President / CEO

Axcend•Lehi, UT

17d

About The Position

Axcend is an exciting early-stage company with demonstrated market traction, changing the Life Science industry with our innovative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology. Our patented implementation of microflow liquid chromatography delivers dramatic improvements in compact design, portability, ease of operation, remarkable solvent and waste reduction, trace-level PAT inline process and sensitivity, for unparalleled performance. Markets include life science biopharma, drug discovery, precision medicine, biotech, DoD, radiopharmaceutical, chem/petrochem, oil/gas, academia, and more. We are seeking a dynamic, visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead Axcend through its next phase of growth. This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of a differentiated analytical instrumentation company with strong IP, proven product-market fit, and significant headway for global expansion. The ideal candidate combines deep life science or analytical instrumentation industry knowledge with a track record of scaling companies from early stage through successful exit.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in life sciences, analytical instrumentation, or a closely related industry, with at least 5 years in a C-suite or GM role
Demonstrated success scaling a capital equipment or instrumentation business from early/growth stage through a significant revenue inflection point and into sustained commercial traction
Direct experience with capital raising — ideally having led or co-led one or more funding rounds totaling $20M+
Experience operating at both large, established organizations (providing process discipline and enterprise relationships) and smaller, high-growth companies (providing scrappiness and speed)
Deep understanding of the HPLC, chromatography, mass spectrometry, or broader analytical instrumentation market
Strong commercial instinct with a track record of building and leading high-performing sales and go-to-market teams
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MS, PhD, or MBA) preferred. A technical education in life sciences, chemistry, or engineering is a plus

Nice To Haves

Existing relationships within the global biopharma, biotech, and life science research communities
Experience with Process Analytical Technology (PAT), inline/atline monitoring, or sustainability-driven instrumentation sales
Familiarity with drug discovery, precision medicine, DoD, radiopharmaceutical, or energy sector applications
Track record of at least one successful exit (acquisition or IPO) as a senior leader or CEO

Responsibilities

Define and communicate a compelling long-term vision and strategic plan that positions Axcend as a category leader in compact, sustainable HPLC technology
Identify and prioritize high-growth market segments — including biopharma, drug discovery, precision medicine, PAT, and defense — and align resources accordingly
Monitor competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and industry trends to inform product roadmap and go-to-market strategy
Drive aggressive revenue growth by scaling the commercial organization across domestic and international markets
Champion Axcend's disruptive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model and sustainability value proposition ("Green HPLC") to global biopharma and industrial clients
Build and nurture strategic partnerships, OEM relationships, and channel alliances to accelerate market penetration
Represent Axcend at major industry conferences, trade shows, and with key accounts
Co-lead future fundraising efforts, including venture capital, strategic investment, and/or debt financing rounds
Manage P&L with discipline, balancing growth investment against capital efficiency
Build and maintain strong relationships with investors, board members, and financial partners
Develop and execute a long-term value-creation strategy with an eye toward a successful liquidity event, whether through acquisition, IPO, or strategic recapitalization
Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier talent across all functions — sales, R&D, operations, marketing, and finance
Foster a high-performance, mission-driven culture rooted in Axcend's core values: integrity, passion, boldness, respect, humility, ownership, and fun
Establish scalable processes, systems, and organizational structures to support rapid growth
Oversee all company operations, ensuring product quality, supply chain reliability, and customer success
Coordinate cross-functional execution between sales, field application scientists, service, and R&D teams
Ensure regulatory compliance and IP protection across all markets