Senior Director, Business Development

Alpha-9 Oncology • Boston, MA

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About The Position

Alpha-9 Oncology is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, Business Development to support the Company during an important stage of its growth. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role drives investor relations and business development activities, identifies and evaluates strategic opportunities, and leads transactions that advance the pipeline and create long-term company value. The position maintains investor materials and tracking, develops the external partnership strategy, and builds relationships across the biopharmaceutical industry.

This is a visible, hands-on role with ownership of business development opportunities across their lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence through structuring, negotiation, execution, and closing. The Senior Director works closely with the CFO, Corporate Strategy, and leaders across Research, Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and other functions. In Alpha-9’s early-stage, collaborative organization, the role has direct exposure to executive decision-making and contributes to the Company’s strategic direction and growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.
• 12 or more years of business development, corporate development, or strategic partnerships experience within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record of sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and closing biopharmaceutical transactions.
• Experience with licensing, collaborations, strategic partnerships, and other forms of external innovation.
• Strong understanding of drug development and the scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial factors that influence asset value.
• Experience developing financial models and valuation analyses to support business development decisions.
• Strong understanding of transaction structures, deal economics, and key business terms.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and cross-functional diligence processes.
• Strong strategic thinking and business judgment, including the ability to assess opportunities and make clear recommendations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior executives and external partners.
• Collaborative approach and ability to operate independently in a lean, fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 20–30% as needed for partner meetings, conferences, and industry events.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree such as a Ph.D., M.D., or MBA.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of Alpha-9’s business development strategy in alignment with its pipeline, corporate strategy, and long-term growth objectives.
• Identify, source, and cultivate licensing, collaboration, strategic partnership, and other transaction opportunities that could strengthen the Company’s pipeline, capabilities, or strategic position.
• Evaluate opportunities from scientific, clinical, commercial, strategic, and financial perspectives, including competitive landscape, intellectual property, development potential, valuation, and strategic fit.
• Build and maintain a network across biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, and other relevant organizations, and represent Alpha-9 at industry conferences, partnering meetings, and external events.
• Lead cross-functional diligence with Research, Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and other teams; coordinate external diligence and develop recommendations for executive leadership.
• Lead business development transactions from initial opportunity and diligence through structuring, negotiation, execution, and closing, in partnership with the CFO, Finance, Legal, and other stakeholders.
• Develop transaction analyses, financial models, valuation assessments, and executive-level materials to support opportunity evaluation, transaction decisions, and corporate strategy.
• Partner with the CFO and Director, Corporate Strategy & Chief of Staff to assess external opportunities in the context of portfolio priorities, corporate strategy, and long-term objectives.
• Support ongoing management of strategic partnerships and collaborations, helping ensure Alpha-9 meets its commitments and captures the intended value of transactions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior