Senior Director, Business Development & Corporate Strategy - ElevateBio

Location: This role can be based out of Waltham, MA or Durham, NC

The Role:

The Senior Director, Business Development and Corporate Strategy will be a core part of the ElevateBio team responsible for executing the company’s BD plans and helping to shape the governing BD strategy. This role will have a direct impact on extending the reach of the company’s technologies and capabilities through formation of external partnerships, and on strengthening the foundation of the company’s platforms through accessing external innovation. The successful candidate will be expected to play a lead role in identifying meaningful deal opportunities; evaluating new technologies or assets; structuring and negotiating business deals; and closing transactions that help fuel company growth.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Work as an integral part of the business development team and with peers in related departments to strengthen ElevateBio’s position in the cell and gene therapy field
• Identify and evaluate compelling growth opportunities, and establish important new collaborations and partnerships
• Serve as the BD point person for select deals to take ownership of and drive execution of activities through the course of the deal lifecycle
• Manage cross-functional teams of varying sizes to carry-out necessary deal activities, including the performance of due diligence, competitive analysis, and deal scoping activities
• Establish and strengthen relationships with potential external partners throughout the course of contacts, conversations, and deal activities
• Present deal information and make transaction proposals to senior leadership to advance opportunities through internal governance and decision-making processes
• Negotiate deal terms and contracts in close partnership with Legal, IP, Finance and other relevant departments within ElevateBio
• Develop a depth of understanding for identified scientific topics/disease area/asset classes and generate/maintain landscapes and competitive intelligence to ensure visibility to emerging opportunities and changes in the environment
• Convey the story of ElevateBio to external parties, and develop materials that articulate the value proposition of the company’s technologies and capabilities
• Attend industry conferences and meetings to scout for new opportunities and engage with external companies on potential partnership
• Lead or participate in various other activities to help craft and evolve ElevateBio’s business strategy
• Provide mentorship or training to more junior staff within the BD team, and/or other department team members working on BD projects

Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• Scientific or technical degree relevant to the biopharmaceutical field. Other degrees considered based on professional experience.
• 10 or more years of relevant experience in the biopharma industry, or a combination of industry experience combined with management consulting or investment banking
• Deal making track record, having led or played a key role in multiple closed transactions, especially on the sell-side
• Experience with R&D-stage business development, including opportunity sourcing, deal structuring and negotiations
• A breadth and depth of familiarity with the biopharma drug development process in addition to an understanding and expertise in business development
• Proficient biopharma commercial/market awareness with good understanding of key drivers that underpin commercial assessments and valuations
• Strong understanding of biopharma deal structures
• Keen analytical skills, including the ability to identify key inputs and outputs for models or other evaluations (financial, technical, etc.), and understanding the interrelation between critical components

• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with senior leaders, along with R&D, Legal and Finance teams; outstanding collaboration skills with an array of colleagues is essential for success in this job
• Strong leadership skills necessary to effectively lead cross-functional deal teams and navigate corporate structures (i.e., must have strong organizational savviness)
• Proven ability to work with partners and interact effectively with executive management or C-Level decision makers at external companies
• Ability to understand complex scientific ideas and effectively communicate their value proposition to key internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, with the ability to compellingly articulate, influence, and work successfully with varied audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with a high level of agility
• Highly effective influencing skills in challenging, ambiguous, or changing environments
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed to attend industry events or participate in meetings

Additional Beneficial Qualifications:

• MBA degree or other advanced degree in a related field (MD, PharmD, MS or PhD)
• Direct experience in the cell therapy and/or gene therapy space
• Established network of senior contacts within the cell and gene therapy space, and the broader biopharma field