Founded in Switzerland, Chaberton Professionals is the Management Recruitment division of Chaberton Partners, specializing in the search and selection of middle and senior management profiles. For the past eight years, we have reinforced our Swiss presence with key offices in Lugano, Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, and Bern, supported by our team of 230 experienced Consultants and Board Members.
For our client, we are currently looking for a Business Development and Operations Director
THE CLIENT
Our client is a tech-bio startup that develops cutting-edge AI methods in genome, protein and large language models to accelerate drug discovery and translational medicine. Due to their rapid growth they are looking to expand their Data/AI Engineering team Basel, Zurich and Lausanne.
YOUR ROLE:
As the Director of Business Development and Operations for AI Products & Services, you will be a pivotal member of the leadership team, directly supporting the CEO. Your primary responsibility will be to strategically identify and develop business models for their innovative AI-driven solutions that directly improve the scientific process in immunology, biotechnology, and drug discovery.
This role requires a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual with a deep understanding of AI's transformative potential in biotechnology and the ability to navigate both internal stakeholder communication within a leading scientific institute and external outreach to the global scientific community and potential industry partners.
YOUR TASKS:
Business Strategy and Development
- Lead the development and commercialization strategies for AI-powered solutions aimed at enhancing scientific reasoning.
- Work with the technical team to evaluate emerging AI technologies and their potential application in scientific research and tracking competitors developing AI tools.
- Collaborate closely with the marketing team to evaluate business potential of our technological capabilities and plan viable products and services.
Business Model & Impact Generation
- Develop innovative and sustainable business models for AI tools that accelerate scientific discovery and facilitate the equitable distribution of scientific knowledge and methodologies.
- Explore diverse funding streams and partnership opportunities that align with our mission to make advanced scientific tools broadly accessible.
- Conduct market analysis to identify key needs and opportunities for AI solutions.
Marketing and Communication
- Support the marketing team to design communication strategies to articulate the value proposition of the AI-enabled solutions for scientific advancement to the academic community, funding bodies, and potential partners.
- Represent the client at scientific conferences, technology forums, and stakeholder presentations to attract collaborations.
Partnership Development
- Identify, negotiate, and secure strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research funders, technology providers, and other organizations that can accelerate the development and adoption of AI solutions for scientific advancement.
- Communicate with funding bodies and philanthropic organizations to secure support for the clients initiatives.
Business Planning & Reporting
- Develop business plans, including financial projections, operational roadmaps, and growth strategies for AI-powered scientific tools.
- Prepare regular reports and presentations for the CEO and other stakeholders, outlining progress, challenges, and strategic recommendations.
REQUIREMENTS
- Degree in Business Administration, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
- Several years of experience in business development, operations, or product management, with a focus on biotechnology and/or AI-driven products and services.
- Understanding of the biotechnology and biomedical research landscape, including funding mechanisms, research cycles, and key industry players.
- Experience with the economic and operational aspects of scientific endeavors, particularly in academic research and innovation.
- Understanding of AI/ML concepts and their practical application in real-world scenarios.
- Track record of successfully leading or contributing to digital transformation initiatives in complex scientific or technical organizations.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous startup environment, demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and a proactive mindset.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and business concepts to diverse audiences.
WHAT OUR CLIENT OFFERS :
- Competitive salary package aligned with experience
- Stock options to share in the long-term success of the company.
- Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of scientific AI, driving breakthroughs in immunology, biotechnology, and drug discovery.
- A fast-paced, product-driven startup environment where ambitious ideas and rapid iteration shape the future of science and medicine.
Location : Offices in Basel, Lausanne and Zurich. Weekly travel with Switzerland is required.
Type for position : Permanent