Head of Partnership – Science & Innovation (m/w/d)
Infinite Roots® is a biotech company based in Hamburg, Germany that leverages the fungal kingdom to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. We invite you to help us unlock the full potential of fungi for a more sustainable future.
Your mission: We are looking for a passionate and strategic Head of Partnerships who can bridge science and business. In this pivotal role, you will bring our biotechnological innovations and scientific breakthroughs to market—identifying, building, and managing partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and innovation‑driven organizations. You will work cross‑functionally to translate scientific capabilities into commercial opportunities across multiple industries, creating meaningful real‑world impact.
Market Intelligence
* Track industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging technologies in biotech, foodtech, or materials
* Identify new verticals or application areas with high potential for our technologies
Commercial Strategy & Deal Structuring
* Drive the creation of partnership models, project frameworks, and commercial terms
* Develop go‑to‑market strategies for new technologies and applications
* Create business cases and partner proposals
Science‑to‑Market Translation
* Understand the scientific and technical foundation of our innovations and explain them clearly to external audiences
* Work with the science teams to identify technologies with strong commercial potential
* Translate complex scientific data into value propositions for partners
Partnership Development
* Identify and evaluate potential collaboration or commercial partnership opportunities (B2B, co‑development, licensing, etc.)
* Lead strategic negotiation with executives at potential partners and drive successful deals for Infinite Roots
Partner Management
* Build and manage relationships with partners in the food, biotech, ingredient, and materials industries
* Be the end‑to‑end owner of the partnerships and ensure ongoing alignment, satisfaction, and value creation across the portfolio
Qualifications
* Strong scientific or technical background (e.g., M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Food Science, Bioengineering, or related field)
* 6–8 years of professional experience in business development, strategic partnerships or innovation commercialization—ideally in biotech, bio‑based materials, or related sectors
* Proven ability to translate complex science into commercial strategy—understanding both the science and the market
* Solid experience in structuring and negotiating commercial agreements, managing partner pipelines, and driving deal execution
* Commercial mindset with a strong understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and value creation—ideally with exposure to sales or licensing processes
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally
* Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement for bringing new technologies to market
* Fluency in English; German is a plus
Benefits
* Work for a leading global innovator in the food industry
* Dynamic, diverse, mission‑driven team from more than 25 different countries
* Fast‑growing company with exceptional opportunities for personal development
* Flat hierarchies and short decision paths
* Flexible working hours and entitled home‑office days in an innovative and agile environment
* Gym membership, language classes or alternative benefits through our benefit program
* In‑office team events such as “lunch & learn”, “Demo Day”, cultural celebrations and food tastings
* Drinks, cereal bar, fresh fruit, and home product tasting sessions for new employees
* Join us on the journey to transform the food system
We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
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