Senior Director, Business Development

Your Impact 

Alpha-9 Oncology is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Director, Business Development, to join our team during an important stage of the Company’s growth.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will drive Alpha-9’s investor relations and business development activities, helping identify, evaluate, and execute strategic opportunities that advance our pipeline and create long-term value for the Company. You will play a central role in maintaining our investor materials, investor tracking and developing our external partnership strategy, building relationships across the biopharmaceutical industry, and leading transactions from initial opportunity through diligence, negotiation, and execution.

This is a visible, hands-on opportunity to work closely with the CFO, Corporate Strategy, and leaders across Research, Clinical Development, CMC, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and other functions. As part of an early stage and collaborative organization, you will have meaningful ownership and direct exposure to executive decision-making, with the opportunity to help shape Alpha-9’s strategic direction and growth as the Company continues to advance its pipeline.

How You’ll Contribute 

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

 

The Skills You Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field; advanced degree such as a Ph.D., M.D., or MBA preferred.
• 12+ 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, including 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, with 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.
• Highly collaborative and comfortable operating independently in a lean, fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 20–30% as needed for partner meetings, conferences, and industry events.