Senior Director, Corporate Development

City Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing the next generation of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics to deliver meaningful and durable benefits for patients. City is seeking a strategic and execution-oriented Senior Director of Corporate Development to help shape the company's long-term growth strategy. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this individual will lead the identification, evaluation, and execution of strategic opportunities that strengthen City's platform, advance its pipeline, and create sustainable value. The role includes strategic partnerships, licensing transactions, asset or technology acquisitions, and other growth opportunities. The company works onsite at its Kendall Square offices five days per week.

Responsibilities

Partner with the COO and executive leadership to develop and execute City's corporate development strategy; Evaluate opportunities that complement City's internal capabilities, expand its platform or pipeline, and support long-term corporate objectives; Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio discussions by assessing external opportunities alongside internal investment priorities; Monitor industry trends, competitive developments, and relevant transactions to identify opportunities and inform decision-making; Develop clear strategic recommendations supported by scientific, commercial, financial, and operational analysis; Build and maintain relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, investors, advisors, and other potential strategic partners; Identify and prioritize opportunities for licensing, collaborations, asset or technology acquisitions, and other strategic transactions; Assess opportunities for strategic fit, scientific differentiation, development potential, commercial value, and execution feasibility; Maintain a disciplined opportunity pipeline with clear evaluation criteria, milestones, and recommendations; Coordinate cross-functional diligence across Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, Intellectual Property, and other relevant functions; Partner with Finance to develop valuations, financial models, scenario analyses, and assessments of transaction economics; Evaluate deal structures, investment requirements, risk allocation, and potential returns; Lead or support transactions from initial engagement through diligence, negotiation, definitive agreements, and closing; Collaborate with the COO, Legal, Finance, and other stakeholders to negotiate terms aligned with City's strategic and financial objectives; Prepare decision materials and presentations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors, as appropriate; Manage transaction timelines, advisors, documentation, and internal communication to support efficient execution; Develop compelling materials that communicate City's scientific differentiation and strategic value to prospective partners; Represent City in external discussions, partnering meetings, and industry forums; Establish implementation plans for completed transactions, including governance, ownership, milestones, and measures of success; Support integration planning for acquired assets, technologies, or capabilities, as applicable; Partner with internal leaders to monitor strategic and financial outcomes and identify opportunities to expand the value of existing relationships; Build alignment across functions and guide complex decisions with clear analysis and sound judgment; Establish scalable processes for opportunity assessment, diligence, transaction approval, and execution; Build and develop corporate development capabilities as the company grows; Maintain the highest standards of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential information

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in life sciences, business, finance, or a related discipline; 10 or more years of relevant experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, with significant experience in corporate development, business development, strategic transactions, or related roles; Demonstrated track record of executing licensing agreements, strategic collaborations, acquisitions, or other transactions involving therapeutic assets or platform technologies; Strong understanding of drug discovery and development and the scientific, regulatory, intellectual property, and commercial factors that influence value; Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex opportunities and translate scientific and financial information into actionable recommendations; Strong financial modeling, valuation, and deal-structuring skills; Experience leading cross-functional diligence and managing complex negotiations; Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience engaging executive leadership and senior external stakeholders; Established relationships within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry; Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive execution in a fast-paced environment

Nice to have

Experience with RNAi, oligonucleotide therapeutics, or other innovative therapeutic platforms; Experience in an emerging biotechnology company with a hands-on operating environment; Background spanning corporate development and investment banking, consulting, investing, or corporate strategy; Experience evaluating both platform-level opportunities and individual therapeutic assets; Experience with transaction implementation, integration planning, or alliance governance; MBA, advanced scientific degree, or equivalent relevant experience

Benefits

Annual bonus; Equity compensation; Competitive benefits package; Flexibility and support in balancing home life with life at City