Director, Virtual Biology Initiative

The Virtual Biology Initiative (VBI) is an international effort focused on creating the definitive open biological data needed for predictive models of living systems: a scalable foundation to unlock the complexities of disease that no single organization could build alone. The most complex diseases, such as neurodegeneration, neurological and development disorders, and inflammation, are not failures of a single molecule but of biological systems. Our goal is to build artificial intelligence that can model how any cell, in any patient, with any genome, responds to an intervention, and predict the outcome before a single experiment is run. Achieving this vision will require progressing through increasing levels of biological complexity, from the cell to tissue to system, each demanding richer data, greater perturbational diversity, and spatial-temporal resolution. 

The Director of Virtual Biology Initiative is the strategic business and partnership leader responsible for building and growing the Virtual Biology Initiative's global ecosystem of collaborators.

This role will develop and execute the partnership strategy that brings together leading research institutions, technology providers, industry, philanthropy, government, and other key stakeholders around a shared scientific vision. This leader will cultivate long-term relationships, establish new strategic partnerships, and help translate scientific ambition into sustained collaboration.

Working closely with scientific, technical, legal, and operational leaders, this leader will coordinate across disciplines to ensure partnerships advance VBI's priorities and contribute to a cohesive, scalable ecosystem. While scientific fluency is important, success in this role comes from exceptional relationship-building, strategic judgment, and the ability to align diverse organizations around common goals.

The Virtual Biology Initiative has the potential to transform biology by creating the data foundation needed for predictive AI models of living systems. Achieving this vision will require an unprecedented level of collaboration across the global scientific ecosystem. As the director of the Virtual Biology Initiative, you will play a central role in building that ecosystem -- bringing together the organizations, partnerships, and long-term collaborations needed to accelerate a new era of AI-enabled biology.

Build and Grow the VBI Ecosystem

• Develop and execute VBI's external partnership and ecosystem strategy.
• Build trusted relationships across research institutions, technology and platform providers, industry partners, philanthropies, government agencies, and other strategic collaborators.
• Identify new opportunities to expand VBI's network and strengthen participation across the global scientific community.
• Represent VBI externally and serve as a trusted ambassador for the initiative.

Lead Strategic Partnerships

• Own the full lifecycle of strategic partnerships -- from initial engagement through negotiation, launch, and long-term relationship management.
• Structure and negotiate complex collaborations that advance VBI's scientific and organizational objectives.
• Cultivate executive-level relationships that enable enduring collaboration and sustained partner engagement.
• Develop a healthy, active portfolio of strategic partnerships that supports the long-term growth of the initiative.

Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with scientific, technical, legal, policy, and operational teams to translate partnership opportunities into successful collaborations.
• Align external partnerships with VBI's evolving scientific priorities and organizational strategy.
• Coordinate across multiple stakeholders to remove barriers, maintain momentum, and ensure successful execution of complex initiatives.

Help Shape the Future of the Initiative

• Contribute to the development of governance models and collaborative frameworks that enable effective participation across a diverse global community.
• Help evolve VBI's long-term partnership strategy as the initiative grows in scale and complexity.
• Bring an external perspective on emerging opportunities, partnerships, and ecosystem trends that can accelerate VBI's goals

We're looking for a leader who combines exceptional business development skills with the ability to operate effectively in highly technical, mission-driven environments.

• Significant experience (10 years) leading strategic partnerships, business development, ecosystem development, or external collaborations in biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, AI, or a related field.
• A demonstrated track record of negotiating and closing complex, multi-party partnerships.
• Experience working across academia, industry, philanthropy, government, or research organizations.
• Scientific fluency that enables productive engagement with researchers and technical experts, even if you are not a practicing scientist.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and executive influencing skills.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives through influence and collaboration.
• Strong operational discipline and the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience working with scientific consortia, collaborative research programs, or large multi-institution initiatives is strongly preferred.

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for a new hire in this role is $244,000.00 - $305,000.00. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.

As we grow, we're excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team's manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

We're thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
• Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you're interested in a role but your previous experience doesn't perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

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