E11 Bio - Operations Lead

E11 Bio is a nonprofit organization tackling a neuroscience moonshot: developing a radical technology platform for scalable mammalian brain mapping. E11 is a focused research organization supported by Convergent Research. Our work will have an impact for neuroscience, the next generation of AI, but most importantly for the millions of people who suffer from neurological disorders. We are a collaborative, interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers working at the frontier of connectomics.

Read our technology roadmap.

E11 Bio is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to manage and mentor a small ops team and provide operational leadership across the organization’s systems.

This is a full-time, exempt leadership role responsible for ensuring scientific activities are supported by operational execution, managing the operations team, and building scalable systems that support E11’s continued growth. You will partner closely with scientific leadership to guide planning, manage risk, and ensure that ambitious technical goals are matched by operational rigor.

This is an onsite role based in Alameda, CA.

• Project Management
• Guide project planning processes across programs to ensure clarity of priorities, timelines, and interdependencies.
• Track project status across initiatives, proactively flagging risk and improving cross-project communication.
• Reduce organizational risk by day lighting project blockers, coordinating managerial response, and ensuring disciplined follow-through.

• Operational & Process Leadership
• Directly manage the operations team, including the Scientific Operations Manager, Lab Manager, and Office Coordinator.
• Introduce and institutionalize best practices in operational management.
• Evolve internal processes to be scalable, robust, and resilient as the organization grows.
• Forecast resource needs 1–2 quarters in advance, including capital purchases and operational capacity.
• Strengthen planning cadence and execution discipline across teams.

• Financial Oversight & Contracts
• Review and approve invoices and bill payments.
• Review budget sheets and general ledger coding for accuracy and alignment.
• Support financial forecasting and expenditure discipline across programs.
• Oversee contracts related to partnerships, facilities, vendors, and contractors in coordination with legal and accounting partners.

• People Leadership & Mentorship
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and development to members of the operations team.
• Offer developmentally relevant feedback and mentorship to managers and senior contributors across the organization.
• Introduce best practices in personnel management, performance feedback, and accountability.
• Strengthen a culture of professionalism, mutual respect, and operational excellence.

• Required:
• 8+ years of experience in operational roles within technical or scientific organizations + a track record of successful operational leadership.
• Experience directly mentoring and managing individual contributors.
• Strong financial literacy, including budget review, forecasting, and vendor contract oversight.
• Experience building or scaling operational systems in a growing organization.
  
  Proven ability to execute strategy through operational excellence.
• Demonstrated project management experience.
• Experience advising leadership on personnel management.
• Strong judgment, risk assessment, and organizational design skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build alignment across senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work onsite in a highly collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Strong references from managers, peers, and direct reports.

• Nice to have (not required):
• Experienced with meeting management and group dynamics:
  Driving the agenda, keeping the meeting on track, surfacing action items and tracking them to completion.
• Specific experience related to Neurotechnology, biotechnology, or a related scientific field.
• Experience in a research-focused nonprofit or startup environment.
• Familiarity with capital equipment planning and laboratory infrastructure scaling.

• By three months, you will have:
• Built trust with scientific and operational leadership.
• Develope…