VP/SVP, Business Development

Job Title: VP/SVP, Business Development

Employment Status: Full-Time

About Sapience Therapeutics

Sapience Therapeutics, Inc. is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing peptide therapeutics to address oncogenic and immune dysregulation that drive cancer. With in-house discovery capabilities, Sapience has built a pipeline of therapeutic candidates called SPEARs™ (Stabilized Peptides Engineered Against Regulation) that disrupt intracellular protein-protein interactions, enabling targeting of transcription factors which have traditionally been considered undruggable, and can deliver cargo to cell surface targets with their new class of molecule called SPARCs™ (Stabilized Peptides Against Receptors on Cancer), enabling delivery of payloads such as α-particles to cancer cells. Sapience is advancing its lead programs, ST316, a first-in-class antagonist of β-catenin, and ST101, a first-in-class antagonist of C/EBPβ, through Phase 1-2 clinical trials.

The Opportunity

Reporting to our Chief Executive Officer, we are seeking an experienced BD professional/executive with broad domain knowledge in the clinical sciences to lead, independently and strategically, Sapience’s business development functions. Core responsibilities include partnering and licensing Sapience assets, negotiating terms/contracts, and providing strategic direction for BD efforts and internal programs. You will leverage your aptitude and passion for science as you quickly gain deep understanding of the key scientific questions for any given opportunity and communicate these to other senior leaders and to the board of directors. You have skill in connecting both internally and with outside parties and extensive experience negotiating complex deal structures.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, resourceful, flexible and a quick learner. As a critical member of our management team, your leadership style will complement the culture of the organization. You, along with the CEO, CFO, and scientific leadership, will be an integral person involved in evaluating internal and external opportunities, and leading partnering discussions. Title will be commensurate with level of experience.

This role is located in our corporate office in Tarrytown, NY and the preference is for onsite in-person collaboration. However, we may consider a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Independently spearhead global business development activities consistent with Sapience's overall internal and external innovation strategies set by the CEO, executive management team, and board of directors.
• Lead out-licensing initiatives to identify potential partners for certain Sapience 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.
• Lead and collaborate on business aspects of complex contract negotiations with internal and external legal counsel as needed.
• Working closely with Sapience’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 third parties, the CEO, executive management team, and board of directors.
• Additional responsibilities may include those related to enabling and maintaining operational effectiveness across the entire organization (which includes strategy, business development, alliance management, commercial, and public-private partnerships).
• Support the CEO and CFO on projects as needed and collaborate with other senior leaders across the company.

Qualifications:

• Advanced medical and/or scientific degree (MD, PhD, or both) required.
• 10+ years’ experience including at least 5-8 years’ experience in business development, with significant deal & negotiations experience at biopharma or related life sciences companies. Experience in the areas of oncology and immuno-oncology.
• Strong capabilities in strategic analysis and communication, both written and verbal, including creating and presenting compelling slide decks.
• Demonstrated history of leading and negotiating complex transactions 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, and pursuing the partnering of clinical-stage assets, preclinical assets, and research platforms.
• Well networked in biopharma, life science, and VC communities.
• Extensive experience in managing and optimizing partnerships through deal execution and 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.

What We Offer

• The expected salary range for this position is $250,000.00 to $400,000.00. Actual pay and title will be determined based on experience and qualifications.
• Compensation and benefits are aligned with the current market and commensurate with the person’s experience and qualifications. Full-time employees receive a package that includes compensation, stock options, health, dental, vision, and disability insurance benefits, paid time off, company shut down for holidays, and 401K match.
• A diverse and inclusive culture where ideas are shared and your authentic self is welcome.
• Exceptional, collaborative, and dedicated team.
• The opportunity to participate in work which may have a transformational impact on patients’ lives.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV, deal sheet, and cover letter in PDF format. Please indicate the position title in the subject line of your email. We will contact you should we wish to arrange a meeting to discuss this position further.

Sapience Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize the power and importance of a diverse employee population and strongly encourage applicants with various experiences and backgrounds.