Senior Director, Business Development

About the role

Sana Biotechnology is expanding its team and is looking for someone who is energized by the promise of engineered cells as medicines, motivated by the goal of helping patients, and excited to tackle innovative ideas. In this Senior Director, Business Development role, you will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer and lead important business development efforts for a publicly listed biotechnology company advancing cell and gene therapy programs. The role is a central one in identifying, evaluating, shaping, negotiating, and managing transactions that support long-term growth, including licensing, partnerships, collaborations, co-development arrangements, platform deals, and other strategic opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Take the lead or a major role in completing business development transactions such as in-licensing, out-licensing, co-development, co-commercialization, research collaborations, platform partnerships, option-based structures, strategic supply arrangements, geographic licenses, joint ventures, and similar deal types.
• Run cross-functional diligence efforts with teams across R&D, technical operations/CMC, clinical, regulatory, legal, intellectual property, finance, commercial, and executive leadership.
• Create business cases, valuation models, competitive analyses, and deal rationales to support internal decisions.
• Work with legal and executive teams to shape, negotiate, and close term sheets, letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, and final agreements.
• Prepare presentations and recommendations for senior leadership, executive committees, and the Board of Directors.
• Develop and sustain strong working relationships with biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and academic partners.
• Act as a primary contact for current and prospective partners, representing the company with professionalism, credibility, and strategic judgment.
• Support alliance handoffs and post-signing governance when needed to help strategic partnerships run smoothly.
• Collaborate closely with internal leaders in research, development, manufacturing, commercial, finance, legal, IP, investor relations, and corporate strategy.
• Help align the organization around external opportunities by bringing together scientific, clinical, strategic, operational, and financial viewpoints.
• Contribute to corporate planning work such as portfolio prioritization, long-range planning, and strategic review processes.
• Build financial frameworks to evaluate and compare potential transactions effectively.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in biotech or life sciences business development, with a focus on technology licensing or technology transfer; equivalent education and experience may be considered even if a specific degree is not held.
• Strong understanding of the scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial factors that influence therapeutic development.
• A demonstrated record of negotiating and closing complex deals, with strong strategic thinking, financial and transaction skills, and cross-functional leadership.
• Ability to work effectively with senior internal leaders and outside stakeholders while handling executive-level visibility and confidentiality.

Preferred background

• An advanced degree such as an MD, PhD, MBA, or JD will set you apart.
• Experience working in a public company environment is an advantage.

Additional information

The expected base salary at the start of employment is $250,000 to $315,000 per year. Final compensation may differ depending on factors such as market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The role is based in the Cambridge, MA office.

Working style and values

• Lead from every seat: seek understanding, act honestly, and engage in difficult conversations.
• Thrive as a team: hire great people, stay curious, and build inclusion and personal connection.
• Make it happen: value healthy debate, align on decisions, and execute with resilience.

Benefits

Benefit-eligible employees receive a strong package that includes a substantial employer contribution toward health coverage, paid time off options such as holidays, vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage, employer-paid basic life insurance, optional additional life insurance, financial wellness support including planning resources, a 401(k) plan with immediately vested employer match, tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment support, an employee stock purchase plan, commuter subsidy, and a range of wellness offerings.

Equal opportunity and accommodations

The company is committed to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics under applicable law, including race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, HIV or Hepatitis C status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, political ideology, social class, caste or caste identity, protected leave status, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking victim status, and other legally protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.