Vice President Corporate Development

Executive Director / Vice President, Corporate Development (Position Specification)

Nested Therapeutics / Cambridge, MA

We are a Cambridge-based VC-backed biotech focused on discovering and developing the next generation of small molecule precision medicines. We are advancing drug discovery programs based on a platform that combines insights in cancer genomics, structural biophysics and chemical biology. Our lead programs target novel and differentiated mechanisms for pathways comprising the heartland of cancer research, and we are developing our platform to establish a robust target discovery engine.

Key relationships

• Other key relationships: Nested Leadership Team (NLT)
• Reports to CBO

Major responsibilities

Corporate/Strategy

• Own and facilitate investor strategy and operationalization (incl. data room access and Investor DD, pitch deck creation)
• Foster strong relationships with key function leaders to integrate and translate their input and perspectives into corporate development strategy discussions.
• Lead/manage special initiatives on ad hoc basis, to support our corporate objectives.
• Lead NLT operations (agenda setting, meeting planning)
• Lead long-term strategic and short-term operational planning, including corporate goal setting, and collaborate with Finance on related budgeting
• In partnership with NLT formulate Nested’s corporate strategy and roadmap based on current or future portfolio opportunities and risks, financing needs and organizational capabilities.

Business Development

• Out-licensing: Develop strategies, build relationships and implement business development strategy through identifying and evaluating partnering opportunities for Neste’s platform and programs. Manage access to the data rooms/internal repositories and facilitate the data request process.
• Plan/prepare/deliver presentations to external parties, including pitch decks, diligence documents, and deal materials.
• Attend key partnering and therapeutic area conferences (including major partnering, scientific and medical conferences) to develop contacts and monitor new scientific developments. Develop and maintain relationships with various potential partners, including pharma and biotech business development teams, academic institutions, and investigators. Draw upon extensive industry network to help prospect for new opportunities and build relationships with potential partners.
• Drive forward new partnerships, in support of overall corporate strategy, financing needs and organizational capabilities.
• Lead deal structuring and negotiations with partners from term sheet through to deal execution including the contract drafting/review process with Legal and coordinate cross-functional input.
• Facilitate internal business development processes, lead cross-functional due diligence process and teams. Effectively manage diligence findings, possess conviction and build case to recommend deal or not.
• Develop persuasive business cases, including financial modeling, ROI analysis, and partnering approach.Present and debate business rationale, analyses and proposals to senior executives, play key role in Board meeting preparation.
• In-licensing: In partnership with functional leaders, identify new technology and program opportunities that could augment Nested’s platform or maximize development and commercial success of Nested’s pipeline programs.

Alliance Management

• Successfully integrate active and new alliances into ongoing program and portfolio operations and ensure that strategic objectives of active alliances are met.
• Provide oversight and management of Nested’s existing and future key strategic external relationships to maximize their value, including coordinating across key functional stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with broader corporate strategy and priorities.
• Partner with legal and senior executives to identify and effectively resolve collaboration contract issues.

Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively prioritize time and manage multiple projects, operating in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Broad understanding of the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Well-networked with strong relationships across industry and academia.
• Knowledge in aspects of business development, including conceptualization, negotiation, and contracting of licensing, financing as well as due diligence and screening capabilities. M&A experience would be a plus.
• Results oriented with excellent analytical, strategic, business planning, communication, and teamwork/collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced understanding of valuation and return on investment analysis in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 10-15 years of industry with versatile background and experience with a successful track record of leading teams on the R& and corporate side (e.g. program management, portfolio management, alliance management, corporate strategy). Additional health care consulting experience is a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain credibility with internal and external scientific and business experts and to balance working collaboratively with a team and taking independent ownership of tasks.
• MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Experience working effectively within a high growth, science-driven entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience in managing complex strategic alliances involving regional, co-development, co-commercialization rights.
• Experience managing high performance team in a fast moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and work successfully with varied audiences (colleagues, biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners, financial institutions).
• Decisive; comfortable with ambiguity around assessing new business opportunities; risk-taking orientation.
• A desire to be part of a highly innovative company aimed at transforming the lives of people suffering from cancer.
• Well-developed internal partnering skills to interface and collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams.

Interested candidates should forward a cover letter and CV to [email protected]