Vice President, Head of Business Development, Transactions

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

For the Vice President, Head of BD Transactions, we are seeking a seasoned business development leader with exceptional strategic and financial acumen and a proven track record of leading complex, high-impact transactions in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise across the full deal‑making lifecycle, including opportunity evaluation, valuation, investment structuring, negotiation, and execution across a broad range of therapeutic areas, modalities, and stages of development. Success in this role will be defined by the ability to set transaction strategy, lead and close sophisticated deals, and serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and governance bodies on matters of external growth and value creation.
This role requires strong executive presence and the ability to influence, align, and drive outcomes with senior internal leaders and external partners in highly visible, time‑sensitive situations. The Vice President will play a critical role in shaping and executing Alnylam’s business development strategy and ensuring disciplined, value‑driven decision‑making across the portfolio.
Reporting to the SVP & Head of Business Development, this position is hybrid and located in Cambridge, MA.

Requirements

• MBA, JD, or other advanced business degree required; scientific background or strong aptitude to rapidly understand complex science and emerging technologies strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive business development experience in the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry, with significant leadership responsibility and a strong record of originating, leading, and closing multiple complex, high-value transactions. Detailed deal sheet required.
• Deep expertise in drug development processes and a comprehensive understanding of industry dynamics, including market trends, regulatory considerations, and the macro deal-making environment.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate scientific, clinical, and commercial insights into robust financial and strategic analyses, including valuations, P&Ls, risk assessments, and investment structures.
• Exceptional negotiation skills with extensive experience shaping and reviewing term sheets and contracts to ensure alignment with strategic and commercial objectives.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information, frame strategic trade-offs, and influence decision-making at the executive level.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly and persuasively engage senior internal leaders, governance bodies, and external partners.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and effective in a fast-paced, evolving environment with competing priorities.
• Strong people leadership and executive presence, with a track record of building, developing, and inspiring high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-level transaction leadership across a diverse portfolio of business development opportunities, partnering closely with R&D, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and Search & Evaluation to assess external innovation and drive disciplined, value-creating deal decisions.
• Set and lead transaction strategy, including development of business cases, valuation frameworks, and deal structures, and oversee cross-functional due diligence and negotiations to successfully execute strategic transactions.
• Serve as a primary advisor to executive leadership and governance bodies, delivering clear, data-driven recommendations on external opportunities, including valuation, risk assessment, deal rationale, and key deal terms.
• Lead, mentor, and coach BD Transaction team members in deal execution and negotiations, providing guidance on complex issues, bridging gaps between parties, and ensuring alignment between business intent and contractual outcomes.
• Act as a thought partner to the SVP and BD Leadership Team in shaping overall BD strategy, portfolio priorities, and long-term external growth initiatives aligned with enterprise objectives.
• Represent Alnylam externally at the executive level, building and maintaining strong relationships with potential partners, advisors, and industry stakeholders, and articulating Alnylam’s strategic vision and partnering approach.
• Build and sustain a high-performing BD organization, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation while developing next-generation BD leaders.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match
• Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company-wide recharge breaks
• We also offer generous family resources and leave

What This Job Offers

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