Vice President, Business Development

Vir Biotechnology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on powering the immune system to transform lives by discovering and developing medicines for serious infectious diseases and cancer. Its clinical-stage portfolio includes programs for chronic hepatitis delta and multiple dual-masked T-cell engagers across validated targets in solid tumor indications. Vir Biotechnology also has a preclinical portfolio of programs across a range of infectious diseases and oncologic malignancies. 

We believe the success of our colleagues drives the success of our mission. We are committed to creating a company where everyone feels supported and encouraged to give their best.

Vir Bio is seeking a Vice President, Business Development, who will play a critical leadership role at Vir Bio, responsible for driving global business development initiatives in alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities.

Reporting directly to the Chief Business Officer (CBO), you will have the opportunity to maximize the value of Vir Bio’s portfolio by partnering a subset of Vir Bio’s clinical and preclinical programs and platforms and by accessing complementary technologies or programs.  An experienced senior executive with broad domain knowledge in the clinical sciences, you will lead, independently and strategically, Vir Bio’s business development functions.  Core responsibilities include identifying and attracting the best possible partners for programs, facilitating cross-functional diligence, negotiating non-binding term sheets and definitive agreements, and securing approval by Vir Bio’s senior leadership and other key stakeholders.  A very strong writer and presenter, you will leverage your deep transactions experience, your scientific aptitude, and your strong people skills as you progress deals from start to finish.  This role requires a proven ability to develop high-performing teams and foster industry collaborations, while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and excellence.

This role is located in San Francisco at our corporate office and there is a requirement to be onsite at least four days per week.

• Independently spearhead global business development activities consistent with Vir Bio's overall internal and external innovation strategies set by the CEO, executive management team, and board of directors
• Working closely with our CMO, CSO, CBO, and other executives, lead global search and evaluation efforts to source opportunities that complement Vir Bio’s pipeline and platforms
• Lead out-licensing initiatives to identify potential partners for certain Vir Bio assets or platforms
• Run partnership discussion processes including direct ownership and oversight of due diligence, drafting and negotiating term sheets, working closely with legal team on negotiating collaboration agreements, and collecting feedback from various internal stakeholders
• Lead, guide and direct teams responsible for organizing and completing extensive due diligence involving cross-functional teams of several internal and external experts. Diligence areas include but are not limited to scientific, clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, marketing, financial, legal, IP experts
• Create thoughtful negotiating strategies and, with internal and external legal teams (and in some cases with investment bankers), lead face-to-face negotiations with counterparties-including by listening and doing creative problem solving
• Working closely with Vir Bio’s finance team and external experts, including investment bankers, oversee the creation and evolution of financial models that inform the valuation of external opportunities
• Create strategic and compelling slide decks of the highest consistency and quality and use them in presenting opportunities to the CEO, executive management team, and board of directors
• Work closely with strategy, competitive intelligence, and alliance management leadership and teams to maximize deal value during and after negotiations
• Leverage deep experience leading teams of people in an inclusive and ethical way for optimal employee performance and job engagement and satisfaction
• Support the CBO on projects as needed and work closely with leaders of other organizations within the CBO organization and other senior leaders across the company

• Advanced medical and/or scientific degree (MD, PhD, or both) preferred
• 15+ years of experience including at least 10+ years’ experience in business development, with significant deal & negotiations experience at biopharma or related life sciences companies. Experience in the areas of Oncology and/or infectious disease is a plus
• Experience as a management consultant in a top consulting firm strongly preferred
• Strong capabilities in strategic analysis and communication, both written and verbal. Must be able to write articulately and convincingly.  Aided by slide decks that you will create, present thoughtful and compelling storylines
• Demonstrated track record of leading and negotiating complex and high-value transactions-including out-licensing-at pace while managing competing priorities
• A thorough understanding of the processes of due diligence, asset valuation, and portfolio management, combined with deep scientific and business acumen
• Successful track record in independently sourcing, evaluating, prioritizing, pursuing, and onboarding high-value clinical-stage assets, preclinical assets, research platforms +/- commercial-stage assets
• Well networked in biopharma, life science, and VC communities in SF Bay Area a plus
• Extensive experience in managing and optimizing partnerships through deal execution and, in close coordination with alliance management, afterwards
• Possesses strong analytical, quantitative, and financial skills, including facility with financial models and reading and understanding financial statements and SEC documents.  Experience in venture capital investing or investment banking a plus
• Successful previous experience leading business development professionals with a willingness to roll up sleeves and contribute very directly where needed to close deals or accomplish other Vir Bio objectives