Director, Strategic Initiatives

• The Role
• We are looking for someone who can step in as a direct extension of the CEO — independently owning and executing the external strategic work that keeps Orum visible, connected, and positioned for its next phase of growth. This is not a support role. This is a build role.

Key Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO to define, scope, and execute high-priority strategic initiatives then run them independently

Translate strategic direction into actionable plans with clear milestones, owners, and measurable outcomes

Build new organizational capabilities where no existing function currently owns them

Serve as the day-to-day owner so the CEO is informed

Develop and manage strategic relationships across Korean and global biotech — government, industry associations, KOLs, early stage VCs, and pharma partners

Represent Orum at industry/investor conferences, Korea biotech forums, and global partnering meetings

Strengthen Orum's visibility and positioning within the Korean and global biotech community

Leverage your existing network to open doors and create opportunities Orum doesn't yet have access to

Establish a sustainable Korea market intelligence process covering scientific, clinical, commercial, and market dynamics to support opportunistic new strategic initiatives

Deliver concise, executive-level market intelligence outputs that feed directly into strategic planning positioning

Build repeatable tools and processes so the capability outlasts the build phase

Required Qualifications

PhD or equivalent in life sciences; hands-on drug development experience (IND, clinical, or preclinical) strongly preferred

Demonstrated track record of building ecosystems, partnerships, or capabilities from scratch — not just maintaining existing operations

Deep network in Korean biotech, academia, and/or global VC/pharma BD circles

Comfortable operating as an individual contributor in an ambiguous, resource-constrained environment — no team, no institutional brand behind you

Proven ability to translate scientific and strategic concepts for diverse stakeholders: investors, pharma partners, government, academia

Strong project management discipline — can own complex initiatives end-to-end without close supervision

Bilingual Korean/English required; China connectivity a plus

Seoul or Daejeon-based; hybrid model; business travel as needed — no restrictions for genuine business needs

What We're Looking For

A builder — energized by creating something from zero; loses interest when things are on autopilot, and that's exactly what this role needs

Strategic — connects external signals to internal priorities; sees around corners and brings the CEO the right information at the right time

Networked — has existing relationships across K-biotech, global pharma, and VC that can be activated on day one

Independent — takes ownership of initiatives and drives them to completion without close supervision; comfortable with ambiguity and a flat structure

A communicator — bilingual, cross-cultural, and able to represent Orum credibly to investors, government, academia, and industry partners alike

Unable to work with third-party candidates or agencies. Candidates must be able to pass a background investigation.

Orum Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).