Senior Vice President, Business Development
About The Position
Avenzo Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation oncology therapies. Co-founded in 2022 by Drs. Athena Countouriotis and Mohammad Hirmand, the company has an experienced management team committed to building a pipeline of best-in-class targeted oncology programs. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the Vice President/Senior Vice President, Business Development (BD) will report to the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer. This role will lead the company’s business development activities, including in-licensing, out-licensing, clinical collaborations, and other strategic transactions to advance business priorities, serving as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership. The VP/SVP, BD will also manage a high-performing BD team, build and sustain key external partnerships, and drive cross-functional alignment for all partnering activities.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 15+ years of relevant life sciences industry experience
- Record of progressive career advancement
- Demonstrated track record of leading and negotiating strategic transactions across a range of deal structures
- Pharma partnership experience
- Deep understanding of oncology drug development and the ability to translate scientific and clinical insights into business opportunities
- Experience managing and developing BD professionals in a fast-paced, clinical-stage environment
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams
- Experience leading cross-functional diligence and transaction teams, across scientific and clinical opportunities
- Established network of relationships across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset
- Ability to travel periodically/regularly, including up to 25% of work time, which may include overnight travel
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, business, or a related field (e.g., M.S., Ph.D., M.B.A.)
Responsibilities
- Lead the identification, evaluation, negotiation, structuring, and execution of strategic transactions that create long-term value for the company
- Own the end-to-end transaction lifecycle, including opportunity assessment, cross-functional diligence, deal structuring, and contract execution
- Develop and execute short and long-range business development strategies aligned with Avenzo’s corporate strategy and business priorities
- Define, communicate, and drive the company’s partnering strategy in close collaboration with executive leadership
- Develop negotiation strategies and deal structures that align scientific, clinical, and business objectives, and provide clear recommendations to executive stakeholders
- Lead and ensure high-quality due diligence efforts, including scientific, clinical, financial, and commercial assessments
- Build strong cross-functional partnerships across Research, Clinical Development, Legal, Finance, and other functions to support efficient transaction execution and post-deal success
- Represent Avenzo externally at partnering meetings, conferences, and industry forums to proactively source opportunities and expand the company’s network of partners and advisors
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing business development organization, establishing scalable processes and a culture of collaboration and excellence
- Provide strategic oversight of the alliance management function, ensuring effective governance, performance tracking, and issue resolution across partnerships
- Effectively influence and align internal and external stakeholders while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Benefits
- Group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Health savings accounts
- Voluntary insurance programs, including voluntary life, AD&D accident, and critical illness
- Company’s 401(k) plan
- Discretionary paid vacation time
- Accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
- 17 paid holidays each calendar year, including a winter closure
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Equity award
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
