Optical Business Development Manager Jobs in Rochester, MN

Laboratory Services and Partnership Development (LSPD) is seeking a Manager to support business development, external partnership, and innovation initiatives within DLMP. This role sits at the intersection of clinical laboratories, emerging diagnostic technologies, and industry collaboration. The Manager will drive high-impact partnerships, support internal innovation, and help DLMP drive strategic growth. With expanding responsibilities in vetting new advances in diagnostics and data analysis, this position offers significant visibility and influence. The role reports to an LSPD Director and partners closely with laboratory and enterprise stakeholders.

LSPD is a business development unit embedded within DLMP, focused on enabling innovation through external collaboration and strategic partnerships. The team plays a central role in identifying, evaluating, and managing relationships with diagnostic and life sciences companies.

In 2025, the team:

• Executed 50+ consultant-led third-party agreements 
• Managed 75 active company relationships 
• Completed 20+ technology landscape assessments 
• Supported 20 innovation projects within Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL) and PITA labs 

Role Overview

The Manager serves as a key operator in advancing DLMP's innovation and partnership strategy. This individual will lead evaluation, negotiation, and execution of collaborations with third-party partners, while also supporting internal test development and freedom to operate efforts.

The role blends strategic analysis with hands-on execution, including financial modeling, intellectual property strategy, and project leadership. The Manager also acts as the primary business lead for an assigned DLMP Division.

This position offers meaningful independence in day-to-day work, while operating under the guidance and supervision of an LSPD Director.

Team Structure & Growth

• This role does not have direct reports 
• The Manager will work alongside one peer at the same level 
• The team is led by a Senior Director, with Directors and Managers operating as key individual contributors 
• There is a clear pathway to advancement, with opportunities to move into Director roles as positions become available through team growth or transitions 

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Deal Execution

• Lead evaluations, negotiations, and execution of third-party collaborations 
• Structure and negotiate agreements, including IP in-licensing and collaboration models 
• Manage ongoing partner relationships and collaboration lifecycles 

Business Strategy & Analysis

• Conduct business opportunity assessments across diagnostic technologies 
• Develop financial models and business cases to support investment decisions 
• Perform technology landscape assessments to identify trends and leading vendors 

Innovation Enablement

• Identify emerging diagnostic technologies through conferences and industry engagement 
• Vet technologies against laboratory-specific clinical and operational criteria  
• Enable early access to new platforms from leading and emerging companies 

Stakeholder Leadership

• Serve as the primary business lead for an assigned DLMP Division 
• Coordinate intake and prioritization of resource requests from Mayo Collaborative Services (MCS) 
• Facilitate MCS-Biopharma collaborations and enterprise-level initiatives 
• Foster cross-functional collaboration across Mayo Clinic 

Operational & Program Support

• Support development and administration of the Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL), a beta / proving ground lab for new diagnostic technology
• Participate in Operational Excellence initiatives 
• Conduct business risk assessments for internal and external projects 

Why Join LSPD

• Work directly with leading diagnostic and life sciences companies shaping the future of healthcare 
• Operate at the center of innovation within a premier clinical laboratory environment 
• Engage in a diverse role spanning strategy, deal-making, and execution 
• Contribute to high-visibility initiatives with enterprise-wide impact 
• Join a team with expanding scope into new areas of diagnostics and lab data analysis. 
• Benefit from a clear pathway to leadership within the organization

**This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Also, Mayo Clinic DOES NOT participate in the F-1 STEM OPT extension program**

Bachelor's degree in Science, Business or other healthcare related field and five years business, business licensing, life sciences and/or life sciences industry experience required, two of which must be in one of the following areas: negotiations and acquisition of licenses and related agreements, intellectual property management, technology acquisition, and managing collaboration agreements for strategic technologies and intellectual property. Master's degree in Science, Business or other healthcare related field and healthcare industry experience strongly preferred. 

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with a variety of diverse backgrounds. Requires self-direction, strong project management skills, time management skills and the ability to manage several projects simultaneously.