Executive Director and Head of Alliance Management

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction.
The Head of Alliance Management is a strategic leader responsible for maximizing value across Cytokinetics' portfolio throughout the lifecycle of strategic alliances and licensing agreements. Serving as the relationship lead and strategic advisor across key collaborations, this role provides enterprise-level leadership for cross-functional alignment, alliance governance, issue resolution, and value realization while influencing internal and external stakeholders at the most senior levels.
The Head of Alliance Management serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on alliance strategy, partnership health, risks, opportunities, and value creation, ensuring alliances advance the Company's strategic, scientific, and commercial objectives. The role represents Cytokinetics in complex international collaborations requiring exceptional relationship management, business judgment, and cross-cultural leadership.
This is an on-site position, based in South San Francisco, CA reporting to our Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Chief Business Officer.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities for this position involve serving as an enterprise leader working closely with senior leaders across Commercial, Compliance, Corporate Affairs, Finance, Intellectual Property, Legal, Medical Affairs, Project Management, Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Global Supply Chain & Technical Operations and other key functions, while building trusted relationships with existing and prospective collaborators across multiple geographies.
Provide strategic leadership and oversight across Cytokinetics' alliance portfolio, ensuring partnerships are aligned with corporate strategy and positioned to deliver sustained scientific, operational, commercial, and strategic value.
Serve as the relationship lead for strategic alliances, licensing agreements, and collaborations, ensuring alignment with Cytokinetics' corporate objectives and long-term business strategy.
Lead and develop a team of Alliance Managers, providing strategic direction, setting objectives and priorities, and serving as a senior advisor to ensure effective partner strategy and execution.
Personally lead and manage strategic alliances in addition to overseeing the Alliance Management team, serving as the senior relationship owner and strategic partner to key external collaborators from alliance formation through ongoing execution.
Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and governance bodies on alliance strategy, partnership health, key risks and opportunities, and recommendations requiring senior-level decision-making.
Collaborate as a senior member of the Business Development team in the negotiation and execution of new strategic alliances and licensing transactions and provide leadership in the transition from transaction execution to effective partnership management, including ongoing planning and execution of ancillary agreements.
Develop and sustain highly effective relationships with executive stakeholders, cross-functional leaders, and senior alliance contacts and executives at partner organizations to drive collaboration, transparency, and successful execution across organizational boundaries.
Lead assigned alliance governance and performance management by driving executive decision-making, monitoring partnership health, proactively addressing risks, ensuring contractual commitments are fulfilled, and identifying opportunities to maximize strategic value.
Establish and evolve Alliance Management strategies, operating practices, governance frameworks, and standards to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of alliance management across the Company.
Lead complex cross-functional initiatives through influence, aligning internal stakeholders and external partners to successfully execute strategic priorities without direct reporting authority.
Anticipate and resolve complex strategic, operational, and relationship issues across alliances, facilitating alignment among organizations with differing priorities while protecting long-term partnership value.
Provide strategic leadership and subject matter expertise to cross-functional teams while advancing Alliance Management capabilities, governance processes, best practices, and organizational effectiveness in collaboration with Business Development and other key functions.
Build organizational capability by coaching and developing colleagues involved in alliance management and serving as a recognized internal expert and resource on effective partnership management.
Prepare and deliver executive-level communications and recommendations to senior leadership, governance committees, and external partners to facilitate strategic decision-making.
Represent Cytokinetics with senior executives and key stakeholders at partner organizations, serving as an ambassador for the Company's partnership strategy and fostering trusted, productive relationships.
Build productive relationships across global organizations, demonstrating cultural agility and flexibility while effectively collaborating across multiple countries, time zones, and organizational cultures.
Qualifications
Advanced degree (e.g. MBA, JD, PhD) with 12+ years of progressive management and post-baccalaureate experience in the biopharma industry required.
Demonstrated success leading complex strategic alliances within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, including executive level relationship management and partnership governance.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and influence enterprise-level decisions in a highly matrixed organization.
Strong scientific and business acumen with the ability to understand drug discovery, development, commercialization, intellectual property, regulatory considerations, and portfolio strategy.
Experience managing global strategic alliances, regional licensing agreements, and collaborations involving multiple geographic regions and regulatory environments.
Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts, influence decision-making, and achieve results in a highly collaborative, matrixed environment.
Demonstrated success navigating ambiguity, resolving complex issues, and facilitating alignment across organizations.
Proven ability to lead through influence, build alignment among senior stakeholders, and drive outcomes without direct reporting authority.
Demonstrated experience building organizational capability, developing talent, and advancing Alliance Management practices and capabilities across an organization.
Demonstrated experience working effectively across international teams, cultures, and time zones with the flexibility to support global partners and business needs outside standard U.S. business hours as required.
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Pay Range:
In the U.S., the hiring pay range for fully qualified candidates is $283,500-$330,750 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.
Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered. If you are excited about what you could accomplish at Cytokinetics and believe you can add value to our team, we would love to hear from you.
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