Associate Director, Business Development

The Associate Director, Business Development at Illumina is a strategic leadership role focused on defining and executing clinical and commercial partnering strategies. This leader will manage a dedicated team, collaborate globally to source, structure, and manage high-impact partnerships to accelerate revenue growth and strategic positioning. Key responsibilities include leading strategic development, acting as the primary dealmaker for AMR commercial partnerships, negotiating complex structures, and building strong external relationships. The role requires deep regional insights and cross-functional collaboration to drive global growth.

Must Have

• Minimum 15 years of experience in business development, commercial strategy, or partnerships within life sciences, healthcare, or related industries.
• 7+ years of Management experience.
• Expertise in developing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Deep familiarity with AMR healthcare markets and commercial landscape.
• Strong conceptual thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address ambiguous, high-stakes challenges.
• Proven ability to persuade and influence at senior levels and in sensitive or high-impact negotiations.
• Ability to give Executive-level presentations in a convincing, persuasive manner.
• Track record of managing cross-functional initiatives with operational and strategic oversight.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time.
• Valid passport and/or additional travel documentation may be necessary.
• Provide a deal sheet, detailing successful execution of complex deal structures with strategic partners.

Perks & Benefits

• Access to genomics sequencing
• Family planning
• Health/dental/vision benefits
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Global Head of Clinical & Commercial Partnering, the Associate Director, Business Development is a strategic leader responsible for collaboratively defining and executing partnering strategy, with a focus on clinical & commercial partnerships. This role leads a dedicated team and collaborates cross-functionally and globally to source, structure, and manage high-impact partnerships that accelerate revenue growth and strategic positioning. With responsibility for navigating complex deal landscapes and translating deep regional insights into globally aligned strategies, this leader plays a key role in delivering on the company’s global growth agenda.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic development and execution of the assigned partnering roadmap, ensuring alignment with global objectives and regional market realities, acting as a thought-partner with Regional General Managers.
• Act as the primary dealmaker for AMR commercial partnerships; accountable for all aspects of opportunity assessment, partner engagement, due diligence, financial modeling, negotiation of business terms, and deal closure.
• Develop and negotiate complex partnership structures that create long-term value, balancing commercial opportunity with risk and operational feasibility.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, Commercial, Regulatory, and other internal stakeholders to guide deals from initial concept through term sheet, contract execution, and handoff to implementation teams.
• Build and maintain strong external partner relationships, positioning the company as a preferred partner in the region.
• Provide leadership and oversight to a regional Business Development and Alliance Management team, supporting their contributions to pipeline development and partnership execution.
• Works to continuously develop team members through new assignments, constructive feedback & coaching and complex deal exposure.
• Ensure governance frameworks are established for each partnership, defining success metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and communication protocols.
• Proactively monitor and address challenges or risks to partnership performance, serving as executive sponsor for key alliances in the region.
• Deliver critical AMR market insights to inform global partnering strategies, portfolio prioritization, and opportunity evaluations.
• Drive cross-regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to help build a globally aligned, locally responsive Partnering function.
• Review regional partnership dashboards and course-correct as needed to ensure each collaboration delivers on agreed success metrics.

Requirements:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in business development, commercial strategy, or partnerships within the life sciences, healthcare, or related industries, with 7+ years of Management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expertise in developing and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Deep familiarity with AMR healthcare markets and commercial landscape.
• Strong conceptual thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address ambiguous, high-stakes challenges.
• Proven ability to persuade and influence at senior levels and in sensitive or high-impact negotiations. Giving Executive-level presentations in a convincing, persuasive manner is paramount for this role.
• Track record of managing cross-functional initiatives with operational and strategic oversight.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of the time to support team collaboration, attend key business meetings, and engage with stakeholders across multiple locations. A valid passport is required and/or additional documentation (e.g., travel visas) may be necessary based on destination-specific requirements.
• Must provide a deal sheet, detailing successful execution of complex deal structures with strategic partners

The estimated base salary range for the Associate Director, Business Development role based in the United States of America is: $167,200 - $250,800. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.