About HopeAI
We help biotech and pharma teams make faster, smarter, and more evidence-driven decisions across trial design, evidence generation, statistical analysis, and clinical strategy.
Backed by leading life sciences investors and trusted by industry leaders, we're building at the intersection of AI, clinical development, and drug innovation.
About the Role
We're looking for a Business Development Associate to help build the commercial engine behind HopeAI's next stage of growth. This is not a traditional corporate BD role. We're looking for someone who enjoys creating opportunities from scratch, building relationships with industry leaders, and turning conversations into partnerships, pilots, and revenue.
You'll work directly with the CEO and leadership team on strategic partnerships, conference-driven business development, market intelligence, and commercial growth initiatives.
What You'll DoStrategic Partnerships & Business Development
- Identify and engage biotech, pharma, CRO, academic, and healthcare partners
- Build and manage a high-quality pipeline of commercial opportunities
- Drive opportunities from initial outreach to partnership execution
- Support demos, pilot programs, proposals, and contract discussions
Conference & Industry Growth
- Represent HopeAI at major industry conferences including BIO, ASCO, DIA, JPM, and PMWC
- Build relationships with executives, decision-makers, and industry stakeholders
- Turn conference conversations into long-term business opportunities
- Coordinate follow-ups, partnership discussions, and strategic introductions
Market Intelligence
- Monitor developments across AI, biotech, and clinical development
- Track competitors, funding activity, partnership trends, and emerging opportunities
- Generate insights that help shape company strategy and positioning
Customer & Product Feedback
- Act as a bridge between customers and internal teams
- Help translate customer needs into product and business opportunities
- Contribute to positioning, messaging, and go-to-market strategy
Who We're Looking For
- 2–6 years of experience in business development, partnerships, consulting, venture capital, biotech, pharma, or healthcare
- Strong interest in AI, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Comfortable speaking with senior executives and industry leaders
- Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity and fast-moving startup environments
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong ownership mentality
Bonus Points
- Existing network across biotech, pharma, CROs, healthcare, or venture capital
- Startup experience
- Familiarity with clinical development or drug development workflows
- Experience closing enterprise partnerships or strategic collaborations
What Success Looks Like
Within your first year, you will:
- Build meaningful relationships across the biotech ecosystem
- Generate and advance a strong commercial pipeline
- Help convert conversations into pilots, partnerships, and revenue
- Contribute to HopeAI's positioning as a leader in AI-driven clinical development
- Help build a repeatable growth engine that scales with the company
If you're excited about AI, biotech, startups, and helping shape the future of drug development, we'd love to hear from you.
📩 Apply or reach out directly via LinkedIn DM to Xiaomai Zhang (Chief Marketing officer, HopeAI)
