Director of Business Development

Summary

Octave’s goal is to revolutionize how neurodegenerative diseases are managed, providing the tools and insights for physicians and patients to proactively manage the disease and reclaim control over it. We are focusing our efforts on neurodegenerative disease, starting with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s to bring direct, positive impact to people’s lives.

We have developed the world’s first multi-analyte blood based biomarker test for Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA); we are developing a similar blood test for tracking Multiple Sclerosis Disease Progression; as well as another blood test for measuring Parkinson’s Disease Progression.

We are seeking a seasoned business development leader who can help us build long term strategic partnerships within the ecosystem, including pharma, academia, and other industry players and associations.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic business development activities to accelerate growth and revenue generation.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with potential pharma, biotech, and academic partners.
• Collaborate across the company on strategy and execution of business development activities and partnerships.
• Support all partner related activities throughout the various stages of engagement from search and evaluation, diligence, negotiations, and contracting. In particular, a focus on identifying new potential partners, engaging these companies, and facilitating interactions and requirements that secure new partnerships will be extremely important in this role.
• Lead cross-functional due diligence reviews to support business and scientific assessments.
• Lead process for business decision making around deal structure and financing terms; make recommendations to SVP BD, SVP Product, and CEO.
• Support business negotiations and the drafting and execution of contracts.
• Manage relationships and projects with Octave strategic business partners to ensure long term success, including ensuring alignment of objectives, resources, budgets, deliverables, and timelines.
• Support development of presentations and diligence requirements for partnerships.
• Partner with other functional areas and channels to facilitate communication, collaboration, and timely decision making.
• Work with the finance team to budget, forecast, and manage partner collaborations and projects to ensure successful collaborations and profitable projects.
• Conduct market research and landscape analyses to help identify new opportunities for Octave.
• Attend industry conferences to identify and engage with new partner prospects, and support partner and collaboration discussions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years Business Development, Alliance Management, Partnering experience.
• Experience in life sciences and track record of working productively with technical teams.
• Strategic and analytical thinker focused on problem solving.
• Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to manage, lead, and execute a number of strategic initiatives and complex projects.
• Comfort working and collaborating with business and technical leadership and staff.
• Experience working in senior leadership teams and with Boards of Directors.
• Proven track record of professionalism and ethical business practices.
• Comfort working alongside finance to manage projects within budgets.
• Collaborative attitude that fosters teamwork and contributes to a positive work environment.

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of Business Development/Partnering leadership roles
• Experience and passion to work in a fast-paced agile environment

Preferred

• Experience working in the life science industry - therapeutic development and/or diagnostics is ideal
• Experience working with start-up companies throughout different stages of growth

About Us

Octave offers a balanced and flexible working environment. For local candidates, our offices are located in Menlo Park, surrounded by life science innovators (e.g. Grail) and tech innovators (e.g Facebook); our employees have access to a cafe next door and a world class gym 100 feet away with a pool. We offer a choice of health, dental, and vision plans. We are close to many commute options, including a free shuttle service with many convenient routes. We offer lunch once a week at the office that you can pre-select from a large menu. We are also open to candidates living in other areas who have a proven ability to effectively work remotely.