Associate Director/Director, Business Development

Company: Kura Oncology
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Are you ready to join a team committed to making a meaningful impact on cancer treatment through the discovery and development of precision medicines? At Kura Oncology, you have an opportunity to be a part of something bigger, with a lasting impact that you can be proud of. At Kura Oncology, we are working to change the paradigm and improve the science of cancer treatment. As an organization, we strive to cultivate a diverse and talented professional culture driven to develop precision medicine therapeutics. As we continue to build a leading biotech organization with a strong culture, a patient-focused mindset and a team focused on relentless execution, we are looking for innovative, passionate professionals to join us and make our vision a reality. To succeed at Kura, you will need to have a demonstrated ability for excellence in drug discovery and development and a roll-up your sleeves attitude. The ideal candidate will possess a values-driven work style where integrity and grit drive all behaviors, decisions, and actions. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Working closely with senior executives and operational leaders of the company, assists in the execution of licensing opportunities, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. Initiate and lead discussions with the appropriate level of decision maker within potential biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners to establish ongoing and sustained dialogs around collaboration opportunities. Analyze the universe of prospective pharmaceutical customers and develop and execute on an approach leading to strategic partners as well as development partners to maximize the value of the Company’s programs, technology and intellectual property. Develop confidential and non-confidential program and technology packages and corporate overviews for prospective partners, including market potential, pre-clinical and clinical information Assesses potential business opportunities based on analysis of research data related to new products for the company. Partner with competitive intelligence team to enhance and maintain various relevant competitive landscape analyses, to inform deal negotiation strategy and overall BD strategy. Serves as a significant resource for licensing planning and implementation. Serves as a key organizational representative during the due diligence process in assessing targeted opportunities. Leads search & evaluation efforts, recommends product acquisitions and/or the development of new products to meet the strategic goals of the company. Works closely with internal/external members of Legal, Development, Project Management, R&D, and Finance in the development and implementation of strategies, plans and business models. Conducts financial modeling and commercial analysis to support strategic decision making. Formulates, negotiates and finalizes business agreements. Deliver business development updates covering account activity and work closely with management to ensure attainment of objectives. Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor. Job Specifications: Bachelor’s degree in life science discipline or equivalent. MBA preferred. Seven plus year’s relevant experience in business development with demonstrated success building business development initiatives in the biotech industry. Broad and detailed knowledge of all aspects of the pharmaceutical R&D process from early discovery through to marketed products, in addition to expertise in business development. Knowledge of the market and competitive environment including deal activity and potential opportunities, particularly in the oncology space. Strong understanding of biopharma deal structures with extensive experience in negotiations, valuation, corporate finance, and deal structuring. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong "active listening" skills, to effectively convey key recommendations to senior management, and proven ability to "think on your feet". Ability to work independently, in a fast-paced environment while demonstrating the ability to collaborate across and within teams. Demonstrated ability to establish new alliances and expand existing ones. Experience negotiating business development deals of significant financial value. Strong financial, analytical and program integration skills, familiarity with financial/deal modeling in Excel. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, Must be familiar with Microsoft Office applications. The base range for this role at an Associate Director level is $180,000 - $208,000 and Director level would be $228,000 - $265,000 per year. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location, and relevant education or training. Kura's compensation package also includes generous benefits, equity, and participation in an annual target bonus. LI-RM1 Kura’s Values that are used for candidate selection and performance assessments: We work as one for patients We are goal-focused and deliver with excellence We are science-driven courageous innovators We strive to bring out the best in each other and ourselves The Kura Package Career advancement/ development opportunities Competitive comp package Bonus 401K Employer contributions Generous stock options ESPP Plan 20 days of PTO to start 18 Holidays (Including Summer & Winter Break) Generous Benefits Package with a variety of plans available with a substantial employer match Paid Paternity/Maternity Leave In-Office Catered lunches Home Office Setup Lifestyle Spending Stipend Commuter Stipend (Boston Office) Regular employee social activities, including happy hours, monthly birthday celebrations, Kura Koffee Talks, and much more! Kura Oncology is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s pipeline consists of small molecule drug candidates designed to target cancer signaling pathways. Ziftomenib, a once-daily, oral menin inhibitor, is the first and only investigational therapy to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (“R/R”) NPM1 -mutant acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”). In November 2024, Kura Oncology entered into a global strategic collaboration agreement with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. to develop and commercialize ziftomenib for AML and other hematologic malignancies. Enrollment in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial of ziftomenib in R/R NPM1 -mutant AML has been completed, and in the second quarter of 2025, the companies announced the FDA’s acceptance of a New Drug Application for ziftomenib for the treatment of adult patients with R/R NPM1 -mutant AML and assignment of a Prescription Drug User Fee Act target action date of November 30, 2025. Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin are also conducting a series of clinical trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care in newly diagnosed and R/R NPM1 -mutant and KMT2A -rearranged AML. KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies for patients with various solid tumors. Tipifarnib, a potent and selective farnesyl transferase inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with alpelisib for patients with PIK3CA -dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. For additional information, please visit Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn . Kura Oncology is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. If you are a California resident, please see the attached Privacy Notice CA Privacy Notice

Keywords: Kura Oncology, Santee , Associate Director/Director, Business Development, Science, Research & Development , San Diego, California