Associate Director, Business Development, Transactions

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 168,300 - 227,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director, Business Development Transactions to drive growth through strategic collaborations in biotechnology. This hybrid role based in Cambridge, MA requires strong business acumen and deal execution capabilities.

You will lead cross-functional assessments, structure deals, and manage due diligence, term sheets, and governance materials while expanding external partnerships and supporting post‑deal alliance management.

Qualifications

• MBA, JD, or other advanced degrees required; scientific background or strong aptitude to rapidly understand complex science and emerging technologies strongly preferred.
• 5-8+ years of relevant experience in business development, consulting, investment banking, or related roles within life sciences.
• Strong understanding of drug development processes and industry dynamics including market trends, regulatory environment, and deal making.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate BD opportunities including licensing and partnerships.
• Lead financial, strategic assessments and deal structuring.
• Coordinate due diligence, term sheet development, and negotiations.
• Develop governance materials for investment committees and leadership.
• Collaborate with R&D, Commercial, Legal and Finance to assess fit and risks.
• Maintain external network with biotech/pharma companies and partners.
• Support alliance management post-deal execution.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial analysis

Due diligence

Negotiation

Stakeholder influence

Presentation skills

Education

MBA or JD

Job description

Overview

For the Associate Director, Business Development Transactions role, we are seeking a high-performing, high-potential business development professional with strong business acumen and expertise in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry.

The Associate Director, Business Development (BD), will play a key role in driving the company's growth strategy by identifying, evaluating, and executing strategic collaborations. This role will work cross-functionally to assess external opportunities, support deal execution, and contribute to long‑term portfolio strategy. Success in the role requires excellent judgment, strong analytical capabilities, and ability to collaborate and influence internal and external stakeholders to drive and facilitate highly visible and time‑sensitive BD projects.

Reporting to Director, Business Development, this position is hybrid and located in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate potential business development opportunities, including in‑licensing, out‑licensing, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead and support strategic, financial, and commercial assessments of opportunities, including valuation and deal structuring.
• Manage key aspects of transaction execution, including due diligence coordination, term sheet development, and negotiation support.
• Develop materials for internal governance (e.g., investment committees) and senior leadership presentations.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (R&D, Commercial, Legal, and Finance) to assess strategic fit and risks.
• Maintain and expand external network with biotech/pharma companies, advisors, and other partners.
• Support alliance management activities post‑deal execution, as needed.

Qualifications

• MBA, JD, or other advanced degrees required; scientific background or strong aptitude to rapidly understand complex science and emerging technologies strongly preferred.
• At least 5-8+ years of relevant experience in business development, consulting, investment banking, or related roles within life sciences.
• Strong understanding of the drug development processes and biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry dynamics including market trends, regulatory environment, the macro deal making environment, and their business impact.
• Ability to integrate scientific knowledge into business cases, including the analysis and interpretation of commercial forecasts, P&Ls, risk assessments, and other financial valuation methodologies, alongside strong term sheet development and contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, strategic insights, with strong attention to detail execution rigor.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, internally and externally.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and effective in a fast‑paced, evolving environment with competing priorities.

U.S. Pay Range

$168,300.00 - $227,700.00

The pay range reflects the full‑time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short‑term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long‑term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam's robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well‑being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and a 401(k) with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company‑wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well‑being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics—a revolutionary approach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize‑winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possible and are just at the beginning of what's possible. Our deep pipeline, late‑stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We’re proud to be a globally recognized top employer, where an authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinking fuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E-Verify Employer.