Associate, Strategy & Operations

Strategy & Business Development About Proxima Proxima (formerly VantAI) is a frontier AI and data generation company discovering the next generation of proximity therapeutics by making protein interactions programmable. Our platform brings together foundation-model machine learning, a scalable data generation engine, and a partnership track record exceeding $5B in collaborations across the world’s leading biopharma and tech organizations. We’ve recently closed an oversubscribed seed round with an elite group of VCs including DCVC, NVIDIA’s NVentures, AIX, Yosemite among others. Neo-1 is our all-atom foundation model that combines state-of-the-art structure prediction and molecular generation in a single system. Neo-1 enables rapid exploration of chemical and structural space for high value, previously intractable targets, and in particular unlocks small molecule proximity therapeutics like molecular glues with AI for the first time. In parallel, we are developing an advanced structural interactomics platform built on proprietary XLMS technology and a lab equipped with next-generation mass spectrometry instrumentation. This platform produces proteome-scale maps of protein interactions and helps identify small molecules that modulate proximity. Together with Neo-1, it creates an integrated system capable of co-folding protein complexes while generating candidate small molecules to influence those interactions. Proximity-based therapeutics represent one of most promising frontiers in modern drug discovery with the potential to treat previously intractable diseases and target ‘undruggable’ proteins. We’re building the tech and the team to make that happen. . Come join us! What you will do Partnerships and business development Build and maintain the diligence view on prospective biopharma partners: pipeline, therapeutic focus, deal history, decision makers, and where Proxima fits Model deal economics across upfronts, milestones, and royalties, and pressure-test the assumptions behind them Support term sheet and negotiation cycles with analysis that answers the specific question on the table Track and analyze comparable deals across targeted protein degradation, induced proximity, and AI-enabled discovery Work directly with Proxima’s scientific team to build BD materials and partnership decks tailored to specific prospective clients and responses to diligence questions. Strategy and market intelligence Own the competitive landscape. Know who is doing what, what they have published, what they have raised, and what it means for us Turn scientific and market signal into a clear point of view leadership can act on Build the analysis behind strategic decisions: which modalities to invest in, which targets to prioritize, where to build versus partner Corporate development Support fundraising: materials, models, diligence responses, and data room readiness Evaluate in-licensing, out-licensing, and inorganic opportunities Prepare board and investor materials alongside the leadership team What we are looking for 2 - 5+ years in management consulting, investment banking, corporate development, venture capital, or a strategy role at a biotech or platform company Strong financial modeling. You should be able to build a deal model from a blank sheet and defend every assumption in it Comfort with scientific material. You do not need a PhD, but you need to be able to read a paper, sit in a scientific discussion, and come out with the right questions Genuine interest in drug discovery and in what AI is changing about it Strong page-making, deck making skills - you can turn dense scientific and financial material into a clear narrative for external partners, board members and investors Nice to Haves Life sciences background or coursework Exposure to biopharma partnership or licensing deals Experience at a company under 100 people