Senior Director, Corporate Development

City Therapeutics•Cambridge, MA

4d•$250,000 - $285,000•Onsite

About The Position

City Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics using RNAi trigger engineering and targeting technologies. The Senior Director, Corporate Development will help shape the company’s long-term growth strategy by identifying, evaluating, and executing opportunities that strengthen its platform, advance its pipeline, and create sustainable value. The role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and works closely with executive leadership on strategic partnerships, licensing transactions, acquisitions, and other growth initiatives. The position combines strategic planning and hands-on transaction execution. It involves analyzing markets and opportunities, assessing scientific and financial value, coordinating cross-functional diligence, negotiating transactions, preparing recommendations for executive leadership and the Board, and supporting implementation and governance after transactions close. The Senior Director will also advise the COO and executive team, build alignment across functions, and establish scalable corporate development processes and capabilities as the company grows. The role is based onsite at City’s Kendall Square offices five days per week. The company describes its working model as in person, while noting flexibility and support when individual needs arise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, finance, or a related discipline.
At least 10 years of relevant experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, including significant experience in corporate development, business development, strategic transactions, or related roles.
Demonstrated track record executing licensing agreements, strategic collaborations, acquisitions, or other transactions involving therapeutic assets or platform technologies.
Strong understanding of drug discovery and development and the scientific, regulatory, intellectual property, and commercial factors that influence value.
Ability to evaluate complex opportunities and translate scientific and financial information into actionable recommendations.
Strong financial modeling, valuation, and deal-structuring skills.
Experience leading cross-functional diligence and managing complex negotiations.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience engaging executive leadership and senior external stakeholders.
Established relationships within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

MBA, advanced scientific degree, or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience with RNAi, oligonucleotide therapeutics, or other innovative therapeutic platforms.
Experience in an emerging biotechnology company with a hands-on operating environment.
Background spanning corporate development and investment banking, consulting, investing, or corporate strategy.
Experience evaluating both platform-level opportunities and individual therapeutic assets.
Experience with transaction implementation, integration planning, or alliance governance.

Responsibilities

Partner with the COO and executive leadership to develop and execute the company’s corporate development strategy.
Evaluate opportunities that complement internal capabilities, expand the platform or pipeline, and support long-term corporate objectives.
Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio discussions by assessing external opportunities alongside internal investment priorities.
Monitor industry trends, competitive developments, and relevant transactions to identify opportunities and inform decisions.
Develop strategic recommendations based on scientific, commercial, financial, and operational analysis.
Build and maintain relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, investors, advisors, and potential strategic partners.
Identify and prioritize licensing, collaboration, asset or technology acquisition, and other strategic transaction opportunities.
Assess opportunities for strategic fit, scientific differentiation, development potential, commercial value, and execution feasibility.
Maintain an opportunity pipeline with evaluation criteria, milestones, and recommendations.
Coordinate cross-functional diligence with Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, Intellectual Property, and other functions.
Partner with Finance to develop valuations, financial models, scenario analyses, and transaction-economics assessments.
Evaluate deal structures, investment requirements, risk allocation, and potential returns.
Lead or support transactions from initial engagement through diligence, negotiation, definitive agreements, and closing.
Collaborate with the COO, Legal, Finance, and other stakeholders to negotiate terms aligned with the company’s strategic and financial objectives.
Prepare decision materials and presentations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors, as appropriate.
Manage transaction timelines, advisors, documentation, and internal communications.
Develop materials communicating City’s scientific differentiation and strategic value to prospective partners.
Represent City in external discussions, partnering meetings, and industry forums.
Establish implementation plans for completed transactions, including governance, ownership, milestones, and measures of success.
Support integration planning for acquired assets, technologies, or capabilities, as applicable.
Work with internal leaders to monitor strategic and financial outcomes and identify opportunities to expand the value of existing relationships.
Advise the COO and executive team on corporate development opportunities and strategic tradeoffs.
Build cross-functional alignment and guide complex decisions with clear analysis and sound judgment.
Establish scalable processes for opportunity assessment, diligence, transaction approval, and execution.
Build and develop corporate development capabilities as the company grows.
Maintain integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential information.