Director of Partnerships

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director of Partnerships based in United States.

This is a senior scientific and strategic partnership role focused on expanding collaborations across the biomedical and technology ecosystem.

You will build relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medtech, healthtech, AI, philanthropic, and other mission-aligned organizations.

The role combines deep scientific and technical expertise with strategic judgment to translate external needs into meaningful partnership opportunities.

You will work closely with executive and scientific leaders to shape repeatable offerings grounded in biomedical data, technology, governance, and AI capabilities.

You will also lead hands-on discovery, developing analyses, prototypes, demonstrations, proposals, and strategic initiatives that turn opportunities into funded collaborations.

Success will depend on your ability to connect market needs, partner priorities, and internal capabilities while navigating ambiguity and organizational complexity.

This role offers broad influence across science, technology, partnerships, and organizational strategy, with direct impact on revenue diversification and mission-driven research.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and grow a diversified portfolio of partnerships across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology, health technology, AI, philanthropic, and other mission-aligned organizations.
• Identify scientific, technological, and market developments that create opportunities for research, data, governance, technology, and AI capabilities.
• Build trusted relationships with scientific, technical, executive, and funding decision-makers and convert priority relationships into qualified proposals and funded agreements.
• Define compelling, repeatable partnership solutions that connect external needs with distinctive scientific, data, governance, technology, and AI capabilities.
• Evaluate opportunities based on strategic alignment, scientific value, differentiation, feasibility, funding potential, and organizational capacity.
• Lead hands-on discovery with prospective partners to understand scientific questions, data environments, technical constraints, and desired outcomes.
• Develop analyses, prototypes, demonstrations, proofs of concept, concept notes, proposals, scopes, budgets, and business cases that advance strategic opportunities.
• Serve as the bridge between external partners and scientific, technical, operational, and leadership teams, ensuring shared understanding of needs, capabilities, resources, risks, and tradeoffs.
• Lead strategic initiatives such as community engagement programs, scientific challenges, pilots, and analyses that strengthen capabilities and increase external visibility.
• Shape scientific strategy and content for external events, including flagship programming, to showcase capabilities and strengthen relationships with priority partners.
• Work closely with executive and organizational leaders to define partnership strategy, priority sectors, target organizations, offerings, and investment priorities.
• Mentor colleagues and emerging leaders while building trusted relationships across scientific, technical, and operational disciplines.
• Build and lead a partnership-focused team over time as the portfolio and organizational needs evolve.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree in biomedical science, behavioral science, public health, data science, engineering, or a related discipline, with a PhD or equivalent scientific leadership and industry experience strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience spanning biomedical science, data, technology, and external partnerships.
• Demonstrated success originating and advancing funded partnerships with life sciences, health technology, AI, or related organizations.
• Hands-on experience with health data and data-intensive technologies, with AI/ML experience preferred.
• Strong ability to translate complex partner needs into focused, feasible solutions and develop the proposals, scopes, budgets, agreements, and negotiations required to advance them.
• Established industry network and strong scientific communication, cross-functional collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong strategic and commercial judgment, with the ability to move confidently between scientific, operational, technical, and executive conversations.
• Proven ability to work independently, take accountability, use data and technology to create momentum, and advance opportunities in ambiguous environments.
• Familiarity with multimodal biomedical and health data, including clinical, observational, molecular, imaging, and patient-generated data, is a plus.
• Knowledge of biomedical data governance, open science, FAIR principles, and responsible AI is desirable.
• Experience with data partnerships, platform licensing, strategic alliances, or models beyond traditional fee-for-service work is advantageous.
• Experience using AI coding agents such as Claude Code to analyze data, prototype solutions, or accelerate technical work is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are required.
• Ability to travel at least twice per year for on-site events in Seattle, Washington.
• Applicants must be based in the U.S. and authorized to work for any U.S. employer without requiring immigration sponsorship.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $160,930 to $210,000, with offers typically positioned between the minimum and midpoint based on experience and internal parity.
• Higher compensation within the range may be considered for exceptional experience or specific market conditions.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.
• Robust retirement plan and flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off and flexible work arrangements within the United States.
• Distributed work environment with support for remote or hybrid arrangements.
• Virtual-first interviews designed to provide accessibility and flexibility.
• Opportunities to work across biomedical science, data, technology, AI, and mission-driven partnerships.
• Collaborative environment focused on scientific impact, responsible technology, open science, and cross-disciplinary innovation.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace and reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process.