Fractional Chief Scientific Officer

<p><strong>Company Description</strong> Altevere is a fractional executive advisory firm. We work with Canadian and European small and medium-sized companies that require strategic guidance but are not yet ready for full-time C-suite hires. The firm specializes in offering CEOs, COO, and business developmemt expertise on a part-time basis, typically 3 to 5 days per month, providing embedded leadership at a fraction of full-time cost. Clients benefit from a single point of contact and an accountable provider while accessing a bench of seasoned executives as needed. Headquartered in Ottawa, Altevere has strong regional presence across Ontario, Atlantic Canada and the UK and is actively expanding into underserved markets such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The organization focuses on flexible, impact-driven leadership engagements tailored to the needs of growing businesses.</p><p><strong>Role Description</strong> The Fractional Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) will serve as a strategic scientific leader for one or more client organizations, providing expert guidance on research, innovation, and technology development. This is a contract, remote role, typically involving a limited number of days per month, focused on shaping scientific strategy, validating technical roadmaps, and aligning research priorities with business objectives. Day-to-day responsibilities may include reviewing and advising on R&D portfolios, overseeing scientific governance processes, and helping establish standards for data integrity, experimental design, and regulatory readiness. The CSO will collaborate with client leadership teams to assess scientific risk, support funding applications and partnerships, and mentor internal science and innovation staff. The role also involves communicating complex scientific concepts to non-technical stakeholders, contributing to long-term innovation planning, and ensuring that scientific initiatives support sustainable growth.</p><p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p><p> </p><ul><li>Demonstrated experience in scientific leadership, such as heading R&D, research programs, or innovation portfolios in industry or applied research settings.</li><li>Strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making, with the ability to evaluate and prioritize multiple scientific initiatives.</li><li>Proven ability to develop and execute scientific and technology strategies that align with organizational goals and resource constraints.</li><li>Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., product, operations, finance, and regulatory) and translating scientific insights into actionable business recommendations.</li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex scientific information clearly to non-specialist audiences and executive stakeholders.</li><li>Track record of working in or with small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, or growth-stage organizations, ideally in a fractional, consulting, or advisory capacity.</li><li>Familiarity with relevant regulatory, ethical, and compliance considerations in scientific and technical fields applicable to client industries.</li><li>Advanced degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., MSc, PhD, MD, or equivalent) preferred,</li></ul>

Back to blog

Other Jobs To Apply

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...