Director, Corporate Development

Summary

Join Kyverna Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, as their Director, Corporate Development. This remote position (West Coast hours) requires leading strategic initiatives, establishing key partnerships, and preparing for commercial launch readiness. The ideal candidate will possess extensive biotech/pharma industry knowledge, proven deal-making skills, and strong scientific, financial, and commercial acumen. Responsibilities include managing the long-range plan, preparing for board meetings, facilitating leadership team meetings, and leading ad-hoc corporate strategy projects. The role also involves contributing to commercial launch planning, analyzing market trends, and ensuring stakeholder alignment. This position offers a competitive salary, bonus, benefits, and participation in the company's stock option plan.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business/finance or related field required; advanced degree (MBA, PhD, MS) strongly preferred
• 10+ years of business development, corporate development or corporate strategy experience in the biotech/pharma sector
• Demonstrated success in leading cross functional projects with executive teams
• Experience working on one or more activities on complex partnering transactions (e.g., licensing, co-development, partnerships)
• Strong understanding of biotech drug development, manufacturing, regulatory pathways, and commercialization strategies
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Responsibilities

• Key member of team responsible for in-bound and out-bound business development transactions, including strategic partnerships, licensing transactions and research collaborations
• Responsible to identify, develop and establish relationships with biopharma companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders to support company partnering objectives
• Lead deal process including development of strategic rationale, negotiations, due diligence, valuation modeling, and contracting in collaboration with Chief Business Officer
• Represent company at partnering meetings, industry conferences, and key external events
• Manage long range plan (LRP) together with Finance team including process, timeline, key assumptions, financial modeling and outputs for leadership team and Board of Directors
• Lead prep process for quarterly Board of Directors meetings including working with Kyverna Leadership Team on agenda topics, calendar of events and final presentation materials
• Facilitate Kyverna Leadership Team meetings on behalf of CEO, including the preparation of agendas, distribution of briefing materials, and action items
• Lead ad-hoc corporate strategy projects in partnership with functional leaders from R&D, Technical Operations, Commercial and Finance to support corporate priorities
• Responsible to track and report progress against annual corporate goals in collaboration with Kyverna Leadership Team
• Contribute to development and oversight of comprehensive launch roadmap with various functions including Regulatory, Manufacturing, Medical Affairs and Commercial teams
• Analyze market trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies to inform both corporate and commercial strategy
• Conduct market research to inform program teams about key issues/risks, patient needs, market dynamics, and competitive landscapes
• Ensure that key stakeholders across the organization are aligned on the launch strategy and objectives, critical success factors, and tactical plans across all functions
• Manage external advisors and consultants to support launch planning and execution of key activities as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in rare disease, cell therapy or gene therapy therapeutic area a plus
• Strong network within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries a plus

Benefits

• Bonus
• Benefits
• Participation in Company’s stock option plan