The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamSince opened our China Office in Beijing in 2007, we have been committed to supporting our Chinese partners as they play an ever-increasing role in improving the health and well-being of people both in China and around the world. Today, China is a key strategic partner on our global health and development goals. We provide financial and technical support to our Chinese partners and build bridges for international collaboration to help them accelerate innovations in health, agricultural development and poverty reduction. We create broad new partnerships to ensure these innovations reach vulnerable populations at scale as quickly as possible. Together we have seen the tremendous impact that life-saving innovations can have when they become available to those most in need. The China Office is part of the Global Policy and Advocacy (GPA) Division.
The mission of the Division is to understand and shape the public policies affecting the foundation's work, build support for its major program and policy objectives, and develop partnerships and alliances that can advance the foundation's objectives nationally and globally. Because the foundation's resources alone are not enough to solve the challenges ahead, GPA also supports advocacy efforts to engage diverse stakeholders and promote innovative solutions that advance our program goals. We work in close partnership with grantees, our colleagues in the Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, and Gender Equality programs and Foundation Communications to build the environment in which all people have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives.
Your Role
The China Officeโs Health Innovation & Partnerships (HIP) team is committed to advancing innovative solutions against global infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV, and to reducing maternal, newborn, and under-5 mortality.
We are seeking a Senior Program Officer, Health Innovation Partnerships (Drug Development Partnerships) with deep experience in pharmaceutical innovation acceleration, investment, or business development, who can identify, evaluate, and structure partnerships around promising preclinical and clinical-stage assets.
This role will focus on scouting translational development opportunities, assessing assets and platforms, and brokering collaborations with pharma companies, biotech firms, accelerators, Contract Research Organizations/ Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CROs/CDMOs), and academic partners. While a scientific background in drug research and development (R&D) is a plus, the ideal candidate is someone who will ensure Chinaโs innovations are translated into affordable, accessible solutions for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The successful candidate should have strong networks and a deep understanding of Chinaโs innovation ecosystem, and, as result will excel at scouting opportunities, building alliances, and shaping portfolios that can accelerate impactful Chinese innovations.
This postholder will be based in Beijing and reports to the Deputy Director, Health Innovation Partnerships, China Office.
What Youโll Do
a. Asset Scouting & Evaluation
Identify and evaluate promising preclinical and clinical-stage assets, with emphasis on small molecules and translational development platforms.
Prioritize scouting of therapeutic innovations for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as well as maternal and child health conditions (e.g., pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal sepsis, pediatric infectious diseases, preterm birth).
Organize subject-matter expertsโ review and rigorous due diligence on scientific (pharmaceutical), Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), clinical, and commercial potential of opportunities.
Develop clear investment cases and partnership structures to advance selected assets.
b. Partnership Building & TransactionsWork with the foundationโs Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) team for deal sourcing, structuring, negotiation, and execution with pharma/biotech companies, accelerators, non-profit product development partners, CROs/CDMOs, and academic innovators; lead post-deal management.
Forge collaborations with domestic and international pharma to support development, manufacturing, and commercialization.
Represent the foundation in deal-making and negotiations with non-profit product development partners, industry partners, and investors.
Build and sustain relationships with the foundationโs internal Program Strategy Teams and BD&L, including obtaining alignments.
c. Portfolio Strategy & ExecutionShape and manage a portfolio of drug development partnerships aligned with global health priorities. The disease areas may include infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and STIs, as well as maternal, newborn and child health conditions (outlined above).
Work with internal and external specialists to provide strategic guidance on product development plans; ensure assets are positioned for global regulatory pathways such as WHO prequalification.
Facilitate access-oriented product development strategies, such as pediatric formulations and LMIC-appropriate delivery models.
Track progress, milestones, and impact metrics to drive portfolio success.
d. Cross-Sector Engagement & AdvocacyBuild trusted relationships with a diverse community of scientific leaders, regulators, and funders to catalyze โChina for the LMICโ innovation.
Facilitate multi-stakeholder collaborations that bridge R&D excellence with market access and global health needs.
Engage with multilateral partners (e.g. WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA) and global maternal/child health advocacy networks.
Your Experience
Advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, or related field is required (MBA or dual training is also valued); R&D background (MD/PhD/PharmD), or equivalent.
10+ yearsโ senior-level experience in innovation acceleration, alliance management, pharma licensing, business development, or venture capital, with proven track record of closing deals or building partnerships around pre-clinical or clinical assets.
Extensive pharma development experience from multinational corporations and familiarity with international standards in drug development are highly desirable.
Asset evaluation skills in one or more of the following dimensions are highly desirable: pharmaceutical science, clinical development, LMIC market access, CMC, and regulatory.
Familiarity with infectious disease and maternal/child health drug development is highly desirable.
Demonstrated ability to bridge science and investment, with comfort operating at the interface of biotech innovation, capital markets, and global health needs.
Commitment to advancing equitable access to healthcare innovations in LMICs, including those for women and children.
Demonstrated excellence in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and deal structuring, supported by a strong record of success and impact.
Exceptional results orientation, combined with innovative and open-minded approach to all aspects of work.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain composure in high-pressure or fast-paced situation. Experience working in a highly matrixed environment is desirable.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, for a diverse audience; strong presentation skills, including ability to represent the foundation at external meetings.
Fluency in both English and Chinese (written and spoken) is required.
Other Attributes
Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Application deadline: 23 November 2025
#LI-RT1
Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.