Business Development Director - Startups - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Reporting to the Senior Director of the Accelerator, the Business Development Director is an integral member of the DFCI business development team. The Director establishes and develops a dynamic portfolio of projects, primarily slated for startup creation and performs a wide range of activities, including market analysis, strategy development, identification, and pursuit of commercial opportunities for technologies being invented and developed at the DFCI.

• A non confidential pitch deck created as a work product will be requested during interviews.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Working in close collaboration with DFCI principal investigators and researchers, as well as other professionals specializing in deal transactions, legal, business development, and intellectual property within BODFI and the DFCI, the Business Development Director will:

• Interact with DFCI faculty and clinicians to evaluate DFCI technologies at various development stages, assess their clinical and commercial potential towards exit from DFCI.
• Maintain a portfolio of projects and help drive the commercialization of these projects of varying complexity into startups, with minimal oversight. This will be accomplished by:
• working with DFCI’s IP counsel to assess and develop each project’s intellectual property strategy over time
• shaping the commercial strategy of projects across therapeutic applications by conducting market landscape assessments and identifying new partnerships with venture capital firms, foundations and other entities to enable startup creation and licensing opportunities.
• interacting with potential investors to identify key value inflection points and exit strategies from DFCI
• working with BODFI’s licensing team to initiate, structure and negotiate complex licensing agreements with potential partners for each project
• defining and tracking timelines and deliverables for each project, including working closely with principal investigators and the technical team of each project to help align business strategy and priorities with technology development
• creation of preliminary business strategies, pitch decks and relevant marketing materials to facilitate potential investment
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the DFCI community relating to business development, technology commercialization and startup formation, while contributing to the DFCI’s culture of innovation and technology translation.
• Initiate and facilitate new interactions and partnership opportunities between DFCI principal investigators and researchers, industry and the investment community.
• Support the BODFI leadership to prepare for business development review meetings and make decisions on technology strategy and partnership opportunities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Life Sciences or a related field, or MD required.
• MBA degree preferred.
• 7 years of experience in business development, deal making within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, and startup launch, with a deep understanding of drug development from discovery to IND, required.
• Operating experience in venture capital or early-stage biotech preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Experience with building businesses and structuring startups.
• Deep understanding of the venture capital and healthcare industries.
• Superior negotiation, interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication, written and verbal skills, with demonstrated ability to clearly present strategic recommendations.
• Significant experience in relationship- and collaboration building.
• Ability to work across and build multifunctional teams.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEOC Poster