About Stoke:
Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) is a biotechnology company dedicated to restoring protein expression by harnessing the body’s potential with RNA medicine. Using Stoke’s proprietary approach, the company is developing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to selectively restore naturally occurring protein levels. Stoke’s first medicine in development, zorevunersen, has demonstrated the potential for disease modification in patients with Dravet syndrome and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study. Stoke entered into a strategic collaboration with Biogen in 2025 to develop and commercialize zorevunersen for Dravet syndrome. Under the collaboration, Stoke retains exclusive rights for zorevunersen in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; Biogen receives exclusive rest of world commercialization rights
STK-002 is Stoke’s proprietary antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) in clinical development for the treatment of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), the most common inherited optic nerve disorder. STK-002 has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA. A Phase 1 study (OSPREY) of STK-002 in people with ADOA is now underway. The company is also conducting early research in Syngap1, a severe and rare neurodevelopmental disorder, in collaboration with Acadia Pharmaceuticals.
Stoke’s initial focus is on diseases of the central nervous system and the eye that are caused by a loss of ~50% of normal protein levels (haploinsufficiency). Proof of concept has been demonstrated in other organs, tissues, and systems, supporting broad potential for the Company’s proprietary approach.
Position Purpose:
Stoke is seeking a dynamic and strategic Vice President, Business Development to partner with our Chief Financial Officer in establishing and executing on Stoke’s Business Development strategy. This is a key leadership role in the identification, evaluation, negotiation, and execution of new business development opportunities. The role will lead and support various other strategic projects related to Stoke’s strategy and growth. This role will report to the Chief Financial Officer.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the CFO to define the vision and strategy for Stoke’s business development efforts.
- Create growth opportunities through the identification of partnering and licensing opportunities across the company’s pipeline.
- Prepare and present the Company’s capabilities to possible collaborators.
- Collaborate with the CFO and senior executive team to evolve our Business Development Strategy as needs to do so arise, and to plan for and present in Executive Leadership Team meetings as needed.
- Manage the entire process of business development including identification, coordination of outreach and due diligence activities, facilitation of internal and external communications.
- Advance deal negotiations while maintaining internal alignment on proposed transaction terms.
- Develop and demonstrate a strong technical knowledge of Stoke’s scientific platform as well as potentially complementary external technologies, platforms, programs, etc.
- Work alongside the alliance management function generally and especially where changes to existing collaborations are contemplated.
- Continue to refine and update our Business Development 3 and 5-year strategic roadmap, including defining annual business development goals, business development and licensing success measures while aligning these plans to corporate objectives.
- Partner with the FP&A team to evaluate transactions and optimize budget planning, financial governance, and organizational due diligence related to business development and licensing needs.
- Additional responsibilities as assigned.
- Help make Stoke Therapeutics a great place to work for all Stoke team members!
Required Skills & Experience:
- Master’s degree in business administration or Master’s/PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Strong scientific and/or medical knowledge and experience.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in Business Development.
- Proven track record of developing and executing strategic transactions across all stages of clinical development.
- A strong record of sell-side transactions (R&D partnerships, licensing arrangements, joint ventures) with pharma and biotechnology companies.
- Excellent negotiation skills with a demonstrated history of successfully obtaining mutually beneficial agreements.
- Ability to understand and clearly communicate the company’s scientific platform and strategy; lead executive-level presentations.
- Deep understanding of the biopharmaceutical sector, current scientific/market trends and market dynamics.
- Strong alignment with Stoke Therapeutics’ purpose, values and mission, and a history of building strong, inspired teams.
- Demonstrated success in leading and working collaboratively within smaller, entrepreneurial environments and across multi-disciplinary teams.
Location(s):
Stoke is located in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026. This position is a hybrid position with an office setting based in MA location.
Travel:
This position will require approximately 10% travel.
Compensation & Benefits:
At Stoke Therapeutics, we are committed to offering a comprehensive, competitive and thoughtfully designed total rewards program.
The anticipated salary range for this role is
$306,000 – $367,000. The final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope, experience and qualifications, education, market benchmarks, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, Stoke offers an annual bonus and equity participation.
Our benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life, long- and short-term disability insurance; paid parental leave; a 401K plan with company match, unlimited vacation time, tuition assistance and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
Culture & Values:
At Stoke, we believe that innovation, the ability to successfully advance our ground-breaking science and having fun as a team are enhanced by being together in person, at least periodically. We allow for flexibility in work arrangements that balance individual’s needs and preferences with the needs of our business and our desire to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Our values guide our work to deliver meaningful medicines for people who need them. We are committed to being true to ourselves, to our colleagues, and to the people with severe diseases who are counting on us. We embrace diversity within a unique culture that is defined by our values. Our employee-led Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee underscores the importance of DIB to who we are and what we do.
Interested candidates: Please visit Stoke’s website to learn more and apply directly to the position listed on our Career Center:
https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/careers/
For more information, visit https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability or protected veteran status.
Stoke participates in E-Verify.
