The Sr. Director of Business Development will drive Kyverna's growth strategy through strategic partnerships, licensing, and collaboration in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Guided by our core values, Stay True to Why, Collaborate to Accelerate, Lead with Clarity, Boldly Innovative, and Own the Outcome, we are committed to transforming the future of treatment for autoimmune disease. Join us at the forefront of cell therapy innovation and help redefine what’s possible.
Summary
The Sr. Director, Business Development will play a key role in driving Kyverna’s external growth strategy with identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and executing business development transactions. This role will lead strategic partnerships, licensing transactions, and research collaborations that advance Kyverna’s scientific and commercial objectives. In addition, this role will play a key alliance management role to manage governance and issue resolution with Kyverna’s existing strategic partners.
Title: Sr. Director, Business Development
Location: Must reside in the West coast
Reports to: Chief Business Officer
Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior leader within the Business Development organization, with primary responsibility for driving in-bound and out-bound business development transactions, including strategic partnerships, licensing (in-licensing and out-licensing), and research collaborations.
- Proactively identify, evaluate, and prioritize external partnering opportunities that align with the Company’s scientific platform, pipeline priorities, and long-term growth strategy.
- Build, develop, and maintain senior-level relationships with biopharmaceutical companies, biotechnology partners, academic and research institutions, and other strategic stakeholders to advance the Company’s partnering objectives.
- Lead cross-functional deal teams through the end-to-end transaction lifecycle, including:
- Development of strategic rationale and investment thesis
- Opportunity screening and prioritization
- Financial valuation, scenario analysis, and deal modeling
- Scientific, commercial, operational, and legal due diligence
- Deal structuring, negotiation, and execution in close collaboration with Legal, Finance, and the Chief Business Officer
- Prepare and present deal recommendations and transaction materials to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors, including strategic fit, value creation, risks, and alternatives.
- Support development and management of the BD pipeline, including tracking opportunities, competitive intelligence, and deal trends.
- Represent the Company at partnering meetings, industry conferences, and key external events, serving as a senior ambassador for the Company’s strategy, science, and partnering priorities.
- Lead alliance management activities with existing strategic partners including oversight of governance, issue escalation and relationship management.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in life sciences, business, or related field (MBA, PhD, or equivalent preferred).
- 10+ years of experience in business development, corporate development, or strategy roles within biotechnology or biopharmaceutical companies.
- Demonstrated track record of executing complex BD transactions, including licensing and strategic partnerships.
- Strong financial and valuation skills, with experience building and interpreting deal models.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.
- Cell therapy and Autoimmune disease experience preferred.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.
- Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency with the ability to prioritize, pivot, and deliver results amid competing demands.
The salary range for this position in California is from $260,000 to $290,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this position, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including without limitation individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. This position is also eligible for bonus, benefits, and participation in Company’s stock plan.
Similar Jobs
Biotech
This role focuses on securing and retaining business through proactive sales activities, client engagement, and developing proposals within the Bioanalytical Labs sector. It requires experience in lab sales and involves mentoring junior staff while managing client satisfaction and strategic partnerships.
Top Skills:
MS Office
Biotech
The role involves managing sales for strategic accounts in the pharmaceuticals sector, building client relationships, developing plans, and collaborating across teams to achieve sales targets.
Top Skills:
SFDC
Yesterday
Biotech • Pharmaceutical
The role focuses on winning new pharmacovigilance business, developing strategies, and managing client relationships to achieve sales objectives.
Top Skills:
Crm SystemsMS Office
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
