Director, Business Development

Soleno Therapeutics, Inc., based in Redwood City, California, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, including Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).

At Soleno, we are driven by the unique and multi-faceted needs of the PWS community. Like these individuals, resilience is part of who we are – it is in our chromosomes – and our team is made up of exceptional colleagues whose collective efforts are woven together to deliver meaningful outcomes, both professionally and for those living with PWS.

We value collaboration, integrity, and respect. These characteristics have allowed us to forge strong, authentic bonds with the caregivers, patients, health care professionals (HCPs), and community members we serve. We are proud to work alongside them every step of the way.

Our employees are our most important asset, and we are looking to expand across many functions during this important and pivotal time. We encourage you to join us in making history. We all share the most important goal of bringing solutions to the PWS community. They are waiting.

Summary of Job

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Business Development to join our team. As a key leader within our organization, you will be responsible for driving strategic growth through partnerships, in-licensing opportunities, and collaborations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in business development within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the rare disease space, and experience in larger organizations.

Responsibilities

1. Identify, evaluate, and manage strategic partnerships that align with the company’s long-term goals. Work closely with internal teams to ensure successful collaboration and integration.
2. Lead efforts in sourcing and negotiating in-licensing opportunities for innovative therapeutics and technologies that complement the company’s pipeline.
3. Conduct market and competitive analysis to identify potential business opportunities and threats. Provide insights to guide strategic decisions.
4. Structure and negotiate complex deals, including partnerships, in-licensing agreements, and collaborations, ensuring favorable terms for the company.
5. Work closely with R&D, legal, finance, and other relevant departments to ensure seamless execution of business development initiatives.
6. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including potential partners, industry experts, and investors.
7. Prepare and present detailed reports and analysis to senior management, outlining the progress of business development activities and the impact on the company’s strategic goals.
8. Assist with special projects, as needed.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of 8 years of experience working in-house in the life sciences industry and at least 5 years in a business development role.
2. Experience negotiating partnership/distribution agreements, especially international ones.
3. Ability to understand, interpret and explain legal principles.
4. High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required. Experience with contract management software and implementation of such tools.
5. Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
6. Must be highly motivated and experienced in successfully handling multiple projects with often short deadlines and have the ability to work independently and prioritize responsibly with minimal supervision.
7. Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
8. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
9. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
10. High level of professionalism and confidentiality.
11. Ability to work onsite in our Redwood City office 3 days per week.
12. Can excel in a fast-paced, changing environment with limited structure that requires flexibility, resourcefulness, a sense of urgency, efficient and remote communications.
13. High-energy professional with demonstrated self-confidence, high integrity, and ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive legal matters.
14. Works collaboratively as a team player and has a track record of achieving results in a matrix organization.

Salary Range: $215,000-$265,000

(Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience, as well as the location where this position may be filled.)