Director of Strategy and Operations

About Panther

Panther is unlocking the power of the skin, the body’s largest, most responsive, and universally accessible immune organ, to deliver better health for all. Panther’s proprietary dissolvable microneedle array patch (MAP) technology delivers minute doses of thermostabilized treatments to precise locations below the skin’s surface.  There, the skin’s rich immune network activates systemic responses with improved efficacy and fewer side effects than current treatments. Panther’s solid-state treatments eliminate cold chain and sharps cost and complexity and its user-centric engineering enables direct patient and clinician interactions. 

Panther Life Sciences Corporation is applying the skin’s unique immune properties and advanced engineering to deliver shelf-stable, patient-centric, data-centric treatments to any/all consumers globally. Akin to Netflix in the media/content sector, Panther is partnering with and making its platform available to Pharma, Biotech, Cosmetics, and other firms to deliver a comprehensive pipeline of treatments in Panther’s microarray patch (MAP) application format.

Job Summary

Panther Life Sciences is seeking a strategic, execution-focused leader to join our team as Director of Strategy & Operations. In this role, you’ll help shape and drive the go-to-market strategy for our skin health platform, support early commercialization efforts, and lead key internal initiatives that enable our next phase of growth.

This role reports into the EVP of R&D but will collaborate closely with leadership across all departments. You’ll work closely with the CEO, CTO, and cross-functional teams to define market positioning, translate insights into product direction, and support high-impact storytelling for partners and investors.

We’re looking for someone who’s comfortable navigating ambiguity, moving between strategy and execution, and building from the ground up in a fast-paced startup environment. Your contributions will shape the way the company goes to market and launches products.

If you’re excited about launching new products, closing early partnerships, and building operational systems to support scale, all while advancing a mission-driven healthcare platform, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Responsibilities

1. Go-to-Market Strategy & Product Development

• Design and execute a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for Panther’s skin health line, with an emphasis on skin smoothness, acne, acne scars, and stretch marks.

• Define early product positioning, customer segments, and validation milestones to demonstrate the value of Panther’s platform.

• Conduct deep market research through public data analysis, competitor reviews, user group sessions, surveys, and early product testing.

• Identify and close Panther’s first commercial partnership, driving toward launch-readiness with clear revenue and learning targets.

• Translate market insights into actionable product and feature requirements for a companion skin health app, in collaboration with R&D, product, and design teams.
  

2. Fundraising & Strategic Storytelling

• Shape and refine Panther’s narrative for Series A fundraising and strategic partnerships, tailoring messaging to resonate with investors, pharma partners, and mission-aligned funders.

• Lead the development of high-impact fundraising materials, pitch decks, one-pagers, and supporting collateral.

• Serve as the lead storyteller, aligning external communications across investor updates, press releases, website content, and public engagements.

• Support executive leadership with key communication materials including funding proposals, conference presentations, and product launch announcements.

3. Organizational Strategy & Operational Enablement

• Design scalable team structures to support Panther’s growth across both its therapeutic and skin health businesses.

• Lead internal strategy on role clarity, priority setting, and focused hiring plans to support execution.

• Improve internal coordination by implementing simple, effective systems that reduce friction and accelerate progress.

• Map the relationship between Panther Corporation and Panther Trust, proposing governance models that ensure mission alignment while enabling operational efficiency.

• Collaborate with legal and finance teams to build structures that support diverse funding types—grants, philanthropic capital, and commercial revenue.
  

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in finance, strategy, product development, marketing, or organizational design, ideally within life sciences, digital health, or mission-aligned ventures

• Proven track record owning financial models, managing budgets, and supporting venture fundraising rounds (Series A/B+)

• Demonstrated experience leading market research and go-to-market initiatives for new product lines

• Strong understanding of accounting fundamentals; experience managing or interfacing with external accounting firms (CPA not required)

• Fluent in Excel/Google Sheets with familiarity using tools that provide internal dashboarding systems

• Strong written and visual communication skills, including preparing investor narratives, board materials, and cross-functional decks

• Experience with dual-entity structures (e.g., corporation + foundation) or familiarity with social enterprises and mission-driven commercial models

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-paced environments; able to self-direct, iterate quickly, and scale systems from scratch

• Curious, strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset—able to ask thoughtful business questions and connect the dots across teams

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and startup equity package

• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays

• Team events and company meetups

• Hybrid work culture