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Chai Discovery · 2 months ago

VP, Business Development

San Francisco office

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

Chai Discovery is a company focused on building frontier AI models to revolutionize drug discovery and improve medicine manufacturing. The VP, Business Development will be crucial in advancing strategic partnerships and managing high-stakes deals essential for the company's growth.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Health CareLife Science

Responsibilities

Cultivate, manage, and push each deal forward. Lead negotiation of business points and translate the company’s business model and pricing strategy into clear, actionable deal structures. Serve as the operational lead managing all timelines, workflows, and cross-functional threads required to keep deals moving forward

Participate in the creation and management of 'deal maps', outlining each partnership’s path, key decision points, gatekeepers, and anticipated interpersonal, political, and business dynamics

Own the full contracting workflow, including drafting cycles, redlines, internal reviews, and coordination with external counsel, while maintaining momentum across all legal components of each deal, ensuring strategic partnerships progress smoothly from initial discussion through close

Help define and maintain the IP strategy supporting partnerships

Oversee contracts beyond partnerships, including CRO agreements and data-generation partners

Qualification

Contract draftingBiotech/pharma experienceDeal negotiationProject managementCuriosityProblem-solvingDetail-orientedGrowth mindsetCollaboration

Required

Execution-focused deal operator with legal grounding (JD preferred) and experience drafting, reviewing, and driving complex contracts forward

Background in biotech/pharma, or alternatively in startups/technology companies handling complex enterprise deals involving sensitive IP, software, AI models, or regulated data

Experience in a law firm supporting biotech, pharma, or regulated technology clients is also highly relevant

Demonstrated ability to run multi-step deals end-to-end, managing many simultaneous conversations, legal processes, and cross-functional threads

Detail-oriented and intellectually sharp, with strong judgment and the ability to spot risks, implications, and structural issues early

Hungry, thoughtful, and highly reliable, someone who founders and executives can trust with day-to-day deal mechanics

Track record of operating effectively in lean, founder-led, high-growth environments

Benefits

Frontier technology: work on the technologies that promises to fundamentally change how new therapeutics are created.

World-class people: work with world-renowned leaders in the AI x Biology ecosystem.

Velocity and ownership: we move incredibly fast and liberally distribute ownership, which means continuous learning and career growth opportunities are guaranteed.

Strong culture and mission: we foster a supportive culture that is mission-driven and high-energy.

Highly competitive compensation: we attract the best talent and compensate them accordingly.