Head Of Commercial Partnerships

Sapient is a fast-growing early-stage biotech company headquartered in San Diego, CA. Our focus is on accelerating drug development and transforming personalized medicine. Combining state-of-the-art mass spectrometry technology with advanced biocomputational services and multifaceted human health data, we enable biomarker discovery at unprecedented speed and scale to provide a deeper understanding of human biology and effectively align biological targets, patients, and drug therapies. We are a highly collaborative team of passionate scientists, clinicians, and engineers with expertise in various disciplines, committed to making innovations with scientific rigor. Ultimately, our platform technology enhances the precision and efficacy of treatments, touching and enhancing countless lives.

Role and Responsibilities:

We are in search of a foundational Head of Commercial Partnerships who will be at the forefront of cultivating and nurturing relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Your role will be pivotal in identifying, negotiating, and securing strategic partnerships that align with our company’s vision, capabilities, and revenue objectives. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, leveraging your industry expertise to secure partnerships that drive business value, enhance service offerings, and position us as a preferred CRO partner.

1. Strategic Partnership Development

• Lead the evaluation, due diligence, and selection of potential partners through a systematic and strategic approach.
• Define and execute the overall commercial partnership strategy in alignment with the company's goals and market trends.
• Identify potential partners and collaboration opportunities that enhance our service portfolio and strengthen our position in the industry.

2. Negotiation and Contracting

• Work closely with legal to ensure compliance and risk mitigation in partnership agreements.
• Lead negotiation efforts to establish terms for collaboration agreements, ensuring that contracts align with our strategic and financial objectives.

3. Relationship Management:

• Serve as the main point of contact for partners, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and fostering open communication channels.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including executive leadership teams at partner organizations.
• Document and actively manage client activities in CRM software.

4. Market Intelligence and Analysis:

• Conduct thorough market analysis and research to identify gaps and niches where strategic partnerships can create value.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to identify partnership opportunities that drive innovation and differentiation.

5. Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including Business Development, Research and Development, Marketing, and Finance to align partnership strategies with operational capabilities.
• Provide insights and recommendations to guide product development and service enhancements based on partner feedback and market insights.

6. Performance Tracking and Reporting:

• Provide regular reports to executive leadership on the progress and outcomes of commercial partnership initiatives.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the success and impact of partnerships.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Proven track record of successful M&A, strategic collaboration, licensing, asset sale, or out-licensing.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant life sciences or engineering discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Strong network and connections within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
• In-depth understanding of drug discovery, development, and regulatory processes in the life sciences sector.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in business development, commercial partnerships, or strategic alliances within the life sciences or CRO industry.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify trends and opportunities in a dynamic market.