BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DIRECTOR

Position Summary

The position maintains a broad understanding of the Institute research portfolio and its potential applications. It involves close collaboration with Institute researchers, faculty, and administrative teams, as well as external relationships with corporations, investors, and other private entities to facilitate licensing, investment, startup creation, collaborations, and partnerships around Institute technology in support of long-term goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a business development strategy aligned with the overall Institute strategic plan.
• Supports the internal portfolio review and asset advancement processes by preparing analyses, materials, and recommendations for consideration by Institute leadership.
• Supports the Impact Fund Advisory Committee, setting agendas, coordinating presentations, and preparing committee recommendations for executive and board consideration.
• Provides market, competitive, and commercial insights to inform portfolio evaluation and prioritization decisions.
• Develops, nurtures, and maintains strong relationships with pharma and biotech companies, foundations, advocacy groups, bankers, VCs, and institutions which enhance the Institute’s ability to identify attractive opportunities and/or build new relationships.
• Oversees the quality and consistency of external-facing materials describing Institute technologies and partnership opportunities, with operational support as appropriate.
• Works effectively with teams and collaborates cross-functionally with scientific, technical, legal, and business experts to understand SBP science, assess the landscape of potential partners, and prioritize target opportunities for collaborations and/or licensing.
• Stays abreast of the research/development landscape and proactively identifies, investigates, and analyzes new opportunities for strategic “fit” and follows up to provide strong business leadership in assessing each opportunity and guiding long-range strategic direction through collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and other appropriate frameworks.
• Leads the development and negotiation of term sheets, licensing, corporate sponsored research agreements, and other partnerships in coordination with Legal and Institute leadership.
• Coordinates with Legal, Finance, and other relevant functions to support monitoring key contractual milestones and partner obligations.
• Oversees, develops, and guides subordinate staff in the business development department, when assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business or related field; Advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., M.B.A.) preferred.
• Experience: Combination of scientific training and business/commercial experience highly valued. 5-7 years of experience in business development, technology commercialization, strategic partnerships, or related functions within the life sciences.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to present term sheets demonstrating a successful track record of leading and executing transactions with an emphasis on academic research/pharma/biotech in-licensing and collaborations is highly preferred. Understanding of the drug discovery and development process. Working knowledge of the technology transfer processes and the lifecycle of intellectual property commercialization. Familiarity with basic intellectual property concepts (e.g., patents, licensing structures).