Cytek Biosciences
Director, Applications Platform
Cytek Biosciences, San Diego, California, United States, 92189
Cytek Biosciences is pioneering nextgeneration tools in flow cytometry and cell analysis. Through our
Full Spectrum Profiling
technology and integrated reagent/application platforms, we empower scientists to push the boundaries in immunology, oncology, cell therapy, and basic biology. We believe that blending precision instrumentation with thoughtfully designed reagents and applications is the path to enabling the most advanced experiments-faster, easier, and more informative. As Director of the Applications Platform, you'll define and drive the roadmap for Cytek's reagents and applicationbased solutions across RUO, ASR, and IVD markets. You'll lead a team of product managers and shape strategies across product development, marketing, and market analysis-ensuring our portfolio is tightly aligned with customer needs, market trends, and company growth goals. You will be a key crossfunctional leader, collaborating with R&D, operations, sales, marketing, service, business development, and executive leadership to deliver compelling, differentiated solutions. What You'll Own1. Product Strategy & Development
Architect a compelling, customerdriven reagent/application pipeline that balances innovation, time-to-market, and commercial impact.
Lead Voice of Customer (VOC) research, define product requirements, perform competitive benchmarking, and translate insights into actionable development plans.
Serve as a strategic partner to R&D and platform leads-ensuring new releases enhance the overall Cytek ecosystem.
Propose and defend new product concepts in Product Review Board sessions to drive longterm financial value.
2. Product Marketing & Commercial Readiness
Define the strategic positioning, messaging, and differentiation for the Applications Platform globally.
Set the team's annual goals, KPIs, and performance targets-monitor progress and pivot strategy as needed.
Collaborate with Marketing Communications to plan lead generation, promotional campaigns, technical marketing, and content.
Optimize eCommerce channels, drive recurring business models (consumables/subscriptions), and expand reagent market adoption.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with global Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) to inform product direction and credibility.
Orchestrate product launches from concept to commercialization, ensuring operational readiness across functions.
3. Market & Competitive Intelligence
Segment and size reagent/application markets; define target customer profiles and use cases.
Lead competitive intelligence workstreams-benchmark products, pricing, and strategic moves-and translate insights into competitive strategies.
Work with scientific leadership to develop data, proofs, and technical content that underpin product claims and differentiators.
4. Strategic & Business Planning
Contribute to annual revenue and growth planning; identify and prioritize growth drivers and high-impact opportunities.
Collaborate with strategic marketing and executive leadership to refine product roadmaps, positioning, and portfolio balance.
Identify capability or process gaps within the org, and drive organizational improvements (people, tools, processes).
Recommend partnerships, alliances, or acquisitions to fill gaps or accelerate time to market.
Represent the Applications Platform to the Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Boards, and other highlevel forums when necessary.
What We're Looking For
Required: Bachelor's in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)
10+ years in life sciences / biotech / diagnostics with substantive leadership experience
Proven track record in product management, marketing, strategic planning, and P&L accountability
Deep experience leading high-performing cross-functional teams
Strong skills in communication, presentation, persuasion, and strategy
Ability to navigate regulated environments; familiarity with IVD, ASR, or other regulated product contexts is a plus
Prolonged periods of desk/computer work and ability to lift up to 15 lbs occasionally
Travel expected, up to 30% (including international)
Preferred: Experience working in or launching regulated products (IVD, ASR)
Hands-on knowledge of cGMP, ISO 13485, regulatory processes
Track record of building new processes, systems, or departmental capabilities
Prior involvement in strategic partnerships, licensing, or business development
Compensation: SF Bay 194,000 - 242,500 San Diego 174,300 - 217,900 Cytek is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #LI-MM1
Full Spectrum Profiling
technology and integrated reagent/application platforms, we empower scientists to push the boundaries in immunology, oncology, cell therapy, and basic biology. We believe that blending precision instrumentation with thoughtfully designed reagents and applications is the path to enabling the most advanced experiments-faster, easier, and more informative. As Director of the Applications Platform, you'll define and drive the roadmap for Cytek's reagents and applicationbased solutions across RUO, ASR, and IVD markets. You'll lead a team of product managers and shape strategies across product development, marketing, and market analysis-ensuring our portfolio is tightly aligned with customer needs, market trends, and company growth goals. You will be a key crossfunctional leader, collaborating with R&D, operations, sales, marketing, service, business development, and executive leadership to deliver compelling, differentiated solutions. What You'll Own1. Product Strategy & Development
Architect a compelling, customerdriven reagent/application pipeline that balances innovation, time-to-market, and commercial impact.
Lead Voice of Customer (VOC) research, define product requirements, perform competitive benchmarking, and translate insights into actionable development plans.
Serve as a strategic partner to R&D and platform leads-ensuring new releases enhance the overall Cytek ecosystem.
Propose and defend new product concepts in Product Review Board sessions to drive longterm financial value.
2. Product Marketing & Commercial Readiness
Define the strategic positioning, messaging, and differentiation for the Applications Platform globally.
Set the team's annual goals, KPIs, and performance targets-monitor progress and pivot strategy as needed.
Collaborate with Marketing Communications to plan lead generation, promotional campaigns, technical marketing, and content.
Optimize eCommerce channels, drive recurring business models (consumables/subscriptions), and expand reagent market adoption.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with global Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) to inform product direction and credibility.
Orchestrate product launches from concept to commercialization, ensuring operational readiness across functions.
3. Market & Competitive Intelligence
Segment and size reagent/application markets; define target customer profiles and use cases.
Lead competitive intelligence workstreams-benchmark products, pricing, and strategic moves-and translate insights into competitive strategies.
Work with scientific leadership to develop data, proofs, and technical content that underpin product claims and differentiators.
4. Strategic & Business Planning
Contribute to annual revenue and growth planning; identify and prioritize growth drivers and high-impact opportunities.
Collaborate with strategic marketing and executive leadership to refine product roadmaps, positioning, and portfolio balance.
Identify capability or process gaps within the org, and drive organizational improvements (people, tools, processes).
Recommend partnerships, alliances, or acquisitions to fill gaps or accelerate time to market.
Represent the Applications Platform to the Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Boards, and other highlevel forums when necessary.
What We're Looking For
Required: Bachelor's in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)
10+ years in life sciences / biotech / diagnostics with substantive leadership experience
Proven track record in product management, marketing, strategic planning, and P&L accountability
Deep experience leading high-performing cross-functional teams
Strong skills in communication, presentation, persuasion, and strategy
Ability to navigate regulated environments; familiarity with IVD, ASR, or other regulated product contexts is a plus
Prolonged periods of desk/computer work and ability to lift up to 15 lbs occasionally
Travel expected, up to 30% (including international)
Preferred: Experience working in or launching regulated products (IVD, ASR)
Hands-on knowledge of cGMP, ISO 13485, regulatory processes
Track record of building new processes, systems, or departmental capabilities
Prior involvement in strategic partnerships, licensing, or business development
Compensation: SF Bay 194,000 - 242,500 San Diego 174,300 - 217,900 Cytek is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #LI-MM1