JOB SUMMARYWe are seeking an experienced Associate Director or Director of
Alliance Management to support AI discovery collaborations. In this role, you will serve as the primary relationship lead for external partnerships, contribute operationally to collaborations, and work closely with other leaders in Iambic to ensure that collaborations advance scientific, operational, and strategic objectives.
You will coordinate cross-functional teams across machine learning, computational chemistry, biology, software engineering, legal, and business development while serving as a trusted partner to pharmaceutical and biotechnology collaborators. Success in this role requires exceptional program leadership and relationship management, together with the ability to translate complex scientific goals into well-executed collaborative projects.
We will prefer candidates who can work onsite at our SD Headquarters, but we are open to hybrid working models and remote US-based applicants.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Serve as the primary alliance manager for AI-enabled drug discovery collaborations and strategic external partnerships.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and technology partners across scientific, operational, and executive levels.
- Lead collaboration governance, including Joint Steering Committees (JSCs), scientific working groups, executive reviews, agendas, action tracking, and decision documentation.
- Partner with Discovery Machine Learning, Computational Chemistry, Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Software Engineering, Legal, Business Development, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on collaboration objectives, milestones, and deliverables.
- Develop and maintain integrated collaboration plans, including timelines, governance milestones, partner commitments, contractual obligations, budgets, and partnership metrics.
- Coordinate cross-functional execution across multiple partnered programs by proactively identifying risks, tracking dependencies, facilitating issue resolution, and ensuring operational excellence.
- Translate complex AI, machine learning, computational chemistry, and scientific concepts into clear, actionable updates for external collaborators while ensuring alignment between technical teams and partner objectives.
- Develop sufficient technical understanding of Iambic's AI discovery platform and computational workflows to effectively represent collaborative programs, anticipate partner questions, and facilitate productive scientific discussions.
- Partner with Legal and Business Development to support collaboration agreements, governance structures, data sharing, publications, and strategic partnership activities.
- Prepare executive updates, partnership reports, and presentations while contributing to evaluation and launch of new strategic collaborations.
- Help establish and continuously improve alliance management processes, governance standards, and best practices as Iambic's collaboration portfolio grows.
QUALIFICATIONS- Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, engineering, business, or related field; advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) preferred
- 12+ years of experience (Associate Director) or 15+ years (Director) in alliance management, scientific program management, project management, or scientific operations within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or AI-driven life sciences.
- Experience managing complex scientific collaborations and strategic partnerships.
- Understanding of drug discovery, machine learning, or computational research environments.
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
Preferred- Experience supporting AI, machine learning, computational biology, computational chemistry, or AI-enabled drug discovery organizations.
- Experience working with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, or technology collaborations.
- Familiarity with collaboration agreements, governance structures, and cross-company research programs.
- Alliance Management (ASAP), PMP, or similar certification.
PAY AND BENEFITS
We offer industry leading competitive pay, company paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401K matching, and uncapped vacation to our team. We are in a brand-new state-of-the art facility in beautiful San Diego with an onsite gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.
