What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Business Development position at Quiver Bioscience?
Role Overview
The VP of Business Development will own Quiver Bioscience's business development strategy end to end, from first conversation to signed deal inclusive of therapeutics and platform based research collaborations. This leader will use deep CNS drug discovery knowledge and a senior industry network to build and close strategic partnership with biopharma partners including asset sales, out licensing, and research collaborations.
Quiver combines human-derived neurons, all-optical electrophysiology and machine learning to discover targets and advance medicines for neurological and psychiatric disease. Business development is central to how we extend that platform's reach, so this role sits at the heart of company growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Pipeline
Industry Experience
The VP of Business Development will own Quiver Bioscience's business development strategy end to end, from first conversation to signed deal inclusive of therapeutics and platform based research collaborations. This leader will use deep CNS drug discovery knowledge and a senior industry network to build and close strategic partnership with biopharma partners including asset sales, out licensing, and research collaborations.
Quiver combines human-derived neurons, all-optical electrophysiology and machine learning to discover targets and advance medicines for neurological and psychiatric disease. Business development is central to how we extend that platform's reach, so this role sits at the heart of company growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy and Pipeline
- Work closely with the CEO, relevant partner groups and members of the senior management team to develop business development strategy as a contributor to corporate strategy and long-range planning, including identifying the value drivers of impactful deals.
- Enable clear communication of the value proposition of Quiver's platform technology and portfolio by developing key messages and narratives, pressure-testing them with stakeholders, and building them out into full partnering materials such as pitch decks and non-confidential presentations.
- Define and execute the partnering strategy for Quiver's platform and pipeline, in line with company goals.
- Build and manage a qualified deal pipeline across large pharma, mid-size biotech and strategic investors.
- Track the CNS competitive and partnering landscape and turn insights into target lists and outreach plans.
- Contribute commercial analyses towards prioritizing Quiver’s growing therapeutic pipeline opportunities
- Open doors at the VP BD, CBDO and R&D leadership level, using an established industry network.
- Lead a consultative sales process: understand each partner's scientific and portfolio needs, then shape a tailored offering.
- Represent Quiver at partnering conferences, investor meetings and scientific forums.
- Work with Quiver's scientific and platform teams to design high-level solutions and collaboration structures that fit partner priorities.
- Own deal terms from first proposal through close: term sheets, non-binding offers (NBOs), and definitive agreements such as research collaborations, licenses and option deals.
- Lead negotiations with partners, coordinating legal, finance and scientific stakeholders.
- Close deals that deliver both near-term revenue and long-term strategic value.
- Build and lead a high-performing BD team as the function grows.
- Hand off signed deals smoothly and support alliance management so partnerships expand over time.
- Report on pipeline, forecasts and deal economics to the CEO, leadership team and Board.
Industry Experience
- 15 years in biotech or pharma, with a strong focus on CNS (pain, neurology and/or psychiatry).
- Demonstrated end-to-end experience across the deal lifecycle and drug discovery and development, rather than a narrow specialty within a large-pharma structure.
- Experience in a small or mid-size biotech, or a platform company, is strongly preferred.
- An extensive, active network of VP BD and Chief Business Officer (CBDO) relationships across biopharma.
- Able to secure senior-level meetings quickly and credibly.
- Solid foundation in drug discovery and development, with the scientific grounding to engage peer-to-peer with R&D leaders.
- Proven consultative selling and relationship development skills.
- Able to design high-level solutions and deal structures around a partner's needs.
- Hands-on command of contracts: term sheets, NBOs, research collaboration, licensing and option agreements.
- Skilled negotiator and a proven deal closer, with a track record of signed transactions.
- Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD or MD) in a life science preferred; MBA a plus.
- High energy: brings drive and urgency, and thrives in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial setting.
- Collaborative: works as a true partner with science, platform, finance and legal teams, and earns trust across the company.
- Team leader: builds, mentors and motivates a team, and leads by example in front of partners.
- Owner's mindset: comfortable being hands-on, from writing the first slide to negotiating final terms.
- Shape the partnering strategy of a platform company focused on some of the hardest problems in CNS disease.
- Work directly with the CEO and leadership team, with real influence on company direction.
- Competitive salary, performance bonus, equity and comprehensive benefits.