Director, Business Development & Transactions

Job Title: Director, Business Development & Transactions
Annual Base Salary: DOE, $200,000-$250,000 along with bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Our Mission
Formerly known as the Ellison Institute of Technology Los Angeles, the Ellison Medical Institute strives to spark innovation, leverage technology, and drive interdisciplinary, patient-centered research to continually enhance health, reimagine and redefine cancer care, and transform lives.
Established in 2016 as a medical research and development center, the Institute features innovation labs for artificial intelligence and molecular analytics and was among the first organizations to vertically integrate the interdisciplinary study and treatment of disease. We offer multifaceted programs, including a preventative medicine and cancer clinic, cross-disciplinary research laboratories, a health policy think-tank, and community outreach and educational programs.
Please visit emila.org for more details.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Director, Business Development & Transactions to lead strategic partnering, in-licensing of external innovation, and out-licensing or co-development of internal programs from discovery through early clinical proof of concept.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role for a business development leader with strong training in biotech or pharma. You will identify, evaluate, and execute transactions that expand our pipeline, accelerate clinical development, and align with our scientific and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate is a hands-on dealmaker—equally comfortable structuring complex collaborations with global biopharma as negotiating research agreements with academic groups and early-stage companies.
You will work closely with R&D, clinical, regulatory, finance, and legal teams to advance opportunities and ensure every transaction supports long-term value creation. This is an entrepreneurial role in a fast-moving environment where precision, creativity, and ownership are key.
Why You Should Join Us:

Drive Transformational Growth: Lead high-value transactions that bring forward new therapies, technologies, and scientific innovations—directly shaping the Institute’s long-term trajectory
Shape Strategic Direction: Partner closely with founders and senior executives to inform, refine, and advance enterprise-level strategy in a high-trust, highly collaborative environment
Visibility That Accelerates Impact: Operate in a role where your decisions influence scientific, operational, and organizational outcomes—and where your expertise is recognized at the highest levels
Autonomy With Purpose: Enjoy the latitude of a start-up environment combined with the mission-centered focus of a world-class research institute committed to improving patient lives
Job Accountabilities:
Transaction Leadership

Lead structuring, negotiation, and execution of term sheets and definitive agreements for in-licensing, out-licensing, co-development, and strategic collaborations
Develop creative deal architectures, including options-to-license, regional rights, risk-sharing structures, and co-development models
Negotiate and finalize collaboration agreements with academic institutions, research hospitals, technology developers, and data platform partners
Drive internal alignment across scientific, clinical, finance, and legal functions
Present opportunities and recommendations to senior leadership and ensure seamless transition to alliance management post-deal
Strategic Sourcing & Evaluation

Identify and evaluate external technologies, discovery platforms, and therapeutic assets aligned with Institute priorities
Assess internal programs for partnering or out-licensing opportunities as they progress toward clinical development
Lead and coordinate cross-functional due diligence, including scientific, clinical, regulatory, IP, and financial assessments
Analyze market opportunities, scenarios, risks, and projected value creation
Portfolio Strategy & Analysis

Integrate market intelligence, competitive landscape insights, and deal trend analyses to guide strategic decision-making
Develop valuation models and financial forecasts to support business cases
Contribute to long-range portfolio and partnership strategy with executive leadership
External Representation & Relationship Building

Represent the Institute at partnering conferences, investor events, and scientific meetings
Build and maintain productive relationships with biotech, pharma, venture, and academic partners
Cultivate a broad network enabling early access to emerging technologies and scientific innovation
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Required Education:
Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or related field)
MBA strongly preferred; must demonstrate strong grounding in strategy, finance, and valuation
Required Experience:
10+ years of biotech/pharma experience in business development, licensing, or corporate development
Proven track record leading and closing in-licensing, out-licensing, and co-development transactions spanning preclinical through Phase 1-2 development
Experience in both large/mid-cap pharma or biotech and fast-paced start-up environments strongly preferred
Comprehensive understanding of drug discovery, translational research, clinical development, and regulatory pathways
High scientific fluency with the ability to partner effectively with discovery, translational, and clinical leaders
Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, and strategic analysis
Required Skills:
Strategic, entrepreneurial mindset with disciplined execution
Ability to integrate scientific, clinical, commercial, and financial perspectives into sound business decision-making
Strong deal leadership—able to independently drive transactions from sourcing through signed agreement
Exceptional communication skills with executive presence and the ability to influence across functions and levels
Motivated by building partnerships that advance science and deliver meaningful patient impact For the safety and health of employees, guests, and patients, the Ellison Medical Institute may mandate vaccination requirements for employment. The Ellison Medical Institute's policies are always subject to review and change to ensure they are appropriate under the circumstances.
The Ellison Medical Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that an inclusive, collaborative team environment is just as important to our mission as stethoscopes and microscopes. We strive to always provide employees a supportive atmosphere, so they feel confident taking creative risks toward innovation. The Ellison Medical Institute values emotional intelligence and communication with empathy and respect for others. We seek to build a diverse group of people who are curious, have a deep sense of responsibility, and the grit needed to achieve excellence.