Partnering Manager

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Position Summary

This role drives strategic partnership outcomes across Greater China and broader APAC, owning the end-to-end lifecycle of partnerships—from opportunity identification and deal execution (BD) through post-signature governance and value realization (Alliance Management). The position partners closely with Global BD/CDx, Product, Commercial, Legal/Compliance, and regional teams to build a scalable partnership pipeline while ensuring disciplined execution, risk management, and long-term value capture in the region.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development (BD) – build and execute a partnership pipeline

• Identify, qualify, and prioritize partnership opportunities across pharma, IVD, digital/AI, automation, cloud/data, and ecosystem players; maintain an active opportunity pipeline.
• Lead or support deal strategy, partner engagement, and commercial structuring (scope, value exchange, governance, pricing principles, milestones, and mutual obligations).
• Drive market and competitive analyses, partner landscape mapping, and strategic insights to support regional and global decision-making.
• Coordinate diligence, internal alignment, and cross-functional inputs (Product, Medical, RA/QA, Commercial, Finance) to progress opportunities efficiently.
• Support drafting and negotiation of MTAs, NDAs, evaluation agreements, OEM terms, CDx/clinical collaboration agreements, licensing, and other commercial contracts in partnership with Legal.

Alliance Management – operationalize partnerships and realize value

• Own post-signature onboarding: define joint operating model, governance cadence (e.g., monthly working sessions, quarterly business reviews), and escalation paths.
• Build and track Joint Business Plans (JBPs), ensuring clear deliverables, timelines, decision owners, and success criteria; drive follow-through across stakeholders.
• Monitor partner health and performance (execution, compliance, commercial progress, relationship dynamics); proactively identify risks and resolve issues.
• Manage change control, renewals, extensions, and exit/transition planning; ensure smooth knowledge transfer and continuity across internal teams.
• Coordinate partner communications and internal updates to ensure a consistent ‘one Illumina’ voice across Global–Region interfaces.

Cross-functional leadership and risk management

• Ensure partnerships are executed within applicable regulatory, compliance, and data governance guardrails (e.g., HGR/PIPL, cross-border data constraints, export controls/UEL dynamics as applicable).
• Partner with Commercial and Operations on lifecycle topics (e.g., EOL/EOSL transitions, run-out agreements, installed base support) to protect strategic optionality for next-generation platforms.
• Prepare executive-ready materials (one-pagers, business cases, decision memos, QBR decks) and present recommendations to regional and global leadership.
• Travel as needed to support partner engagements and key internal meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, PhD, MS) preferred.
• Typically 6–10+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, alliance management, corporate strategy, or related roles in Life Sciences/IVD/MedTech/Pharma.
• Demonstrated experience in deal execution and/or alliance governance (e.g., structuring collaborations, negotiating terms, running JBP/QBR cadence, issue resolution).
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills across Product, Commercial, Legal/Compliance, Medical, and Operations.
• Commercial acumen with ability to translate market needs into partner value propositions and executable programs.
• Excellent communication and executive presence; ability to produce crisp written outputs and board-ready presentations.
• Fluency in English required; Mandarin Chinese required for Greater China partner engagements (other APAC languages a plus).

Preferred Experience (Nice to Have)

• Experience with pharma collaborations and/or CDx partnerships; understanding of clinical development, registration, and evidence generation.
• Exposure to multi-omics/genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and/or clinical lab workflows; familiarity with automation and cloud/data architectures.
• Experience operating in complex China regulatory and data environments; ability to translate guardrails into practical partnering models.
• Track record of building scalable partnership ‘playbooks’ and repeatable operating mechanisms.

Success Profile (What ‘Good’ Looks Like)

• A prioritized, visible partnership pipeline with clear owners and next actions.
• High-quality, well-structured deals that protect long-term value and avoid pre-integration/self-harm scenarios.
• Disciplined alliance governance that accelerates execution and reduces partner and internal friction.
• Strong Global–Region alignment and a consistent voice to partners and internal stakeholders.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.