Vice President - Business Development

We’re seeking an experienced and creative Business Development Executive who can play a leadership role in developing  strategic partnerships, alliances, out-licensing deals and other collaborations that leverage our AI drug creation platform and our growing internal pipeline of therapeutic programs. The candidate will play a key role in, prospecting, sourcing, evaluating, structuring and negotiating deals as well as supporting overall Business Development strategy. This individual will exhibit excellent team leadership, running negotiation and contracting of external partnering opportunities and mentoring junior Business Development professionals.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and build a robust Business Development pipeline of prospective pharmaceutical company and biotech company partners in the biologics area. 

• Lead Business Development efforts, from deal sourcing to deal close, with strong focus on execution, counterparty diligence, and evaluation of deal merit in the context of the company’s portfolio of partnerships. 

• Develop and negotiate term sheets for a variety of deal types, including drug discovery partnerships, target discovery partnerships, therapeutic asset partnerships, therapeutic asset sales, and co-development.  . 

• Develop strategic relationships and networks for identifying Business Development opportunities as well as for staying abreast of industry technology and deal-making trends.

• Evaluate risks in potential transactions with an understanding of valuation and deal structuring. Take into account the end goal of all parties, and actively participate in due diligence, including legal, financial, commercial, and business implications.

• Work collaboratively to lead discussions and align internal and external stakeholders. 

• Articulate and communicate Absci’s mission, vision, values, business and technical vision to potential biotech clients and partners. 

• Set annual and long-term business-performance objectives and lead their delivery for a strategic function or group of businesses; manage and report on performance; hold direct reports accountable for achievement of business plans, and take corrective action where necessary to ensure achievement, balancing the need to deliver short-term business objectives with the longer-term delivery of stakeholder value.

• Evaluate current capabilities, identify gaps based on market feedback, and contribute to strategic  R&D prioritization discussions. 

Qualifications:

• Experience working with CxO level executives to influence partnering decisions 

• 6+ years of relevant biotech/pharma industry experience in a corporate strategy or Business Development role and with a strong background in science.

Skills Needed to be Successful

• Knowledge of next-generation biologics discovery, development and licensing processes. . 

• Demonstrated track records of extensive network of relevant industry contacts.

• Demonstrated track record of negotiating and closing a wide range of business agreements including partnerships, joint ventures, licensing agreements, co-promotions, strategic alliances and other types of corporate ventures.  

• Ability to prioritize multiple stakeholders and projects

• Experience working across different R&D and delivery functions within an organization to meet customer demands.  

• Entrepreneurial mentality that is hands-on, results oriented, and resourceful.  

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills. 

Nice to have (but not required):

• PhD or Masters Degree in a science-related field or MBA

• Business development experience working in big pharma, biopharma or biotech environments

The salary range for this position is $270,000 - $330,000/year and will include a significant performance-based bonus potential as well as a competitive equity package.. Pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to equity, compensation packages include a wide range of medical, dental, vision benefits and ability to participate in our employee stock purchase plan.

Absci offers highly competitive salaries and benefits, including medical, dental, vision insurance, unlimited vacation, parental leave, breakfast and lunch for onsite employees, employee assistance program, voluntary life and disability insurance, annual bonus potential, and 401(k) with a generous company match.

To apply please use the email below to contact Kathryn Watts at our retained search partner Barrington James.

Email: kwatts@barringtonjames.com