Associate Director, Business Development

Company: Zai Lab LLC
Location: South San Francisco
Posted on: February 17, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Company Description Zai Lab is a patient-focused, innovative, commercial-stage, global biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States. We are dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing best-in-class and first-in-class therapies that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease. Guided by innovation and driven by purpose, our mission is to leverage our expertise and resources to make a lasting, positive impact on human health worldwide. Zai Lab’s global team of 2,100 talented professionals includes industry leaders and professionals dedicated to advancing novel therapies to patients. With headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Shanghai, and teams in the U.S., China and Europe, we collaborate across time zones to deliver meaningful impact where it’s needed most. Founded in 2014 by Dr. Samantha Du, Zai Lab was purpose-built to become a leading global biopharma, combining scientific innovation, operational scale, and strong execution. Our global pipeline features ZL-1310, a DLL3 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with best-in-class and first-in-class potential in small cell lung cancer, now in clinical trials. At the same time, our R&D team is progressing several other global programs into the clinic, including ZL-1503, a bispecific IL-13/IL-31 antibody for atopic dermatitis, and ZL-6201, an LRRC15 ADC for solid tumors. In China, we’ve earned a reputation as a partner of choice for leading global biopharmaceutical companies, leveraging our proven commercial infrastructure and clinical trial capabilities to accelerate market access to our innovative products. Due to its large population, China is the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world. Our unique business model combines in-licensed assets with strategic partnerships, leveraging our in-house research capabilities to build a regional portfolio of late-stage, potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapies. Today, with eight products on the market in China, we are delivering meaningful impact for patients and building opportunities for talented professionals to shape the future of medicine. Zai Lab is publicly traded with dual-primary listings on both the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, underscoring our commitment to transparency, global reach, and long-term growth. Job Description The Associate Director, Business Development will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, and executing R&D-focused business development opportunities to advance the company’s innovation pipeline. This position will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to identify early-stage licensing and strategic alliance opportunities, lead due diligence, and drive deal execution, with a primary focus on research and development partnerships. The role reports to our SVP, Chief Business Officer and is based either in our Cambridge, MA or San Francisco, CA office. Source and Evaluate R&D and Licensing Opportunities: Identify, assess, and prioritize business development opportunities focused on research and development (R&D) partnerships, early-stage licensing, and strategic alliances with biotech and pharma partners. Conduct competitive intelligence and industry analysis to inform opportunity selection and pipeline strategy. Lead Cross-Functional Due Diligence: Coordinate and execute scientific, clinical, technical, and commercial due diligence for R&D-focused deals, synthesizing input from internal experts and external advisors to inform recommendations and decisions. Drive Deal Execution: Develop business cases, support negotiations, and partner with legal, finance, and technical teams to structure and close R&D transactions that advance the company’s innovation pipeline and strategic objectives. Prepare and present opportunity assessments and deal analytics to senior leadership. Build and Maintain External Relationships: Cultivate strong connections with R&D leaders, scientists, innovators, and business partners in the biotech ecosystem. Represent the company at scientific conferences, partnering meetings, and industry events. Manage confidentiality agreements and maintain accurate records of partner interactions. Collaborate Across Functions: Work closely with R&D, Clinical, Regulatory, Commercial, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure alignment and seamless execution of business development initiatives. Support the preparation of presentation materials and data rooms for internal and external stakeholders. Support Alliance Management: Contribute to post-deal governance, alliance management, and issue resolution to maximize the scientific and strategic value of collaborations. Contribute to BD and R&D Strategy: Monitor scientific trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscapes. Provide market and competitive insights to leadership and recommend strategic focus areas to support company growth and mission in R&D. Qualifications REQUIRED Bachelor’s degree in a life science or related field with 10 years’ experience in life sciences business development, corporate development, strategy, or management consulting within biopharma or pharma; or equivalent combination of experience and higher education. PREFERRED Track record of contributing to licenses, partnerships, or business development transactions. Strong analytical skills (scientific & financial); ability to build fact-based recommendations and drive consensus across diverse stakeholders. Excellent communication skills; proven ability to interface with internal and external leaders. Scientific and clinical literacy; ability to probe program data and development plans. Financial acumen (valuation, scenario modeling, milestones/royalties). Negotiation and influence; collaborative problem solving. Adaptability in fast-moving settings. Maintains the highest standards of integrity and ethics. Additional Information The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $176K and $205K/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. At Zai Lab, we are proud of the gender diversity of our company and our promotion of women in biotech. We have achieved gender base pay equity at all levels, 59% of our employees are women and 53% of our management positions are held by women. We are committed to the health of patients and our planet. That’s why our environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance strategy, called “Trust for Life,” is integrated within our business. Disclaimer: This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirement for the position. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability. Zai Lab is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the information we collect and to being transparent about the purposes for which we use your information. We have a Privacy Notice which sets forth our policies and practices for handling the information we collect and use in the employment context. Privacy Notice available upon request.

Keywords: Zai Lab LLC, Modesto , Associate Director, Business Development, Science, Research & Development , South San Francisco, California