Director, Corporate Business Development (Infectious Disease)

Oxford Nanopore Technologies; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is seeking a Director of Corporate Business Development (Infectious Disease) in Oxford with hybrid work options. The role leads partnerships across clinical diagnostics, public health and applied markets, shaping strategies and deal execution that drive long-term value from nanopore sequencing.

You will build business cases, negotiate complex deals, and work with senior leaders across functions to bring opportunities to life in a fast-paced, innovation-driven

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development, partnerships, or corporate strategy within life sciences, biotech, diagnostics, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of infectious disease markets, clinical diagnostics, or applied genomics (highly advantageous).
• Demonstrated ability to structure, negotiate, and execute complex deals.
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen, including building business cases and models.
• Experience working across cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute partnership strategy across infectious disease markets, including clinical diagnostics, public health, surveillance, and applied sectors.
• Identify and prioritise strategic partners (e.g. diagnostics developers, assay providers, public health organisations).
• Structure and negotiate commercial partnerships and collaborations that accelerate adoption of nanopore sequencing.
• Build compelling business cases and financial models to support new opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Product, Applications, Finance, and Legal teams to bring deals from concept through to execution.
• Lead or support negotiations, from term sheet through to final agreements.
• Act as a project lead for partnership development, ensuring alignment, delivery, and internal approvals.
• Develop a deep understanding of market dynamics, use cases, and commercial models in infectious disease.
• Maintain visibility of the partnership pipeline, tracking opportunities and progressContribute to and uphold best practices in business development and partnering frameworks.
• Support the growth and development of the business development team over time.

Job description

Job Description

Director, Corporate Business Development (Infectious Disease)

Oxford (Hybrid)

About Oxford Nanopore Technologies

Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) is a pioneering force in genomics, transforming how biological information is analysed and understood. Our technology enables real-time, scalable DNA and RNA sequencing, empowering researchers, clinicians, and organisations across the world to unlock insights that improve human health, environmental sustainability, and scientific discovery.

We are a purpose-driven, fast-growing organisation at the forefront of innovation, and our people are central to our mission. As we continue to expand into new clinical and applied markets, we are building strategic partnerships that accelerate the adoption of our technology globally.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Director of Corporate Business Development (Infectious Disease) to play a key role in shaping ONT's growth across clinical diagnostics, public health, and applied infectious disease markets.

This is a highly strategic and externally facing role, focused on building and leading partnerships that enable the development and commercialisation of nanopore sequencing applications. You will work at the intersection of science, business, and innovation - identifying opportunities, structuring deals, and bringing partnerships to life that deliver long-term value.

What You'll Be Doing

You will lead business development activity within the Infectious Disease segment, driving partnerships that expand ONT's presence and impact across key markets.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Define and execute partnership strategy across infectious disease markets, including clinical diagnostics, public health, surveillance, and applied sectors
• Identify and prioritise strategic partners (e.g. diagnostics developers, assay providers, public health organisations)
• Structure and negotiate commercial partnerships and collaborations that accelerate adoption of nanopore sequencing
• Build compelling business cases and financial models to support new opportunities
• Work cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Product, Applications, Finance, and Legal teams to bring deals from concept through to execution
• Lead or support negotiations, from term sheet through to final agreements
• Act as a project lead for partnership development, ensuring alignment, delivery, and internal approvals
• Develop a deep understanding of market dynamics, use cases, and commercial models in infectious disease
• Maintain visibility of the partnership pipeline, tracking opportunities and progressContribute to and uphold best practices in business development and partnering frameworks
• Support the growth and development of the business development team over time

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a strategic, commercially minded individual with a strong track record in building partnerships within life sciences, diagnostics, or healthcare.

You Will Bring

• Proven experience in business development, partnerships, or corporate strategy within life sciences, biotech, diagnostics, or related sectors
• Strong understanding of infectious disease markets, clinical diagnostics, or applied genomics (highly advantageous)
• Demonstrated ability to structure, negotiate, and execute complex deals
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen, including building business cases and models
• Experience working across cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and impact

Why Join ONT?

• Be part of a company transforming genomics and global healthcare
• Work on high-impact partnerships that shape the future of infectious disease diagnostics and surveillance
• Collaborate with world-class scientists, commercial leaders, and innovators
• Join a purpose-led, fast-paced environment with real opportunity to influence growth

Equality and Diversity Statement

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

About Us

Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Our goal is to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments. With a thriving culture of ambition and strong innovation goals, Oxford Nanopore is a UK headquartered company with global operations and customers in more than 125 countries.