Director, Regional Ecosystem Lead (San Diego)

CSL Vifor; California; Hybrid; USD 232,000 - 284,000; Full time

Job summary

CSL Vifor is seeking a Director, Regional Ecosystem Lead to drive CSL's external innovation presence across the San Diego region. The role is remote with travel across the West Coast and requires senior leadership in biopharma partnerships.

You will lead ecosystem engagement, scout opportunities, and co-drive deal teams with global R&D, BD, and legal to strengthen CSL's pipeline. A PhD/MD or equivalent is required with 12+ years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in biopharma, external innovation, or business development.
• Strong regional ecosystem knowledge and networks.
• Proven ability to source and evaluate external opportunities.
• Experience leading deal execution and cross-functional teams.
• Proven relationship-building with academia, biotech and investment communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead CSL presence in regional innovation hubs and create partnerships.
• Expand relationships with universities, incubators, accelerators, VCs, and local orgs.
• Coordinate with TA Search Leads for regional engagements and conferences.
• Participate in regional deal teams from identification through due diligence and close.
• Represent CSL at local external innovation events and strengthen ecosystem visibility.
• Engage internal SMEs to position CSL as a partner of choice.

Skills

Regional ecosystem knowledge

BD deal flow ability

Academic and industry relationship

Sourcing opportunities

Deal team leadership

Education

Advanced degree (PhD/MD)

Job description

CSL's R&D organization is accelerating innovation to deliver greater impact for patients. With a project-led structure and a focus on collaboration, we’re building a future-ready team that thrives in dynamic biotech ecosystems. Joining CSL now means being part of an agile team committed to developing therapies that make a meaningful difference worldwide.

Could you be our next Director, Regional Ecosystem Lead (San Diego)? The job is remote. This position will require travel around the West Coast area.

Position Description Summary

Serve as CSL’s key leader in the key innovation hubs to enhance the CSL external brand leading to BD deal flow to grow our pipeline. These senior leaders will combine ecosystem engagement, strategic scouting, and deal team leadership to ensure CSL maintains a strong presence and pipeline of opportunities across biotech, academia, and investment networks. This role partners with global R&D, business development, and legal teams to strengthen the organization’s innovation pipeline and competitive advantage. The individual will leverage deep internal organizational knowledge, align with the GLG, and internal subject matter experts (SMEs) to position CSL as the partner of choice in the key ecosystems of biotech innovation.

Main Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Serve as the key CSL leader within the regional innovation ecosystem, actively sourcing opportunities aligned with all TA strategies and portfolio priorities. Create new partnership opportunities for GLG presence within each ecosystem.

• Maintain and expand strategic relationships with universities, incubators, accelerators, venture capital firms, and local organizations to amplify CSL’s external innovation priorities.

• Partner closely with TA Search Leads to conduct regional searches, plan engagements and conferences, and share regional insights and updates.

• Serve as a senior member of deal teams occurring in each region, supporting transactions from identification through due diligence and help lead relationships with external partners through deal close.

• Organize and represent CSL at local external innovation events, such as CSL-hosted innovation days, and ensure strong visibility in the ecosystem.

• Actively participate as a board member in key industry bodies and associations (e.g., MassBio, AusBiotech, Californai Bio, etc.) and pursue board or committee memberships to influence industry direction and strengthen networks.

• Maintain intimate knowledge of internal organizational capabilities, priorities, and SMEs and engage internal experts to enhance credibility and reputation externally.

• Provide insights on regional biotech trends, competitive landscape, and innovation hotspots.

• Work closely with R&D, BD, and legal teams to evaluate and integrate external assets.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

• 12+ years in biopharma, external innovation, or business development with strong regional network and ecosystem knowledge.

• Advanced degree required (PhD, MD, or equivalent).

• Proven track record of enhancing Pharma senior leadership presence/reputation as a partner of choice in biotech ecosystems to drive BD deal flow.

• Proven ability to source and evaluate external opportunities and lead deal execution.

• Strong relationship-building skills with academic, biotech, and investment communities.

The expected base salary range for this position at hiring is $232,000 - $284,000. Please note this salary range reflects the minimum and maximum base pay that CSL expects to pay for this position at the listed for San Diego CA at the time of this posting. Individual base salary for a successful candidate is determined by qualifications, skill level, experience, competencies and other relevant factors. In addition to base salary, total compensation for this role may also include incentive compensation and equity.