Director, Business Development – Office of Science & Innovation

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the overall mission of the Institute. The Office of Science and Innovation (OSI) works to drive strategic and operational solutions to promote innovation and partnerships within and beyond Allen Institute research programs.

The Business Development Director will be responsible for identifying, developing, and managing partnership opportunities to advance the mission and objectives of the Allen Institute. This role will work with the Institute’s scientists and engineers to translate their discoveries and inventions into collaborations that enable new therapies for unmet needs or technologies that change the way science is conducted.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute partnering strategies aligned with the Institute's strategic priorities
• Conduct market landscapes and competitive intelligence to identify impact opportunities for scientific discoveries and inventions
• Provide analyses and inputs in support of the Institute’s long-range plan

Partnerships and Collaborations:

• Lead agreements including negotiation of licensing, sponsored research, and spinout agreements terms
• Act as the Institute’s primary relationship manager for industry partners and investors
• Manage strategic alliances including standing up and leading joint steering committees and conducting alliance health checks

Technical Evaluations:

• Support the identification and evaluation of potential opportunities in concert with the Institute’s different science units
• Test findings with external experts and potential partners

External Engagement:

• Identify and engage potential industry partners, investors, scientific collaborators, and funders
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure awareness of the Institute's partnering opportunities
• Institute Coordinate with the Institute’s communications team on both earned and paid media opportunities
• Represent the Institute at conferences and events
• Lead the planning and execution of Institute partnering events in coordination with the Institute’s events team

Project Management:

• Lead the planning and execution of business development projects and initiatives
• Lead the development and reporting of business development metrics tracking opportunities from identification through agreements

Note: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, business administration, or a related field
• 7 years of relevant experience
• Proven experience in business development, technology transfer, or strategic planning within the biotech or life sciences sector
• Strong understanding of the biotech industry, including market trends, regulatory environment, and competitive landscape
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including industry partners, academic institutions, and funding agencies
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Preferred Education and Experience

• MBA, PhD, or JD preferred
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills

Physical Demands

• Sitting, standing and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Occasional evening and weekend hours as needed
• This role is eligible for fully remote work ONLY for residents of VA, GA, MA, NC, OR, NY, IL and PA. #LI-Remote

Travel

• US and international travel as needed
• Attendance and participation at Institute events and/or conferences as needed

Additional Comments

• **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**
• **Please note, this opportunity does not provide work visa sponsorship**

Annualized Salary Range

• $176,900 - $221,150 *

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.