Director, Corporate Development & Strategy

Artiva Biotherapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Company paid holidays

Recognition program, Bonus.ly

Job summary

Artiva Biotherapeutics is looking for a Director of Corporate Development & Strategy in San Diego, California. This senior position involves shaping the company's long-range strategy as they advance NK cell therapy programs towards commercialization. The role demands strong leadership and the ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies, ensuring alignment across clinical and corporate functions.

Candidates should have an advanced scientific degree and over 8 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical sector. The position offers a collaborative, innovative environment with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in biopharmaceutical industry within strategy or business development.
• Experience in commercial strategy, corporate strategy, or business development.
• Ability to travel for scientific congresses and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Develop corporate development and strategic plans.
• Support early-stage commercial planning and launch-readiness work.
• Partner with clinical teams for publication and scientific communications.
• Build presentations for executives and investors.
• Support fundraising and business development activities.
• Collaborate across executive leadership and clinical development.

Skills

Scientific fluency

Communication

Presentation skills

Quantitative modeling

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

Advanced scientific degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MS)

MBA or equivalent business training

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

About Artiva

We are a clinical‑stage biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies. Our mission is to develop effective, safe, and accessible cell therapies for patients with devastating autoimmune diseases. We aim to develop therapies that patients and physicians can utilize in a community setting. Our lead product candidate, AlloNK®, is a non‑genetically modified, cryopreserved NK cell therapy being evaluated in combination with B‑cell targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). We believe the compelling cell killing properties of NK cells, when combined with mAbs for targeting, creates an opportunity to generate potentially transformative therapies.

For more information, visit www.artivabio.com.

Job Summary

The Director, Corporate Development & Strategy is a senior, cross‑functional role responsible for shaping and advancing Artiva’s long‑range corporate strategy as the company progresses its allogeneic NK cell therapy programs toward potential commercialization. Reporting to the Vice President of Corporate Development, the Director will support foundational commercial planning well ahead of launch, support publication and scientific communications strategy, and develop board‑, investor‑, and partner‑ready materials that articulate Artiva’s scientific and commercial value proposition. The role blends scientific fluency with commercial and strategic acumen, and supports fundraising and business development activities including diligence, partnering, and strategic transactions. This individual operates with a high degree of autonomy, partnering closely with executive leadership, clinical development, medical affairs, finance, and investor relations. Success requires translating complex scientific and market data into clear, actionable strategy and compelling narratives for both internal and external stakeholders.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Corporate development & strategy: Develop and maintain the company’s corporate development and long‑range strategic plans; conduct competitive intelligence, landscape analyses, and market assessments to inform pipeline, portfolio, and prioritization decisions.
• Commercial planning (pre‑launch): Support early‑stage commercial planning and launch‑readiness work, in partnership with the broader commercial and strategy organization, for programs that are several years from potential launch, including market sizing, epidemiology and patient‑flow modeling, forecasting, and early pricing, reimbursement, and access considerations.
• Publication planning: Partner with clinical and medical teams to develop and execute the publication and scientific communications strategy, including congress/abstract planning, manuscript timelines, and alignment of data disclosures with corporate milestones.
• Strategic communications & presentations: Build and refine executive, board, and investor‑facing presentations and narratives; ensure accurate, consistent, and compelling messaging across corporate materials.
• Fundraising: Support financing activities (e.g., equity raises and strategic investments), including preparation of investor materials, narrative development, investor targeting, and diligence support.
• Business development: Support partnering and BD activities, including opportunity identification and evaluation, scientific and commercial due diligence, valuation and deal‑modeling inputs, and transaction support.
• Cross‑functional leadership: Collaborate across executive leadership, clinical development, regulatory, medical affairs, finance, and IR, and represent corporate development in cross‑functional planning forums.

Requirements

• Advanced scientific degree strongly preferred (PhD, PharmD, MD, or MS in a life sciences discipline); MBA or equivalent business training a plus.
• Typically 8+ years in the biopharmaceutical industry within a corporate, commercial, or strategy function, and/or at a top‑tier life sciences strategy consultancy. Demonstrated experience in commercial strategy/planning, corporate strategy, or business development. Experience in immunology, autoimmune disease, hematology/oncology, or cell therapy is a strong plus given Artiva’s pipeline.
• Strong scientific fluency with the ability to translate complex data into strategy and narrative; exceptional written and verbal communication; advanced presentation (PowerPoint) and quantitative/financial modeling (Excel) skills; structured, strategic problem‑solving; the ability to effectively leverage artificial intelligence tools to enhance research, analysis, and productivity; sound judgment and executive presence; and the ability to operate autonomously and thrive amid ambiguity in a fast‑paced, clinical‑stage environment.
• Ability to travel as needed for scientific congresses, partnering meetings, and investor events.

Benefits

• A beautiful facility
• An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment
• Comprehensive benefits, including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability (LTD)
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Company paid holidays, including the year‑end holiday week
  • Recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.

Base Salary: $200,000- $230,000. Exact compensation may vary based on level, skills and experience.