Partner, Ventures

Redwood City, CA (Open to Flex)

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded by Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.

The Team

CZI supports the science and technology that will make it possible to help scientists cure, prevent, or manage all diseases by the end of this century. While this may seem like an audacious goal, in the last 100 years, biomedical science has made tremendous strides in understanding biological systems, advancing human health, and treating disease. 

Achieving our mission will only be possible if scientists are able to better understand human biology. To that end, we have identified four grand challenges that will unlock the mysteries of the cell and how cells interact within systems — paving the way for new discoveries that will change medicine in the decades that follow:

  • Building an AI-based virtual cell model to predict and understand cellular behavior
  • Developing state-of-the-art imaging systems to observe living cells in action
  • Instrumenting tissues to better understand inflammation, a key driver of many diseases
  • Engineering and harnessing the immune system for early detection, prevention, and treatment of disease

CZI’s work in science includes grantmaking programs, open-source software development, and close collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network. The CZ Biohub Network includes the San Francisco, Chicago, and New York Biohubs as well as the Chan Zuckerberg Imaging Institute. CZI also collaborates with institutional partners like the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University. Join us in accelerating science.

The Opportunity

Through its Ventures team, CZI invests in innovative companies around the world that are developing ground-breaking solutions to the issues at the heart of our mission while building scalable, sustainable businesses.   While we started our work in education and climate, Ventures has turned our attention and priority over the past year to science, where we have made some initial investments.   Our goal with investments, and eventually strategic partnerships, is to align closely with and accelerate our broader work in science.  

As a Partner focused on life science, you will play a critical role in helping to shape and execute our impact investment strategy and portfolio in life sciences, as well as our nascent business development efforts.  You will help lead our efforts (a) identifying and advancing scientific innovations emerging from our Science programs and Biohubs with the potential to drive meaningful impact through investment, (b) identifying and investing in companies that fill critical data, research or technology gaps that will help us achieve our goals in Science, and (c) develop strategic partnerships with companies to help us advance our Science mission.  As a senior investment leader, you will also bring expertise in managing the life cycle of investments, including sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, structuring and executing investments.  This role will require strengths in  business analysis, market assessment, financial diligence and valuation, deal negotiations and structuring, intellectual property and legal risk evaluation, and deal execution.

Our intention is to focus on early stage investments where our capital can be catalytic and impactful, and where we can leverage our extended scientific and research network and expertise.  You will be instrumental in leading the execution of new investments as well as actively engage in the monitoring and support of portfolio companies, at times as a board director or observer.  

What You'll Do

  • Lead and manage strategic early-stage investments in scientific innovations, including investments emerging from our various Biohubs as well as strategic program investments aligned with the CZ Science ecosystem’s mission.  
  • Oversee strategic partnerships and business development opportunities that accelerate the work of our Science ecosystem. 
  • Conduct rigorous scientific diligence on potential investment opportunities, evaluating the science, the technologies with the support of our extensive research and scientific network; as well as evaluating leadership, business models, and market potential.
  • Engage with entrepreneurs, founders, and partners to foster relationships and identify high-impact opportunities that align with our initiatives. 
  • Provide board-level guidance and mentorship to portfolio companies, offering strategic insights on commercialization, growth strategies, and scaling innovations.
  • Launch our strategic partnership efforts within science so we can evaluate when an investment or business development is the right tool to use
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including scientists,  program officers, and tech leaders, to ensure investments contribute to CZI’s broader scientific and philanthropic initiatives.

What You'll Bring

  • PhD in Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
  • Strong expertise in scientific research, commercialization, and business strategy.
  • 12+ years of experience in life sciences, with at least 8 years in entrepreneurship, corporate development, business development, strategic partnerships, commercialization, or investing.
  • Strong scientific acumen, with the ability to assess breakthrough discoveries and form independent, informed opinions on scientific and technological advancements.
  • Proven ability to bridge science and business, with experience in evaluating scientific innovations, structuring partnerships, and driving commercialization strategies.
  • Experience engaging with stakeholders across academia, industry, and investment communities to build strong relationships and advance strategic initiatives.
  • While prior investment or venture experience is a strong plus, it is not required—we are looking for a scientific leader who may bring investment and deal making expertise from other business and commercial experiences to shape investment decisions and drive impact. 

Compensation

The Redwood City, CA base pay range for this role is 432,000 - 648,000. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. 

Benefits for the Whole You 

We’re thankful to have an incredible team behind our work. To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible. 

  • CZI provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
  • Annual benefit for employees that can be used most meaningfully for them and their families, such as housing, student loan repayment, childcare, commuter costs, or other life needs.
  • CZI Life of Service Gifts are awarded to employees to “live the mission” and support the causes closest to them.
  • Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice. 
  • Funding for select family-forming benefits. 
  • Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving to the Bay Area
  • And more!

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

Explore our work modes, benefits, and interview process at www.chanzuckerberg.com/careers.

#LI-Hybrid 

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