Business Development Director

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, El Capitan Biosciences comprises a team of passionate, versatile, and seasoned professionals. Our team's extensive research and industry backgrounds enable us to stay at the forefront of innovation.

At El Capitan Biosciences (ECB), our mission is to advance noninvasive diagnostics and monitoring by harnessing advanced machine learning algorithms and proprietary molecular methods to extract, quantify and interpret human RNA present in stool. By enabling whole transcriptome-sequencing of human transcripts shed from gut and immune cell populations, we aim to discover clinically meaningful biomarkers that reflect mucosal integrity, presence of disease, inflammatory activity and broader gastrointestinal health. Our multiplex RNA-based panels integrate signals across multiple pathways to deliver a comprehensive, actionable picture of disease biology, supporting improved diagnosis, monitoring, and overall understanding of gut health.

Company website: https://elcapitanbio.com/

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to help shape the commercial direction of a novel platform technology
• Direct impact on partnerships with leading pharma and diagnostics organizations
• Collaborative, science-driven startup environment

El Capitan Biosciences is seeking a Director, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships to help develop and execute the company’s external collaboration strategy. This role will work closely with executive leadership and scientific teams to identify opportunities where the company’s platform can support biomarker discovery, translational research, and clinical studies in gastrointestinal and immune-related diseases.

The Director will build relationships across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem, translate the company’s scientific capabilities into collaborative research programs, and help establish revenue-generating partnerships. This role requires periodic travel to meet with partners and represent the company at industry conferences, scientific meetings, and other business events.

Depending on qualifications and performance, the role may expand over time to include broader responsibilities related to broader product and service portfolio development, helping the company explore additional commercial opportunities based on the capabilities of its technology platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Market Planning

• Work with company leadership and internal teams to define partnership opportunities based on the company’s scientific capabilities and external market needs. This includes identifying potential collaboration areas in gastrointestinal disease, immunology, and oncology, evaluating organizations conducting relevant clinical or translational research, and helping articulate the value of the company’s biomarker discovery platform. The role will also monitor scientific and commercial developments in diagnostics, precision medicine, and multi-omics technologies to help inform partnership strategy.

• Partnership Development

• Build and manage relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic medical centers, and research organizations interested in biomarker discovery and translational research. Introduce and position the company’s technology platform to stakeholders involved in translational medicine, biomarker strategy, and clinical development. Represent the company at industry conferences, scientific meetings, and trade shows to increase visibility and identify collaboration opportunities.

• Deal Execution

• Lead or support the development of collaboration agreements with external partners, including biomarker discovery projects, translational research collaborations, and clinical study partnerships. Work with internal scientific and legal teams to develop collaboration proposals, negotiate agreements, and support the successful launch of partnerships that advance scientific collaboration and generate revenue.

Candidates should bring experience in biotechnology, diagnostics, genomics, or precision medicine and a strong interest in translating scientific innovation into collaborative partnerships.

Preferred qualifications include:

• 5–8 years of experience engaging with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, or academic medical centers in areas such as translational medicine, biomarker research, or clinical development。

• Demonstrated track record leading external partnerships, licensing activities, or strategic collaborations in early-stage biotechnology or life sciences organizations.

• Familiarity with technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), biomarker discovery, multi-omics analysis, or molecular diagnostics is required.

• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.

• Advanced degree in life sciences, biotechnology, or a related field is required (PhD, MD, or MSc). MBA or additional business training is a plus.

• Experience working in multicultural and cross-border organizational environments is strongly appreciated, particularly within globally distributed teams.

• Base range: $150,000/year - $18,000/year. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skill set.

• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives, and retirement plan

• Health care and well-being programs including competitive medical, dental, vision & medical benefits.

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, & holidays

• 401(k) retirement savings with a company match

• Other comprehensive voluntary benefits include but are not limited to pet insurance, life insurance, employee assistance program, discount programs, and many more.

• We continue to optimize our benefits & wellness programs as we grow our organization to make sure they meet our diverse workforce needs.

• The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance year over year.