Director, Strategy & Business Operations

ContactsBackDirector, Strategy & Business Operations Berkeley, CA Full Time Business OperationsApply NowPrellis Biologics is an AI-driven therapeutics company developing the EXIS™ platform—an integrated, rapid, immune-guided discovery and engineering engine capable of delivering validated drug candidates in weeks. Backed by major investors and supported by partnerships with industry leaders such as Eli Lilly, Prellis is entering a phase of accelerated growth: expanding our internal pipeline, shaping new platform applications, and exploring multiple spin-out opportunities in 2026.We are seeking a Director of Business Operations & Strategy to serve as a central leader across strategic planning, operational execution, portfolio management, partnerships, and commercialization strategy. This individual will report up through the Chief Operating Officer and work directly with the CEO, Head of BD, scientific leadership, and Board advisors to drive the next phase of company growth.Role OverviewThe Director will be responsible for translating company strategy into operational reality. This position requires a unique blend of biotech strategy, early-stage BD capability, analytical rigor, cross-functional leadership, and an ability to “connect the dots” across science, business, and execution.You will lead initiatives across:Corporate & IP strategy (2-year plan alignment, competitive analysis, platform trajectory)Portfolio strategy & asset development planning (internal pipeline and partnerships)Partnership evaluation & deal support (follow-on collaborations, BD outreach, diligence packages)Business operations (OKR planning, dashboards, resource allocation, productivity tracking)Board materials & investor storytellingCommercial and market landscaping for new therapeutic areasCross-functional program management to ensure R&D, ML/AI, and platform teams are alignedThis is a highly strategic, high-visibility role in a fast-moving company where clarity, structure, and execution will shape Prellis’ trajectory over the next several years.Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Planning & Corporate DevelopmentLead development of company-wide strategy, annual plans, and multi-year growth initiatives.Own strategic frameworks for evaluation of platform opportunitiesPartner with CEO and BD leadership to refine Prellis’ near-term and long-term strategic narrative.Conduct market, competitive, and scientific landscape analyses across disease areas (e.g. immunology, oncology, metabolic disease, TCRs, ADCs, and animal health biologics).Build business cases, operating plans, IP/tech transfer frameworks, and financial models for new departments and initiatives2. Portfolio Strategy & Internal Asset PlanningDevelop portfolio dashboards, valuation models, and decision-support materials for internal pipeline selection.Coordinate asset progression plans from discovery → AI-enhanced engineering → in-vitro function → IND-enabling decision gates.Work cross-functionally with R&D, ML/AI, program management, and platform engineering groups to ensure integrated timelines and resourcing.3. Partnerships & BD SupportCreate partner-facing materials, technical briefs, and value narratives.Support negotiation strategy, deal model development, diligence readiness, and scientific positioning.Interface with external collaborators to ensure strong operational execution against milestone-driven partnerships.Work with preclinical vendors and consultants to enable our programs to reach the clinic in the US and internationally.4. Business Operations & Organizational EnablementBuild and maintain company-level OKRs, operating calendars, decision logs, and governance structures.Partner with finance on budget development, scenario modeling, and resource planning.Drive operational excellence initiatives (data infrastructure, productivity tracking, dashboarding).Serve as a connective tissue across science, ML, operations, and executive leadership.5. Executive & Board CommunicationsDevelop...