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Locust Walk
Job Description: Vice President
Office: Boston MA, must currently reside in the Boston area or be willing to relocate before starting; must have U.S. Citizenship or Visa
Overview:
Locust Walk is a global investment bank that integrates corporate development strategy and execution with capital raising for innovative life science companies of all stages. We partner with founders, executives, and board members through all aspects of corporate development across company, asset, and deal lifecycles. Through our extensive market intelligence interfacing with investors, large pharma, biotechs, and academic leaders, we have a deep understanding of how science and data translates into actionable transactions and business strategy.
Why is this role right for you?
If you are looking to build your career with a fast-growing professional services firm with both investment banking and consulting offerings with significant upside potential in position, responsibility, and compensation, we are looking for you. The role is like working as a business or corporate development professional in a biopharma company, but you get the opportunity to work with multiple clients simultaneously on both the strategy and execution of transaction assignments as well as new company creation, providing a more dynamic environment, richer experience, and opportunity to grow professionally.
A week in the life for this role?
The Vice President plays a lead role in executing the firm's engagements and actively takes part in the firm's new business development activities. Our engagements range from licensing, M&A, and financing transactions as well as strategy and analytics projects. The Vice President leads the deal execution with support from Associates and Analysts from beginning to end with oversight but little to no day-to-day supervision. Locust Walk's new business development activities are essential to furthering our growth, being a part of the team selling new business and conducting due diligence is an important piece of the job. A Vice President will represent the diligence committee on potential client calls, help decide which projects to bring in, prepare thought pieces and leverage their personal and professional relationships in support of Locust Walk's mission.
Key career background and experience for this position?
Significant experience in life science business development and strategy is required.
We are looking for someone with at least 7 years of relevant work experience, including experience leading teams and developing new business. Transaction experience in an industry role, particularly in corporate or business development is a requirement. Our ideal candidate will also have experience from within a top-tier life sciences investment banking or strategy firm or practice working with biotech and pharma companies and with a proven record of accomplishment building new business and developing client relationships. Whether you are in an industry role and seeking the intellectual stimulation of working in a fast-paced environment but enjoy deal-making or in a related transaction advisory role seeking to broaden your experience in a supportive work environment, this job is for you.
Relevant skills and background required: The candidate must be able to demonstrate the following set of skills:
- Strong track record of executing strategic transactions (licensing and M&A from a buy-side and/or sell-side perspective) and/or private financings. Deal sheets are required
- Experience overseeing partnership discussions, managing partner/target/acquirer interactions, and overseeing the creation of high-quality PowerPoint management presentations
- 2 years of Life Science strategy consulting or investment banking experience
- Prior biotech investment banking experience a strong plus
- Strong understanding of financial modelling, including full P&L and DCF models and company and asset valuation
- Effective oral and written communication skills and comfort presenting in front of company management, Board or partners/targets/acquirers
- Aptitude to sell and build and maintain relationships with potential clients and deal counterparts
- Proven track record of working with and managing teams
- Masters degree such as an MBA or terminal science degree is a plus but not a requirement, with the right work experience
- Enjoys fast-paced entrepreneurial environment - proactive and takes ownership to solve the necessary problems to achieve firm and client objectives
- A passion for life science and transactions
Prior experience that would be successful in this role?
A business development or transaction background with a focus on biopharma is a requirement. Previous job titles below are relevant for this position:
- Senior/Vice Presidents/Head of Corporate/Business Development for small to mid-size biopharma/biotech firms; Senior/Executive Directors are also welcomed to apply assuming they have sufficient deal and leadership experience
- Vice President at an investment bank in healthcare banking with at least 2 years prior consulting experience
What is our culture?
We look for entrepreneurial, growth-oriented individuals who are committed to the success of others. We have a high-performance culture that rewards creative solutions to daily challenges, as well as a strong work ethic while enjoying the ride. Locust Walk offers a mindful work-life balance within the context of a transaction-focused professional services firm. While we have always connected in our physical locations, ate lunch together and enjoyed other team activities, we have now created a hybrid environment of in-office three days a week and work from home the other two days. We are open and honest with each other and transparent in our dealings, including information about the health of the business.
Our core values define the expectations we have for working with each other and with our clients.
Commitment to the Success of Others
- Global team-based culture with individual accountability
- No team member is left behind: we are committed to succeeding together for the benefit of both our clients and the company
Open and Courageous Communication
- In the spirit of caring for each other's success, we commit to being truthful and transparent in our communication and feedback, both to clients and inside the company and we do so with empathy and success
- We commit to thoughtful and rigorous debate and feedback at all levels of the company
- The Locust Walk Leadership Team always strives to be as transparent as possible with the company
Growth Mindset
- We thrive on challenge and are life-long learners. We are not afraid of failure, yet see it as a springboard
- Honest bi-directional feedback is important for building trusted, productive relationships
- Feedback should be given as soon as possible after an event or situation occurs rather than waiting for the moment to pass
- We are self-motivated to succeed and will do whatever it takes for our clients to succeed in an ethical manner
- We will always have a small firm ethos with an entrepreneurial mindset and minimized bureaucracy
Enjoy the Ride
- We care about and for our clients and each other
- We work hard and integrate fun into the core of what we do. We all have unique interests and find common ways of sharing them with each other
- Wins should be celebrated
- It is about the journey, not the destination
How much could someone earn in this role?
Our firm has a multi-part compensation structure:
- We pay a competitive base with other transaction focused professional services firms
- Every person at Locust Walk will be eligible to earn a bonus based on exceptional individual and firm performance that encourages both accountability as well as teamwork and helping to grow the overall business
- We provide downstream "residuals" to our senior team from equity we receive from clients if/when receive it
- We offer a great competitive Total Benefits package which includes health, dental, and vision, as well as other great competitive benefits
- We have a flexible vacation policy on top of 9 official company holidays
- We offer a 401k match
- Hybrid work schedule (Tuesday through Thursday in office)
For More Information:
Please apply on or contact to provide a resume, statement of interest and deal sheet.