Vice President, Business Development & Strategy

Xilis, Inc. is an innovation-driven biotech company developing its proprietary MicroOrganoSphere (“MOS”) Technology for functional precision oncology. Xilis’ MOS Technology enables rapid and scalable generation of patient tumor models that retain patient-specific tumor biology and tumor microenvironment, representing one of the most translationally-relevant ex vivo technologies for precision oncology drug discovery and development. Located in Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, Xilis is building a functional precision medicine platform that incorporates scaled multi-modal profiling of therapeutic activity and AI/ML-enabled analytics to catalyze functional precision medicine drug discovery, development and diagnostics. Collectively, Xilis aims to harness its MOS Platform to enable development of the most effective therapeutics and guide them to the right patients at the right time.

We are seeking a Vice President of Business Development and Strategy to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for leading our diagnostics and biopharma services, collaborations and partnering activities, alliance management, and high-impact internal strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities include sourcing and structuring partnerships with diagnostics, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies, overseeing work performed under these partnerships, and working with Xilis leadership to identify new strategic opportunities. This role requires deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and a pragmatic mindset as you interface with senior Xilis leadership, partners, collaborators, and other external stakeholders. Success in this position will require a strong track record in business development and partnering, in conjunction with a versatile background and the ability to effectively operate in a fast-paced biotech start-up environment. The candidate will report to our CEO. 

While we prefer this person to be located in the Raleigh / Durham area, we are open to being located anywhere in the U.S.

We’ve engaged Slone Partners to lead this search. If you’re interested in the role, please reach out directly to Kim Feitosa at kimf@slonepartners.com.

• Become an expert on Xilis’ MOS Platform capabilities to identify and advance collaborations and partnerships
• Sourcing, structuring and managing biopharma services, collaborations, and partnerships in the biopharma and diagnostics space
• Structure and negotiate partnership agreements, involving the appropriate internal team members
• Manage, cultivate, and expand existing relationships with partners in the space
• Establish and build relationships with senior executives at pharmaceutical and biotech companies
• Attract, develop, direct, motivate, and drive performance from the team (internal and external)
• Lead internal strategic initiatives with Xilis leadership and CEO

• PhD/MD or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant life sciences field or MBA with technical BS; Background in life science consulting is a plus
• Deep understanding of oncology therapeutics development and current trends in oncology biotech and pharma space
• 7-10 years' experience in business development, alliance management, or strategy
• Ability to learn and understand healthcare, biology, and technical concepts quickly
• Ability to structure deals and understand the needs of multiple parties
• Accountable, proactive, and thoughtful with demonstrated strategic problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
• Willingness to travel approximately 20%

Xilis was created when its three founders — an engineer, a physician, and a biologist — decided to come together and commercialize their technology to transform cancer care. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. Furthermore, even if your work experience isn't perfectly aligned with what we've described above, if you're excited about what we're building then we want to talk to you!

Xilis offers comprehensive health, vision, dental & retirement plans, and unlimited PTO. We are a remote-friendly team: our headquarters are in Durham, North Carolina, but we have team members across the US (and beyond!).