Board Member

Black Swans Exist
Job Summary:
The Chair of the Board is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing corporate governance, strategic direction, and high-level decision-making within the organization. This individual must possess a robust commercial understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, with particular expertise in selecting and managing external vendors essential to business operations. The Chair will work closely with the CEO, executive team, and board members to ensure the company’s strategic objectives align with best practices and industry regulations while maximizing operational efficiency and profitability.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Governance:
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Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Directors, ensuring effective corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
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Facilitate board meetings, ensuring productive discussions, effective decision-making, and adherence to the company’s vision and objectives.
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Serve as a key liaison between shareholders, the board, and the executive management team.
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Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices.
Strategic Commercial Oversight:
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Guide the board and executive team in making informed commercial decisions, particularly in vendor selection, procurement, and contract negotiations.
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Ensure alignment of vendor partnerships with the company’s strategic growth objectives, risk tolerance, and compliance requirements.
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Monitor industry trends and competitor activity to advise on commercial opportunities and risks.
Vendor Selection & Management:
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Oversee the development and implementation of policies for selecting and managing external vendors, including CROs, CMOs, and suppliers.
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Evaluate vendor relationships based on performance, cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and strategic fit.
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Ensure that vendor agreements align with corporate objectives, minimizing financial and operational risks.
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Promote the use of innovative and technology-driven solutions in vendor partnerships to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance:
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Oversee risk management strategies concerning external partnerships and regulatory compliance.
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Ensure due diligence and governance structures are in place when engaging external vendors.
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Collaborate with the executive team to mitigate risks associated with third-party dependencies.
Stakeholder Engagement & Industry Representation:
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Represent the company in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and high-profile networking opportunities.
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Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including investors, regulatory bodies, and strategic partners.
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Advocate for policies and business strategies that support the company’s competitive positioning in the pharmaceutical industry.
Qualifications & Experience:
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Extensive experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry, preferably in an executive or board-level capacity.
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Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of vendor management, procurement strategies, and industry-specific regulatory requirements.
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Proven leadership experience in corporate governance, board management, and high-level strategic decision-making.
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Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks, including FDA, EMA, MHRA, and GMP compliance standards.
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Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
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Demonstrated ability to navigate complex business environments and drive strategic growth.
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Experience working with or leading private equity-backed or publicly traded pharmaceutical organizations is advantageous.
Key Competencies:
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Strategic thinking and decision-making
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Strong financial and commercial insight
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Governance and compliance expertise
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Negotiation and relationship management
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Risk assessment and mitigation
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Effective leadership and team collaboration
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High ethical standards and professional integrity

Per Christensen
Managing Director & Co-founder
Per is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Black Swans Exist, a role he has held since the company's inception in June 2020. Based in Copenhagen, Per brings a visionary approach to the business, helping companies discover rare, high-impact talent, or "Black Swans," that drive extraordinary performance.
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