Business Development Manager, Licensing - Waltham

The Steely Group; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Steely Group is seeking a scientifically driven Business Development Manager in the field-based role based in Waltham, MA. You will identify and advance strategic licensing and partnership opportunities for our antibody discovery platform, collaborating with R&D, regulatory, and commercial teams to inform decisions.

Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D. with deep antibody discovery experience and can translate complex data into compelling licensing narratives while bridging global R&D and business

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in pharmacology, immunology, cancer biology, or related biomedical science field.
• Strong background in antibody drug discovery and target validation.
• Ability to interpret complex biological data and translate into licensing narratives.
• Familiarity with monoclonal, bispecific antibodies, and ADCs.
• Strategic thinking to align capabilities with partner needs.
• Mandarin and English bilingual to bridge global R&D and business.

Responsibilities

• Establish external business opportunities for out-licensing and co-development.
• Develop and present business cases with analyses, assumptions, and risks.
• Initiate and present external opportunities with limited supervision.
• Lead due diligence and alliance management across functions and partners.
• Oversee BD operations from proposals to negotiations and deal closure.
• Contribute to BD strategy aligned with corporate portfolio goals.
• Represent the company at industry and partnering events and build relationships.

Skills

Antibody drug discovery

Data interpretation

Strategic thinking

Bilingual: Mandarin & English

Education

Ph.D. in pharmacology, immunology, cancer biology, or related biomedical science

Job description

Field-based, Waltham, MA - 2 openings Our client is seeking a scientifically driven Business Development Manager to help identify and advance strategic licensing and partnership opportunities for its industry-leading antibody discovery platform. This is an outstanding opportunity for a Ph.D.-level scientist with expertise in early antibody discovery who is interested in applying their scientific knowledge in a business-facing role. Working closely with cross-functional teams and external partners, you'll help evaluate new opportunities, support licensing initiatives, and contribute to the growth of the company’s global partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Establish external business opportunities for out-licensing, co-development, and other structured transactions
• Lead the development and presentation of business cases of prioritized external opportunities with recommendations to management team with robust analyses, key assumptions, and risks, as well as internal and external input where necessary
• Initiate, lead and present external opportunities with limited supervision
• Lead driving cross-functional due diligence and alliance management, coordinate with R&D, CMC, Clinical, Regulatory, Operations, and Finance and executive reporting, in some instances be the main BD contact person
• Follow BD operations and transactions including proposals and TS developments, negotiations, deal closure and alliance management
• Contribute to the definition and revision of business development & licensing strategy that is in line with overall corporate and portfolio strategies
• Represent company at industry, investor and partnering conferences, develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry participants

Requirements

• Ph.D. in pharmacology, immunology, cancer biology, or a related biomedical science field
• Strong background in antibody drug discovery, with a deep understanding of target validation and hit-to-lead optimization
• Proven ability to interpret complex biological data (affinity, specificity, and in vivo efficacy) and translate it into a compelling therapeutic and licensing narrative
• Familiarity with current antibody modalities, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecific antibodies, and ADCs
• Strong strategic thinking skills to align internal scientific platform capabilities with pharmaceutical partner pipeline gaps
• Mandarin and English bilingual, to effectively bridge global R&D and business communications