Business Development Lead, Life Sciences

OpenAI

. Lead full-lifecycle strategic partnerships from partner strategy and executive alignment through scoping, commercial negotiation, execution, and ongoing operating reviews .

Posted 10/20/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $400,000 - $445,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in leading strategic partnerships within the life sciences ecosystem, effectively translating complex scientific and technical needs into actionable product and program recommendations. Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior executives and navigate ambiguous environments with clear communication and structured thinking.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic PartnershipsLife Sciences EcosystemCross-Functional LeadershipCommercial NegotiationGo-To-Market Strategy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Business DevelopmentProduct PartnershipsScientific WorkflowsTechnical ExecutionCommercial TermsPlatform AlignmentMarket DynamicsData GovernanceDeployment ModelsResearch Collaboration

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationStructured ThinkingJudgmentIntegrityInfluence

Industry Keywords

PharmaceuticalBiotechnologyAI-Native DiscoveryResearch InstitutionsExperimental LabsHealth PartnershipsGTM EnablementCloud Service ProvidersEcosystem AdoptionOperational Reviews

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead full-lifecycle strategic partnerships from partner strategy and executive alignment through scoping, commercial negotiation, execution, and ongoing operating reviews
Identify and prioritize opportunities across pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, AI-native discovery platforms, research institutions, and experimental labs
Translate partner needs, scientific workflows, technical constraints, and market dynamics into product and program recommendations with Research, Product, and Engineering
Structure partnerships with appropriate data, deployment, governance, and commercial models in collaboration with Legal, Finance, Safety, Research, and other cross-functional teams
Coordinate with Health, GTM, GSI/MSSP enablement, and cloud service provider partnership teams to drive ecosystem adoption and measurable impact
Build trusted relationships with senior executives, scientific leaders, and technical counterparts across the life sciences ecosystem
Bring structure to ambiguous opportunities, clear blockers across internal and external teams, and communicate decisions and tradeoffs to senior leaders
Shape and execute OpenAI’s global life sciences partnership strategy

Requirements

What you’ll need

12+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, product partnerships, business development, or general management across the life sciences and technology industries
Deep understanding of the life sciences ecosystem, including scientific workflows, business models, incentives, and key industry dynamics
Experience leading complex strategic partnerships spanning research or scientific collaboration, technical execution, commercial terms, go-to-market strategy, and long-term platform alignment
Ability to engage credibly with scientific, technical, product, and business leaders and translate between their priorities
Effective cross-functional leadership through influence rather than formal authority
Clear communication, structured thinking, and sound prioritization in fast-moving and ambiguous environments
Exceptional judgment and integrity
Ability to work from the US office three days per week
Work authorization in the country where the job is located

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Performance-related bonus(es) for eligible employees
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents)
Paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
Flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
13+ paid company holidays
Multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year
Paid sick or safe time
Mental health and wellness support
Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
Annual learning and development stipend
Daily meals in offices and meal delivery credits as eligible
Relocation support for eligible employees
Charitable donation matching and wellness stipends may also be provided