BIO Alabama, the leading industry association for Alabama’s bioscience community, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to serve as the organization’s full-time executive leader. The CEO will report to the BIO Alabama Board of Directors and work closely with the organization’s Executive Committee to advance the organization’s mission, strengthen member value, and support the growth of Alabama’s bioscience ecosystem.

 

This position represents an important next step for BIO Alabama as the organization seeks dedicated leadership, strong operational consistency, expanded member engagement, and a sustainable financial model. The CEO will be responsible for executing strategic priorities, building partnerships, growing revenue, leading day-to-day operations, and positioning BIO Alabama as a trusted statewide voice for the bioscience industry.

 

Success in this position will require a collaborative, cross-sector approach. The CEO will continue building alliances among industry, government, academic, policy, workforce, and educational partners to advance Alabama’s bioscience sector and create greater connectivity across the statewide ecosystem.

 

About BIO Alabama

BIO Alabama’s mission is to cultivate a thriving bioscience ecosystem in Alabama that supports job growth, increased research funding, commercialization, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and recruitment of new organizations to the state. BIO Alabama advances this mission through advocacy, communications, collaboration, strategic networking, programming, and member support. Members include corporate organizations, research institutes, universities, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, service providers, and students.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Board Engagement

• Report to the BIO Alabama Board of Directors and work closely with the Executive Committee to set priorities, measure progress, and ensure accountability.
• Develop and execute strategic plans that advance the organization’s mission, strengthen statewide impact, and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Schedule and support Board meetings, prepare timely reports, and keep the Board informed of operational, financial, programmatic, and external developments.
• Implement Board directives, policies, and procedures in a professional, transparent, and consistent manner.

 

Member Engagement and Value

• Strengthen relationships with current members and develop clear, consistent value propositions for companies, universities, research institutions, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers.
• Identify, recruit, and retain members across Alabama’s bioscience, biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, digital health, agricultural bioscience, and related sectors.
• Create meaningful opportunities for members to connect with one another, engage with statewide partners, and advance shared industry priorities.
• Maintain a consistent communications strategy, including newsletters, social media, event promotion, member updates, and external messaging that elevates BIO Alabama’s brand.

 

Financial Sustainability and Operations

• Develop and manage annual budgets, oversee financial reporting, authorize expenditures, and keep the Board informed of current and projected financial conditions.
• Grow and diversify association revenue through membership dues, sponsorships, grants, events, programs, partnerships, and other appropriate funding sources.
• Support sound financial controls, transparent reporting, and effective coordination with the Board, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, accountants, consultants, and other service providers.
• Manage day-to-day operations, vendors, contractors, events, communications, and administrative functions needed to operate BIO Alabama effectively.

 

Ecosystem Development and External Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with state and local economic development organizations, universities, research institutions, workforce partners, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.
• Support efforts to recruit, retain, and expand bioscience companies in Alabama in coordination with public and private partners.
• Advance technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, incubation, acceleration, investment readiness, and connectivity between research assets and industry needs.
• Identify public and private funding opportunities, including federal, state, local, philanthropic, and industry-supported resources that can strengthen Alabama’s bioscience ecosystem.

 

Advocacy, Communications, and Public Representation

• Serve as a visible and credible spokesperson for BIO Alabama and the state’s bioscience sector with members, public officials, business leaders, media, educational institutions, and partner organizations.
• Work with the Board and members to identify policy priorities and support advocacy efforts that strengthen Alabama’s bioscience industry.
• Plan and execute conferences, meetings, awards, member programs, roundtables, and other events that support BIO Alabama’s mission and member engagement goals.
• Engage with and actively participate in BIO International activities, including the annual conference, regular calls, and related industry engagement opportunities.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy, bioscience, economic development, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant leadership experience in bioscience, business, economic development, association management, nonprofit leadership, public-private partnerships, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, manage programs, communicate effectively, and work with diverse stakeholders across industry, government, academia, and the nonprofit sector.
• Existing residency in Alabama is preferred; if not currently residing in Alabama, immediate relocation is required.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with bioscience, biotechnology, healthcare innovation, medical device, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, digital health, agricultural bioscience, or adjacent technology sectors.
• Experience with nonprofit or association management, board governance, member relations, sponsorship development, fundraising, grant writing, or grant management.
• Familiarity with Alabama’s economic development, workforce, academic research, commercialization, entrepreneurial, and public policy landscape.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the organization professionally with senior leaders and external stakeholders.

 

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

 

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter to Ms. Amendi P. Stephens at [email protected].

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

BIO Alabama provides and seeks equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, color, race, national origin, ancestry, religion, marital status, family care status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal and state laws.