Director of Partnerships and Business Development

Job Summary

We are seeking a technically savvy, entrepreneurial leader with experience aligning philanthropic funding sources with emerging technologies or applications in the biopharma industry. This individual will spearhead business development and partnership efforts focused on bridging the funding gap seen by many academic partners, identifying and securing funding opportunities to support cutting-edge research within the AI Simulation Business Unit. From search and evaluation to negotiation and execution, they will play a pivotal role in matching philanthropic capital with high-impact scientific advancements across pharma, biotech, and academia. Additionally, they will provide commercial and technical insights to shape the unit’s strategic direction and serve as a key liaison between researchers, potential funders, and technology partners. This role supports the commercial team and requires close collaboration with our product, R&D, engineering, and broader business teams to refine and optimize our go-to-market approach.

Core Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and secure philanthropic funding sources (foundations, family offices, impact investors, and government grants) to support research and development in biopharma-related AI & simulation technologies contributing to meeting quarterly business objectives.
• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for engaging philanthropic organizations and aligning their funding priorities with research efforts that can be accelerated by SandboxAQ.
• Lead the end-to-end process of securing funding, from prospecting and relationship-building to proposal development, negotiation, and execution of funding agreements.
• Act as the primary interface between SandboxAQ and philanthropic funders, research institutions, government agencies, and biopharma industry partners. Own any follow-up, reporting on progress, and stakeholder updates. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to create sustainable funding pipelines for high-impact research initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams—including product, R&D, and engineering—to align funding opportunities with technological advancements and commercialization strategies.

Qualifications and Skills

• Expertise in identifying, cultivating, and securing funding from foundations, impact investors, and government grants to support scientific research and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with philanthropic organizations, research institutions, and biopharma industry leaders to create sustainable funding pipelines.
• Strong understanding of high impact scientific and clinical areas within biopharma, along with the R&D funding landscape,commercialization and patient impact pathways in life sciences.
• Exceptional ability to craft compelling narratives, grant proposals, presentations , and events that align funding opportunities with scientific and business goals, effectively engaging donors and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work across multidisciplinary teams (product, R&D, engineering, business) to align philanthropic funding with research priorities and company strategy.
• Be comfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty, and working toward audacious goals.  As a start-up, we are chasing big goals. We are the CEOs of our respective domains.
• Empathetic leader who is invested in the team’s success, a champion for our customers
• Familiarity with macro trends and key players in the AI/ML-enabled drug discovery ecosystem
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Computational Chemistry or equivalent practical experience, advanced degree strongly preferred 
• Open to travel 30% of time in line with job demands

The US base salary range for this full-time position is expected to be $237k - $331k per year. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This role may be eligible for annual discretionary bonuses and equity.