Vice President and Head of Business Development

SystImmune is a leading and well‑funded clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug development platforms, focusing on bi‑specific, multi‑specific antibodies, and antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs). SystImmune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications. Alongside ongoing clinical trials, SystImmune has a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discovery and IND‑enabling stages, representing cutting‑edge biologics development. We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success.

As the Vice President and Head of Business Development, you will be a key driver in shaping SystImmune’s growth trajectory. Your strategic vision, leadership, and ability to develop our portfolio strategy and forge impactful partnerships will directly shape our clinical asset progress. This role combines business acumen and scientific understanding to unlock the full potential of our technology platforms and pipeline. You will report directly to the CEO and partner closely with R&D, Finance, and Manufacturing both at SystImmune and its affiliate in China.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy aligned with SystImmune’s scientific, strategic, and financing plans.
• Identify licensing, partnership, and collaboration opportunities to accelerate clinical asset development.
• Collaborate closely with the scientific team to generate key data packages and presentations, and lead all scientific due diligence process by potential partners.
• Develop proposed deal architecture and terms, and lead negotiations of term sheets and agreements with potential partners in collaboration with legal and finance.

Competitive Landscape and Portfolio Strategy

• Work closely with R&D to build comprehensive competitive landscape including evolving treatment practices, emerging scientific data from competitor drugs, market insights, to support company’s long‑term strategy.
• Monitor external landscape, with a focus on close competitors, and keep track of the development of competitive assets and identify potential competitive threat.

External Communications

• Create compelling partner pitch decks that showcase SystImmune’s story and product portfolio. Collaborate closely with the scientific team to define and deliver key data packages for effective business development outreach.
• Build and maintain a network of business development professionals across the pharmaceutical and biopharma industries.
• Attend conferences, industry events, and investor meetings.

Organizational System Development

• Establish an internal BD organizational system.
• Track and document all collaborations along the BD pipeline.
• Provide regular status reports to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences required, with Ph.D. or M.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years in business development within the biopharmaceutical industry, with search & evaluation experience at a big pharma preferred.
• Deep scientific understanding of a range of modalities of cancer therapeutics required.
• Proven track record of successful deal‑making, including licensing, partnerships, and collaborations.
• Experience managing and coaching teams.
• Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of drug development and commercialization.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance scientific rigor with business acumen.
• Having a mindset of adaptability, curiosity, collaboration, resilience, and a passion for purpose is critical.
• Strong communication skills with effective problem‑solving abilities.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this position is $280,000 – $380,000 annually, with actual compensation based on a variety of factors including but not limited to a candidate’s level, qualifications, experience, and skills. While most offers typically fall within the low to mid‑point of the range, we may extend an offer toward the higher end for exceptional candidates whose background and expertise exceed the requirements of the role.

SystImmune offers a comprehensive benefits package including: 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision, as well as STD, LTD, a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match up to 3% and a vesting schedule of only 5 years, 15 PTO days per year, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays.

SystImmune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diverse talent and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.