2BladesBusiness Development Manager (BDM)
2Blades is seeking an exceptional candidate to help the organization contribute to global food security and climate adaptation by serving as its Business Development Manager.
Background:
2Blades is a unique, non-profit, agbiotech translational research organization, with leading international expertise in plant science. We contribute to the agricultural innovation chain by advancing and delivering genetic resistance to critical unmanaged pests and diseases of major crops. We work globally with the public and private sectors to improve farmers’ productivity and incomes by reducing crop disease and yield loss, and to contribute to more sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. We work on behalf of both large-scale and smallholder farmers and to date have demonstrated resistance in wheat, soy, potato, tomato, and citrus against their most challenging disease threats. In our work, 2Blades prioritizes values of trust, accountability, creativity, and excellence.
Business Development Manager (BDM) position:
2Blades seeks an entrepreneurial individual with business development (BD) experience in the life sciences to join 2Blades’ executive team. 2Blades takes a product-driven mindset to advance current knowledge of plant-pest interactions into crop varieties for long-lasting resistance to diseases. We engage with downstream delivery partners in both the commercial seed industry and non-profit food security sector to deliver outcomes for more resilient and sustainable food systems. The BDM will help to create impact from 2Blades program and technologies by fostering strong relationships with industry partners to achieve 2Blades’ mission.
Primary responsibilities of the position are to:
– Identify, establish, and manage inter-institutional partnerships for downstream delivery of 2Blades’ programs
– Explore opportunities for technology licensing and establish appropriate licenses in line with 2Blades’ business model
– Identify new business opportunities
In support of these responsibilities, the BDM will:
– Foster existing and establish new relationships with business partners
– Lead the exploration and closing of business deals
– Participate in contract strategy and drafting with internal staff and outside counsel
– Participate in intellectual property strategy and drafting with internal staff and outside counsel
– Track and communicate BD strategy clearly to executive team and board
Education, experience, and skills:
We seek a candidate with strong knowledge and skills in business development, alliance management, contracts, and licensing of plant science projects and technologies. Experience in agriculture and the seed industry is preferred. Specifically,
– Knowledge of the agbiotech/seed industry: biotechnology, genomics, gene-editing, plant pathology, disease resistance, plant breeding, and/or molecular marker applications
– 5 or more years of experience in a business development role
– Experience with negotiation, execution, conduct, and management of performance-based contracts
– The capacity to evaluate, justify, and make recommendations on deal structure and agricultural R&D
– A consultative engagement mindset, seeking to ensure value for partners and build strong long-term relationships
– Experience with intellectual property matters
– Ability to thrive in a highly dynamic, multicultural, and multi-site environment
– Dedication to the mission of translating science innovation for sustainable food production and improved food security
Location:
2Blades’ headquarters are in Evanston, IL, and it has laboratories in Norwich, UK, and St. Paul, MN and offices in North Carolina. The position is open to in-person or remote work. The position will involve travel (international and domestic) of up to 30% of the time.
Compensation:
A highly competitive compensation package including base salary, generous 401k program, and complete benefits is available.
Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a one page cover letter and resume via email to Diana Horvath at bdm@2blades.org. Submissions without a cover letter will be considered incomplete and will not be advanced. No calls please.