The Hong Kong Genome Institute (“HKGI”) is a company limited by guarantee and wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. Established in 2020, HKGI is responsible for advancing the clinical application and long-term development of genomic medicine in Hong Kong and supporting the integration of genomics into the healthcare system.
Since its full operations in 2021, HKGI has established a comprehensive genomic medicine infrastructure, including genomic laboratory, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis and genetic counselling capabilities, while expanding participation across multiple public hospitals. Through the Hong Kong Genome Project (“HKGP”), more than 65,000 participants have been recruited, creating one of the most significant emerging genomic resources for the Southern Chinese population and providing a strong, core foundation for clinical diagnosis, scientific research and innovation.
As HKGI enters its next phase of development, building upon the foundations of HKGP, the Institute is dedicated to translating genomic data into meaningful clinical, research, and societal impact. By expanding its resources to maintain one of the most comprehensive Southern Chinese genomic datasets, HKGI is accelerating the integration of precision medicine into mainstream healthcare delivery.
To reinforce Hong Kong's position as a leading international health and medical innovation hub, HKGI is actively collaborating with public research institutions on impactful projects that foster innovation and create clear pathways for market applications. At the same time, the Institute is establishing strategic local and global partnerships to enhance its visibility, elevate its standing within the international genomics ecosystem, and drive the commercialisation of research findings. Complementing these efforts, HKGI is committed to developing and driving targeted education initiatives designed to build essential genomic literacy among both healthcare professionals and the public. We are now inviting suitable candidates for the following vacancy:
Chief Administrative Officer
The Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”) leads HKGI’s corporate services across finance and procurement, human resources, legal, intellectual property, data protection, corporate governance and compliance, corporate secretariat, and corporate communications. The CAO is responsible for putting in place best practices for areas of work across this portfolio, while shifting HKGI’s internal machinery from baseline administrative set-up to long-term institutional sustainability, operational resilience and commercialisation readiness
Key Responsibilities
- Support HKGI’s Board of Directors and Advisory Committees and oversee the work of the Corporate Secretariat.
- Spearhead HKGI’s people strategy by mapping out talent attraction and staff retention policies and overseeing their implementation to build a sustainable staffing structure in support of the Institute’s continued growth and development
- Optimise corporate operations and governance infrastructure to support HKGI’s transition from a project/start-up environment into a sustainable corporate institution, including strengthening finance and procurement, human resources, compliance, risk management and internal control frameworks
- Oversee corporate communications, showcasing HKGI efforts locally and in the international arena
- Enhance financial governance and commercialisation infrastructure by developing cost-recovery models, strengthening funding and budgeting processes, supporting public-private partnerships, and implementing robust intellectual property asset management systems
- Act as the operational custodian for institutional risk management and data privacy enforcement, translating ethics, legal and data-protection requirements into effective internal controls for HKGI’s work with sensitive genetic data
Key Requirements
- Holder of a Bachelor’s degree awarded by a university in Hong Kong or equivalent, preferably in business administration, accounting, financial management, human resources or related disciplines
- Relevant professional qualification(s) is an advantage
- A minimum of 15 years’ relevant post-qualification experience, at least 8 years of which at the senior management level overseeing human resources, financial management, corporate governance and compliance, and general administration
- Comprehensive background in corporate operations, governance, and financial stewardship and committee-based decision-making
- Deep operational experience within Hong Kong’s subvented organisations, statutory bodies, or complex healthcare networks is preferred. A thorough understanding of public funding mechanisms, government auditing standards, and committee-based decision-making
- Proven track record as a CFO or senior financial controller who has successfully navigated an organisation through commercialisation, or a transition toward a self-funding model is an advantage. Experience in structuring complex joint ventures or public-private partnerships is highly valued
- The ability to scale an organisation's culture and structural design from a project-based "startup" environment into a mature, sustainable corporate institution
- Exceptional capability in talent acquisition, workforce planning, and performance management
- Ability to translate high-level scientific and strategic visions into actionable, measurable internal workflows across various administration departments managed by CAO
Application
The closing date for applications is 8 October 2026. HKGI is represented by DHR Global. Interested applicants may send a letter of application indicating the position applied for, together with a full CV, current and expected salaries, and date of availability to DHR Global –
By email: hkgi-cao@dhrglobal.com to submit your application, or
By clicking the APPLY button on this job posting site.
Applicants not invited for interview within 8 weeks from the closing date may consider their applications unsuccessful.
Personal data provided by job applicants will only be used for job application processing. All personal data of unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed within 6 months upon completion of the relevant recruitment exercises.
HKGI is an Equal Opportunities Employer.