Chief of Operations

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) owns operational execution across product development, IVD verification & validation, manufacturing readiness, and cross-functional delivery. Acting as the CEO’s operational counterpart, the COO ensures strategy is translated into clear priorities, realistic timelines, and coordinated execution across wetware, hardware, quality, regulatory, and (future) manufacturing functions. The COO reports to the CEO, while the head of Assay Development and Head of Engineering report to the COO. This is a hands-on role in a low-hierarchy scale-up environment, focused on enabling teams, managing complexity, and ensuring the company is operationally ready to validate, manufacture, and scale a regulated IVD product. This is a contract for at least 32 hours per week. We evaluate candidates on a rolling basis and seek to fill this position as soon as possible.

Rapidemic is a molecular diagnostic company based in Leiden, the Netherlands, founded in 2021 with the mission to make quality diagnostics accessible to all, worldwide. The company’s laboratory facilities and offices are located in the beating heart of the Leiden Bioscience Park, where our team of 15 scientists, engineers, quality and regulatory experts and management team works to raise the bar in infectious disease diagnostics.

Our product platform, RapiDetect^TM is the world’s first equipment-free molecular diagnostic test capable of diagnosing infections in a single visit with lab-grade accuracy. Our first product under development, RapiDetect^TM CT/NG, breaks down barriers to test for patients with a suspected sexually transmitted infection.

Join us in shaping a future where every individual can access the care they need. Be part of the team that’s changing the face of molecular diagnostics and shaping a healthier tomorrow. We're seeking an experienced and motivated Chief of Operations to join our team, shape the company’s trajectory and bring this device to patients in need. Let’s build the future together at Rapidemic!

Project, Product & Timeline Ownership

• Own cross-functional project and product management across R&D, product development, IVD verification & validation, regulatory activities, and early production.
• Monitor timelines, dependencies, and risks; escalate early and constructively.
• Ensure strong written and oral communication across teams and leadership.

Manufacturing & Scale-Up

• Oversee setup of manufacturing and all related activities, including supplier and CMO coordination.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness progresses in parallel with product development and validation.
• Track readiness milestones, risks, and go/no-go decisions without owning detailed technical design.

IVD Verification, Validation, Quality & Regulatory Enablement

• Oversee planning and execution of IVD verification and validation activities.
• Ensure quality and regulatory requirements are embedded early and scaled appropriately (QMS, documentation, validation studies).
• Coordinate internal teams and external partners (consultants, notified bodies, suppliers) to align timelines and responsibilities.

Operational Execution & Executive Support

• Translate company strategy into operational plans, milestones, and execution roadmaps.
• Establish a clear operating cadence (planning, reviews, decision forums) without unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Act as a trusted sparring partner to the CEO and ensure follow-through on decisions.

Cross-Functional Integration & Ways of Working

• Act as the integrator across wetware, hardware, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing functions.
• Enable alignment, resolve cross-functional friction, and support functional leaders as peers.
• Foster clarity, accountability, and collaboration.

Grants & External Commitments (Secondary Focus)

• Oversee planning, tracking, and reporting for grants and funded projects.
• Align grant and funding constraints with operational plans in collaboration with finance and the CEO.

• 6–12+ years of experience in operations, program management, product management, or leadership roles in IVD, medtech, diagnostics, or similarly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated experience setting up or scaling manufacturing for regulated products.
• Prior experience at an IVD company whose product progressed through verification and validation.
• Experience in roles such as COO, Head of Operations, Program-, or Project Manager with strong cross-functional ownership.
• Strong, proven project and program management skills, including excellent written and oral communication.
• Knowledge of molecular biology or microbiologyis a pre; deep technical expertise is not required.
• Comfortable working closely with highly technical teams and external partners.
• Able and willing to physically work on-site regularly(80%+).

• Competitive compensation and equity benefits package
• A unique opportunity to oversee company processes and be the CEO’s right hand in an innovative and rapidly growing company.
• Access to professional development opportunities for career growth and advancement, including training resources.
• Flexible schedule and work arrangements.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment.

What Success Looks Like:

• Product development, verification, validation, and manufacturing readiness are tightly aligned and predictable.
• Risks are identified early and managed proactively.
• Teams are aligned around clear priorities, timelines, and ownership.
• The transition from development into validation and early production feels controlled rather than rushed.
• External commitments are met reliably without distracting from core execution.
• The CEO can focus on strategy and external engagement, confident that execution is well owned.