Head of Operations

Jivanu Therapeutics | Bengaluru, India

About Jivanu Therapeutics

Jivanu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage microbiome company building the world's first closed-loop microbiome care platform, spanning precision diagnostics, AI-driven personalization, cGMP-manufactured therapeutics, and continuous outcomes tracking. Anchored in Bangalore with manufacturing operations in Mangalore, Jivanu integrates multi-omics sequencing, mechanistic AI, and next-generation therapeutic development to create a care system that learns and improves with every patient. Our mission is to transform microbiome science from a research curiosity into measurable, scalable clinical reality for Indian and global patient populations.

The Opportunity

Jivanu is at an inflection point. Our platform is moving from R&D to clinical deployment, and we are now building the operational and product infrastructure to bring it to patients at scale. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a founder-minded operator to join at the moment of launch and architect the systems that will define the company's next decade of growth.

The Role

The Head of Operations will be the operational and product execution engine of Jivanu Therapeutics. Reporting directly to the senior leadership, the HO will be responsible for end-to-end delivery of the closed-loop microbiome care platform, from research and cGMP manufacturing through product development, clinical implementation, and the continuous feedback loops that make the platform self-improving over time.

The full scope of operations, product, clinical partnerships, and care-delivery buildout sits within this role's purview. We do not expect one person to execute all of it alone. Within the first 6 to 12 months, the HO will recruit and lead a small team of 2 to 3 senior operators, owning manufacturing and diagnostics, clinical partnerships and care delivery, and product, reporting into them. The HO's job is to set strategy, hire the team, build the systems, and own the outcome.

The ideal candidate is a builder and systems thinker: someone who can translate a compelling scientific vision into rigorous operational reality, who understands that product development and clinical operations are two sides of the same coin, and who thrives in the organized ambiguity of an early-stage company with high conviction in its scientific thesis.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing & Diagnostics Operations

- Scalable, high-quality microbiome diagnostics operations from sample intake through multi-omics sequencing, generating the longitudinal data that underpins the entire platform.

- cGMP manufacturing of microbiome therapeutics across Bangalore and Mangalore, including pipeline readiness, regulatory compliance, and capacity in step with clinical demand.

- Continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, quality management systems, and site-level productivity.

Product & Platform Development

- End-to-end product development, from diagnostic kits and sequencing workflows to therapeutic protocols and digital tracking tools.

- Operational pipelines that convert diagnostic outputs into patient-specific intervention protocols, in partnership with the scientific and AI teams.

- A product culture grounded in measurable clinical outcomes, with every operational decision traceable to patient impact.

Clinical Partnerships & Care Delivery

- Strategic clinical partnerships with hospitals, clinicians, and health networks that embed the Jivanu platform into real-world care pathways.

- Buildout and launch of Jivanu's microbiome care delivery infrastructure, beginning with Bangalore in 2027 and with a clear roadmap for national expansion.

- Patient experience standards, implementation protocols, and access pathways that are both clinically rigorous and operationally scalable.

Team, Strategy & Cross-Functional Leadership

- Hire and lead a small team of 2 to 3 senior operators owning the functional domains above, plus the broader operations organization spanning manufacturing, diagnostics, clinical operations, partnerships, and product delivery.

- Foster a culture of accountability, scientific integrity, and patient-centered execution.

- Partner closely with the team leads to ensure operational plans are fully integrated with company strategy.

- Translate company strategy into concrete operational milestones with clear ownership, timelines, and accountability, including goal-setting, monthly reporting, and performance management.

- Partner with the leadership team on long-range planning, investor communications, and board-level reporting on platform and operational performance.

Regulatory & Compliance

- Ensure all operational and product activities meet applicable Indian regulatory standards (CDSCO, FSSAI where relevant) and international GMP benchmarks.

- Work proactively with regulatory affairs to anticipate and resolve compliance requirements tied to product approvals and clinical trials.

- Champion a company-wide culture of compliance, safety, and data integrity across all platform stages.

Who You Are

- Operator first. You have 10+ years of progressive operational and/or product leadership in biopharma, life sciences, diagnostics, digital health, or a closely adjacent regulated healthcare field, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Credentials matter less than what you have actually built and shipped.

- Multi-site, regulated-environment experience. You have run research, manufacturing, or clinical operations across more than one site, with clear accountability for outcomes, and you understand the operational requirements of GMP environments.

- Builder of teams and systems. You have hired senior operators, set up the systems they need to succeed, and scaled operations through periods of rapid growth.

- Product fluency. You have led product development from concept through clinical deployment, ideally spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, or digital health platforms.

- Partnership builder. You have a track record of establishing and sustaining institutional partnerships with hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, or comparable institutions.

- Grounded in Indian healthcare. You understand Indian healthcare infrastructure, the regulatory environment and the practical realities of clinical implementation across Indian settings.

- MBA, MPH, or advanced degree in a relevant scientific or management discipline, valued but not required if the operating track record is there.

Nice to Have

- Direct experience in microbiome science, genomics, or precision medicine.

- Background in launching or scaling clinic networks, diagnostic centers, or specialty care delivery models.

- Experience integrating AI or data-driven tools into clinical or product workflows.

Compensation, Location & Working Model

Compensation. Competitive cash compensation benchmarked to senior leadership at clinical-stage biotech in India, paired with meaningful equity that reflects the seniority and ownership of this role.

Location. Bangalore-based, with regular presence required at the Mangalore manufacturing site.

Travel. Expect 20-25% travel across India to establish clinical partnerships, oversee site buildouts, and recruit the team. Travel intensity is expected to decrease as the team scales and infrastructure matures.

Working model. On-site or hybrid based on the demands of the week; this is a role that requires regular physical presence at our facilities and partner sites. You will report to and work in close partnership with the co-founders, the team leads, and the scientific advisory board. You will inherit a strong scientific foundation and the early operational footprint at our Bangalore and Mangalore sites, and you will be expected to bring the operating discipline that lets us scale from here.

How to Apply

Send a CV and a cover letter describing the operation, product, or team you are proudest of having built, and what about Jivanu's mission makes this the next thing you want to build. We aim to respond to all serious applicants within two weeks.

Jivanu Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the patients and communities we serve.