Corporate Business Development Director (Biopharma)

Corporate Business Development Director (Biopharma)
Oxford Nanopore Technologies
Location: Oxford, UK (Hybrid) 

Travel: Monthly 

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is a pioneering company in the field of DNA and RNA sequencing, developing innovative nanopore-based technology that enables real-time, accessible, and scalable analysis. With applications spanning research, clinical diagnostics, and industrial settings, Oxford Nanopore is transforming how biological insights are generated and applied worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced Corporate Business Development Director with a strong track record in the biopharma sector to lead and support partnership activities that drive strategic growth.

About the Role
As part of the Business Development team, you will play a central role in building a global ecosystem of partnerships to accelerate the adoption of nanopore sequencing across applied and clinical markets. This role focuses on developing and executing collaborations with biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to enable the commercialisation of innovative applications in priority end markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities for the biopharma segment, identifying and establishing strategic partnerships across drug discovery, development, and manufacturing
• Engage with pharmaceutical and biotech organisations to structure collaborations in areas such as cell and gene therapy, biologics characterisation, and genomic analytics
• Evaluate and prioritise partnership opportunities, develop business cases, and construct financial models
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Marketing, Product, Finance, Legal, and other teams
• Manage the full deal lifecycle from opportunity assessment through negotiation, execution, and ongoing relationship management
• Prepare and present partnership proposals for executive review and approval
• Negotiate commercial agreements, ensuring alignment with financial and strategic objectives
• Maintain oversight of active partnership projects and ensure delivery against commitments
• Support the development of internal partnering frameworks and promote best practices
• Mentor and support the growth of business development team members

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in business development, partnerships, and deal-making within the life sciences sector
• Strong background working with or within biopharma and biotech organisations
• Demonstrated success in structuring and negotiating complex commercial agreements
• Excellent analytical, financial modelling, and communication skills
• Strong understanding of market dynamics and partnership strategy
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and deliver against strategic objectives
• Experience across both SME/start-up and larger organisational environments is advantageous

This is an opportunity for a commercially driven and strategically minded professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and is motivated to build impactful partnerships that advance cutting-edge genomic technologies.

Apply now to join Oxford Nanopore Technologies and help shape the future of molecular sensing and genomic innovation.

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.

#LI-LH1

#LI-hybrid