Corporate Development and Strategy Manager

Role Summary

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy, the Manager will play a critical role in advancing Ardelyx’s long-range strategic plan. This individual will support the evaluation and execution of key initiatives spanning business development, alliance management, and corporate strategy. The Manager will play a key role in sourcing and assessing external opportunities, collaborating with cross-functional teams to conduct rigorous due diligence, and supporting the execution of M&A, licensing, and other BD transactions. Success in this role requires passion for making a difference for patients, strong analytical and communication skills, exceptional organizational ability, and the capacity to think both strategically and creatively.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and monitor companies and innovation within the biotech/pharma ecosystem
• Actively source opportunities and represent Ardelyx at partnering conferences and industry events
• Be an integral member in identifying, evaluating, and executing M&A and licensing opportunities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conduct diligence and prepare comprehensive business case materials
• Play a significant role in taking ownership of financial and valuation analyses to support transactions and core strategic priorities
• Prepare executive-level presentations and materials for leadership and Board
• Monitor and synthesize market, competitive, and industry trends to inform corporate and BD strategy
• Manage the pipeline of opportunities, track key value-inflection points, and coordinate cross-functional evaluations
• Support ad hoc strategic initiatives as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree, MBA or advanced degree preferred, with 4‚Äì6 years of corporate development, business development, investment banking, or consulting within the biopharma industry or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience in deal process management, including independent ownership of financial modeling, valuation, and due diligence management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver executive-level presentations
• Strategic thinker with intellectual curiosity
• Strong emotional intelligence, confidence and interpersonal skills; able to communicate effectively in both individual and group settings
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Strong work ethic to meet deliverables and exceed expectations
• High proficiency in productivity and collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint) and experience leveraging industry databases, market intelligence platforms, and competitive landscape tools commonly used by business development professionals

Education

• Relevant degree requirements as stated in Qualifications