Founder's Associate

Location: New York City or San Francisco (Preferred)
Reports to: CEO
Employment Type: Full-Time

About LionBio

LionBio is building a next-generation drug delivery platform powered by proprietary nanoparticle technology. Our lead program, Nosempic, is an intranasal GLP-1 designed to deliver the benefits of metabolic therapies through a novel nose-to-brain pathway.

Beyond our initial obesity program, we're building a broader platform capable of delivering peptides, biologics, and other therapeutics across a range of indications, including neurological diseases.

Backed by leading investors and world-class scientific founders, LionBio is bringing together biotechnology, AI, and company-building to create the future of drug delivery.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Founder's Associate to work directly with the CEO across every aspect of building the company.

This is not a traditional assistant role. You will operate as the CEO's force multiplier—owning projects, solving problems, building systems, and helping drive execution across fundraising, operations, hiring, business development, research, and strategy.

You'll have a front-row seat to the creation of a venture-backed biotech company while taking on meaningful ownership from day one.

What You'll Do

CEO Office & Operations

• Partner directly with the CEO to drive execution across company priorities

• Coordinate meetings, action items, communications, and strategic initiatives

• Support board, investor, advisor, and partner communications

• Manage critical operational workflows and keep high-priority projects moving

Fundraising & Investor Relations

• Maintain investor pipelines, CRM systems, and fundraising processes

• Prepare investor materials, diligence documents, and data room resources

• Draft investor updates and board communications

• Support fundraising strategy and meeting preparation

AI & Systems Building

• Help build LionBio as an AI-native company from day one

• Evaluate and implement AI tools across operations, research, and communication workflows

• Create internal systems that improve decision-making, knowledge management, and execution

• Build scalable workflows that allow a small team to operate with outsized leverage

Strategy & Research

• Conduct market, scientific, competitive, and operational research

• Translate company goals into execution plans, timelines, and milestone tracking

• Support major decisions with structured analysis and recommendations

• Help identify risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities as the company scales

Business Development & Partnerships

• Support outreach and relationship management with partners, vendors, and service providers

• Assist with diligence, negotiations, and strategic initiatives

• Help evaluate new partnership and growth opportunities

Hiring & Team Building

• Coordinate recruiting efforts across technical and business functions

• Source candidates and manage interview processes

• Help build the systems, culture, and operating cadence that support company growth

Who You Are

• Exceptionally organized and highly reliable

• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and solving problems independently

• Strong written and verbal communicator

• Naturally curious and excited to learn across science, business, and operations

• AI-native and enthusiastic about using technology to improve workflows

• Willing to take ownership of both strategic projects and day-to-day execution

• Motivated by building something from the ground up

Preferred Qualifications

• 0–3 years of professional experience

• Experience in startups, consulting, venture capital, investment banking, biotech, healthcare, or related fields

• Interest in biotechnology, healthcare, or scientific innovation

• Experience building systems, workflows, dashboards, or operational processes

• Mandarin language skills are a plus

• Familiarity with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Notion AI, or similar platforms

Why Join LionBio

• Work directly alongside the CEO on the highest-priority challenges facing the company

• Gain exposure to fundraising, strategy, operations, hiring, product, and business development

• Help build a company at the intersection of biotechnology, AI, and healthcare

• Receive mentorship and responsibility typically reserved for much more senior roles

• Join early enough to help shape the culture, systems, and future of the company

• Follow a clear growth path toward Chief of Staff, Operations leadership, and beyond

Compensation

• Base Salary: $60,000–$100,000

• Equity: Meaningful early-stage equity participation

• Internship and full-time opportunities available depending on experience

What Success Looks Like

During your first year, you'll help build the operational foundation of the company, establish scalable systems, support fundraising and strategic initiatives, and become a trusted partner across every major function of the business.

By the end of your first year, you will be recognized as a key operator helping LionBio move faster, make better decisions, and execute at a higher level.