Associate Director, Strategic Alliance & Business Development

About this role

At Adaptive, we’re Powering the Age of Immune Medicine. Our goal is to harness the power of the adaptive immune system to transform the way diseases are diagnosed and treated.

As an Adapter, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. With Adaptive, you’ll create a career highlight through collaboration with bright, curious colleagues working at the apex of innovation and application.

It’s time for your next chapter. Discover your story with Adaptive.

Position Overview
In addition to driving new business growth within current accounts, the Associate Director leads the Alliance Management team, serving as the primary strategic alliance leader for existing MRD BioPharma partnerships, working with the team to ensure successful execution of contractual commitments, foster long-term partner satisfaction, and identify opportunities to expand and deepen collaborations. The role acts as a key liaison between the Alliance Management team and internal cross-functional teams, driving alignment across commercial, clinical, scientific, operational, and data delivery functions.
The Associate Director, Strategic Alliance & Business Development, MRD BioPharma will contribute significantly to the growth of Adaptive’s BioPharma business by driving revenue expansion, strengthening strategic partnerships, and delivering exceptional customer experiences throughout the lifecycle of clinical development programs. This role reports to the Senior Vice President, MRD BioPharma.
Leaders at Adaptive demonstrate behaviors consistent with Adaptive’s Core Values and Leadership Principles. Critical functions of your role include helping establish individual team member goals, aligning those individual goals with broader team objectives, and ensuring those objectives drive the achievement of company goals. Providing thoughtful coaching and consistent feedback to your team members will drive performance excellence and accountability, as well as support your team members’ growth and development. Leaders at Adaptive create an environment of belonging, respect, and open and honest communication every day.
Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions
Strategic Alliance Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Alliance Managers responsible for the successful management, retention, and growth of strategic BioPharma partnerships.

• Establish and manage effective alliance governance, including joint steering committees, operating teams, business reviews, escalation pathways, and decision-making processes.

• Provide strategic oversight and coaching to ensure effective account planning, alliance governance, stakeholder engagement, and execution of contractual commitments across the partnership portfolio.

• Drive account expansion and revenue growth by partnering with Alliance Managers to identify new opportunities, including additional studies, new indications, and broader adoption of Adaptive’s MRD platform and services.

• Develop and maintain integrated alliance plans, priorities, milestones, dependencies, risks, and action items.

• Lead regular partner meetings, including agenda development, preparation of materials, facilitation, documentation, and follow-through.

• Monitor alliance performance and identify emerging risks, resource needs, scope changes, and opportunities for partnership expansion.

• Facilitate resolution of cross-functional or partner-related issues through clear communication, structured decision-making, and timely escalation.

• Ensure internal stakeholders understand partner priorities, contractual obligations, governance requirements, and key business considerations.

• Partner with Business Development and account leadership during the transition from deal execution to ongoing alliance management.

• Support contract interpretation, amendments, change orders, financial planning, forecasting, and performance reporting in collaboration with Legal and Finance.

• Develop executive-level updates that clearly communicate alliance performance, strategic issues, risks, and recommended actions.

• Capture and apply alliance-management best practices, tools, and processes across the broader portfolio.

• Contribute to a collaborative, accountable, and partner-focused culture within the Alliance Management team.

• Serve as the executive escalation point for strategic partner issues, cross-functional challenges, and critical business opportunities.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams to support successful onboarding, execution, and expansion of partner programs.

• Coordinate internal stakeholders across commercial, clinical, scientific, laboratory, regulatory, legal, finance, and operational functions.

• Provide strategic insight into market trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging customer needs to inform business strategy.

• Support annual planning, revenue forecasting, and strategic initiatives for the MRD BioPharma business.

• Develop and deliver executive-level presentations, business reviews, and partnership updates for internal and external stakeholders.

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of annual revenue and business development targets.

• New partnership acquisition and contract execution.

• Expansion of existing accounts and strategic partnerships.

• Client satisfaction and retention.

• Successful execution of alliance governance and partnership objectives.

• Contribution to overall growth and strategic objectives of the MRD BioPharma business.

All other duties as assigned
Position Requirements (Education, Experience, Other)

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Biology, Biotechnology, Business, Healthcare Administration, or a related field required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, MPH, PharmD, or PhD) preferred.

• 13+ years of progressive experience in biopharma, biotechnology, diagnostics, clinical research, or life sciences, including business development, alliance management, strategic partnerships, and/or key account…