Senior Director (Strategic Partnership & Business Development

Accountabilities: As a strategic business development leader, you will originate and shape major research programs, develop senior stakeholder relationships, and guide opportunities through the early and middle stages of the commercial process. Identify, pursue, and develop large-scale research opportunities, including multi-year, multi-site, and high-volume sequencing or multi-omics programs, typically representing $1 million or more in total contract value. Leverage your existing professional network and targeted outreach to generate new strategic opportunities. Build and maintain executive-level relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D organizations, research foundations, disease consortia, and funding agencies. Engage senior decision-makers across research and development, translational science, genomics, and procurement. Translate customer research objectives and scientific requirements into tailored service solutions, collaborating with scientific and operational teams to assess scope, feasibility, timelines, and pricing. Lead early- and mid-stage commercial negotiations, establishing alignment on project scope, preliminary commercial terms, and contractual requirements. Coordinate the transition of qualified opportunities to the sales team once key elements are agreed, including scope, commercial terms in principle, and NDA/MSA status. Support grant-funded initiatives and consortium bids through strategic partner introductions, proposal contributions, and customer-facing presentations. Represent the organization at relevant industry conferences, scientific events, and customer meetings. Provide leadership with market insights, competitive intelligence, and information on emerging partnership opportunities. Maintain accurate and up-to-date opportunity records in HubSpot to ensure pipeline visibility and effective internal coordination. Requirements: The ideal candidate brings extensive commercial experience in genomics or multi-omics, a strong network of senior industry decision-makers, and a proven ability to originate and develop high-value research partnerships. You should be comfortable discussing complex scientific applications, navigating sophisticated commercial agreements, and working independently in a remote environment. At least 12 years of experience in commercial roles within genomics, next-generation sequencing (NGS), or multi-omics. Previous experience in business development, strategic accounts, or sales leadership at a sequencing service provider, technology platform or consumables vendor, contract research organization (CRO), or core-facility-type organization. Demonstrated track record of originating and closing programs valued at $1 million or more with pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, research foundations, consortia, or government-funded programs. Established network of senior U.S.-based decision-makers in R&D, translational science, genomics, or procurement. Working knowledge of the genomics and multi-omics technology landscape, including short-read and long-read sequencing, single-cell analysis, spatial biology, and proteomics. Ability to engage credibly with scientific stakeholders and discuss research objectives, study design, and technical applications. Understanding of regulatory and quality frameworks, including Research Use Only (RUO), CLIA/CAP, and GCLP/GLP, with the ability to position services accurately within the appropriate regulatory context. Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), data-handling provisions, and confidentiality terms. Strong relationship-building, negotiation, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to work independently, manage a strategic pipeline, and collaborate effectively with scientific, operational, and commercial teams. Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30–40% for customer engagements and industry conferences. Legal authorization to work in the United States. Preferred qualifications: Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in life sciences; candidates with a bachelor's degree and substantial relevant industry experience will also be considered. Experience with pharmaceutical biomarker or translational research programs. Background in large-cohort or population-scale sequencing initiatives. Experience supporting foundation-funded research programs. Exposure to selling services in regulated environments, particularly GCLP- or CLIA-compliant settings. Familiarity with HubSpot or comparable CRM platforms. Preferred candidate locations: Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia (DMV area). Boston or Cambridge, Massachusetts. New Jersey or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. San Francisco Bay Area, California. San Diego, California. Benefits: Base salary: $130,000–$170,000 per year. Performance-based bonus. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of employee premiums covered by the employer. 401(k) retirement plan with a 5% company match after one year of service. Paid time off with rollover options. Two additional hours of paid time off annually for wellness check-ups. Additional cashable paid leave based on tenure, with one extra day for every three years of service, up to five days. Free access to on-site or nearby gym facilities. Monetary gifts for significant life milestones and condolences. Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates. Fully remote working arrangement within the United States. Opportunity to work with advanced sequencing and multi-omics technologies and collaborate with leading research institutions and biopharmaceutical organizations.