Success Story
Executive Search: Clinical Operations Lead for Early Stage Biopharma Company
Background
A clinical-stage biopharma company preparing for a Phase 1b/2a trial needed a full-time Head of Clinical Operations to replace a consultant. The role demanded hands-on leadership at the site level, strong vendor and data oversight, and the ability to drive enrollment in a challenging patient population.
With IRB approval still pending and the company in early stages, the opportunity came with risk—requiring a candidate who could thrive in ambiguity and build trust across teams and advocacy groups.
The client needed support with:
Identifying a candidate with the behavioral traits needed to thrive in a high-risk, hands-on role.
Overcoming hesitations around startup risk and on-site demands for a niche patient population.
Ensuring the hire would align with internal team and communicate effectively externally.
Approach
The Mix team implemented a targeted executive search strategy built around our behavioral science and clinical operations expertise. To find the best candidate, we:
Assigned a seasoned executive recruiter and project lead with deep Clinical Operations domain knowledge.
Engaged our Consulting team to collaborate with the hiring manager, aligning on mission-critical behavioral competencies.
Delivered weekly talent maps outlining candidate roles, education, leadership history, and startup experience to align expectations.
Held recurring meetings to evaluate submissions, recalibrate targeting, and ensure progress toward a hire.
Results
147 candidates sourced
9 qualified submissions → 5 candidates interviewed → 3 completed Mix's behavioral interview and assessment process
Offer accepted: 16 days
Hired candidate accepted offer within 16 business days of initial submission
Start date: 32 days
Start date: 32 business days from presentation