Director, Business Development & Transactions

Director, Business Development & Transactions

Annual Base Salary: DOE, $200,000-$250,000 along with bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package

Location: Los Angeles, CA

The Ellison Medical Institute strives to spark innovation, leverage technology, and drive interdisciplinary, patient-centered research to continually enhance health, reimagine and redefine cancer care, and transform lives. Established in 2016 as a medical research and development center, the Institute features innovation labs for artificial intelligence and molecular analytics and was among the first organizations to vertically integrate the interdisciplinary study and treatment of disease. We offer multifaceted programs, including a preventative medicine and cancer clinic, cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a health policy think-tank, and community outreach and educational programs.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Director, Business Development & Transactions to lead strategic partnering, in-licensing of external innovation, and out-licensing or co-development of internal programs from discovery through early clinical proof of concept. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a business development leader with strong training in biotech or pharma. You will identify, evaluate, and execute transactions that expand our pipeline, accelerate clinical development, and align with our scientific and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate is a hands-on dealmaker—equally comfortable structuring complex collaborations with global biopharma as negotiating research agreements with academic groups and early-stage companies. You will work closely with R&D, clinical, regulatory, finance, and legal teams to advance opportunities and ensure every transaction supports long-term value creation. This is an entrepreneurial role in a fast-moving environment where precision, creativity, and ownership are key.

Why You Should Join Us:

• Drive Transformational Growth: Lead high-value transactions that bring forward new therapies, technologies, and scientific innovations—directly shaping the Institute's long-term trajectory.
• Shape Strategic Direction: Partner closely with founders and senior executives to inform, refine, and advance enterprise-level strategy in a high-trust, highly collaborative environment.
• Visibility That Accelerates Impact: Operate in a role where your decisions influence scientific, operational, and organizational outcomes—and where your expertise is recognized at the highest levels.
• Autonomy With Purpose: Enjoy the latitude of a start-up environment combined with the mission-centered focus of a world-class research institute committed to improving patient lives.

Job Accountabilities: Transaction Leadership

• Lead structuring, negotiation, and execution of term sheets and definitive agreements for in-licensing, out-licensing, co-development, and strategic collaborations.
• Develop creative deal architectures, including options-to-license, regional rights, risk-sharing structures, and co-development models.
• Negotiate and finalize collaboration agreements with academic institutions, research hospitals, technology developers, and data platform partners.
• Drive internal alignment across scientific, clinical, finance, and legal functions.
• Present opportunities and recommendations to senior leadership and ensure seamless transition to alliance management post-deal.

Strategic Sourcing & Evaluation

• Identify and evaluate external technologies, discovery platforms, and therapeutic assets aligned with Institute priorities.
• Assess internal programs for partnering or out-licensing opportunities as they progress toward clinical development.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional due diligence, including scientific, clinical, regulatory, IP, and financial assessments.
• Analyze market opportunities, scenarios, risks, and projected value creation.

Portfolio Strategy & Analysis

• Integrate market intelligence, competitive landscape insights, and deal trend analyses to guide strategic decision-making.
• Develop valuation models and financial forecasts to support business cases.
• Contribute to long-range portfolio and partnership strategy with executive leadership.

External Representation & Relationship Building

• Represent the Institute at partnering conferences, investor events, and scientific meetings.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with biotech, pharma, venture, and academic partners.
• Cultivate a broad network enabling early access to emerging technologies and scientific innovation.

Additional Information

• Required Education:
  • Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or related field).
  • MBA strongly preferred; must demonstrate strong grounding in strategy, finance, and valuation.
• Required Experience:
  • 10+ years of biotech/pharma experience in business development, licensing, or corporate development.
  • Proven track record leading and closing in-licensing, out-licensing, and co-development transactions spanning preclinical through Phase 1-2 development.
  • Experience in both large/mid-cap pharma or biotech and fast-paced start-up environments strongly preferred.
  • Comprehensive understanding of drug discovery, translational research, clinical development, and regulatory pathways.
  • High scientific fluency with the ability to partner effectively with discovery, translational, and clinical leaders.
  • Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, and strategic analysis.
• Required Skills:
  • Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with disciplined execution.
  • Ability to integrate scientific, clinical, commercial, and financial perspectives into sound business decision-making.
  • Strong deal leadership—able to independently drive transactions from sourcing through signed agreement.
  • Exceptional communication skills with executive presence and the ability to influence across functions and levels.
  • Motivated by building partnerships that advance science and deliver meaningful patient impact.

For the safety and health of employees, guests, and patients, the Ellison Medical Institute may mandate vaccination requirements for employment. The Ellison Medical Institute's policies are always subject to review and change to ensure they are appropriate under the circumstances. The Ellison Medical Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that an inclusive, collaborative team environment is just as important to our mission as stethoscopes and microscopes. We strive to always provide employees a supportive atmosphere, so they feel confident taking creative risks toward innovation. The Ellison Medical Institute values emotional intelligence and communication with empathy and respect for others. We seek to build a diverse group of people who are curious, have a deep sense of responsibility, and the grit needed to achieve excellence.