy $100 million by 2030. Sentinel Bio is committed to building a diverse team that reflects the global community it serves, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will be deeply aligned with the mission, possess exceptional operational capabilities, and demonstrate mature judgment in complex, high-stakes environments. Key attributes include:

• Excellent Judgment: Ability to manage complexity, navigate ambiguity, and make sound decisions in critical situations.
• Exceptional People & Communication Skills: Proficiency in hiring, developing, and managing talent, with strong external representation skills (written, verbal, and in-person).
• Adaptability & Low Ego: Capacity to operate at startup speed with the rigor of a trusted philanthropy; strategic foresight combined with a willingness to handle day-to-day operational tasks.
• Mission-Driven: Passion for biosecurity and pandemic prevention, with a serious commitment to the mission.

While strength across all areas is not expected, candidates with the following experiences will be particularly valued:

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

Additional Information

Sentinel Bio has engaged EQL Tech for this search. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a compensated work test for strong candidates. Initial discussions are confidential.