Senior Director, Virtual Biology Initiative

Biohub is the first large-scale initiative bringing frontier AI models, massive compute, and frontier experimental capabilities under one roof. We're building a general-purpose system to accelerate scientific discovery, integrating frontier AI models, biological foundation models, and lab capabilities, with the ultimate goal of curing disease. Our technology powers scientists around the world, translating AI capabilities into tools that accelerate research everywhere.

The Team

The Virtual Biology Initiative has the potential to transform biology by creating the data foundation needed for predictive AI models of living systems. Achieving this vision will require an unprecedented level of collaboration across the global scientific ecosystem.

The Opportunity

The Senior Director of the Virtual Biology Initiative is a strategic business and partnership leader who helps guide the long-term growth of VBI’s global ecosystem of collaborators.

This leader will help shape and execute the partnership strategy that connects leading research institutions, technology providers, industry, philanthropy, government, and other key stakeholders around a shared scientific vision. They will deepen long-term relationships, cultivate new strategic partnerships, and translate scientific ambition into sustained collaboration, while supporting the VBI community as new partners come on board.

Working closely with scientific, technical, legal, policy, and operational leaders, the Senior Director will coordinate across disciplines to ensure partnerships advance VBI’s priorities and contribute to a cohesive, scalable ecosystem. While scientific fluency is important, success in this role comes from exceptional relationship-building, strategic judgment, and the ability to align diverse organizations around common goals.

What You'll Do

As the Senior Director of the Virtual Biology Initiative, you will play a central role in strengthening and growing that ecosystem, bringing together the organizations, partnerships, and long-term collaborations needed to accelerate a new era of AI-enabled biology.

Lead strategic partnerships to accelerate the impact of the VBI ecosystem

• Help lead VBI’s external partnership and ecosystem strategy, evolving it as the initiative grows in scale and complexity and as the field advances.

• Deepen trusted relationships across research institutions, technology and platform providers, industry partners, philanthropies, government agencies, and other strategic collaborators.

• Represent VBI externally and serve as a trusted ambassador for the initiative.

• Own the full lifecycle of strategic partnerships, from initial engagement through negotiation, launch, and long-term relationship management.

• Structure and negotiate complex, multi-party collaborations that advance VBI’s scientific and organizational objectives.

• Cultivate executive-level relationships that enable enduring collaboration and sustained partner engagement.

• Maintain a healthy, active portfolio of strategic partnerships that supports the long-term growth of the initiative.

Drive cross-functional collaboration and deepen engagement with the scientific community

• Partner closely with scientific, technical, legal, policy, and operational teams to translate partnership opportunities into successful collaborations.

• Align external partnerships with VBI’s evolving scientific priorities and organizational strategy.

• Coordinate across multiple stakeholders to remove barriers, maintain momentum, and ensure successful execution of complex initiatives.

Help shape the future of the initiative

• Contribute to governance models and collaborative frameworks that enable effective participation across a diverse global community.

• Keep VBI’s partnership strategy aligned with the pace and direction of the field, anticipating shifts in technology, data, and scientific practice.

• Bring an external perspective on emerging opportunities, partnerships, and ecosystem trends that can accelerate VBI’s goals.

What You'll Bring

We’re looking for a leader who combines exceptional business development skills with the ability to operate effectively in highly technical, mission-driven environments.

• Significant experience (15+ years) in business development in the life sciences, including work across academia, industry, philanthropy, government, or research organizations.

• A demonstrated track record of negotiating and closing complex, multi-party partnerships.

• Experience working with scientific consortia, collaborative research programs, or large multi-institution initiatives is strongly preferred.

• Scientific fluency that enables productive engagement with researchers and technical experts, even if you are not a practicing scientist.

• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and executive influencing skills.

• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives through influence and collaboration.

• Strong operational discipline and the ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for a new hire in this role is $274,000.00 - $343,000.00. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.

Better Together

As we grow, we’re excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment. This role is a hybrid position requiring you to be onsite for at least 60% of the working month, approximately 3 days a week, with specific in-office days determined by the team’s manager. The exact schedule will be at the hiring manager's discretion and communicated during the interview process.

Benefits for the Whole You

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible.

• Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.

• Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice.

• Funding for select family-forming benefits.

• Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

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