Director Strategic Partnerships

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•Burlington, MA

3h•$172,800 - $259,200•Hybrid

About The Position

MilliporeSigma Corporation is searching for a Director Strategic Partnerships, reporting directly into the VP of Life Science Business Development within the Life Science sector covering discovery, pre-clinical, and bioprocessing domains. This role will focus on identifying key partnerships where MilliporeSigma and the partner can innovate, build, and grow together. The position involves tracking external technology developments against MilliporeSigma priorities, translating strategic insights into joint solutions, and fostering long-term competitive advantage. Primary stakeholders include R&D, product management, patents, regulatory, and controlling. Success will be measured by demonstrable business impact, accelerated innovation, effective cross-company execution, and sustainable growth derived from the partnerships.

Requirements

Demonstrated success building and scaling complex partnerships with major global life science tools companies.
Experience operating effectively within large, global, matrixed organizations.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and deliver results through influence.
Experience engaging senior executives and managing high-value external relationships.
Strong understanding of technology industry dynamics, partner ecosystems, and emerging business models.
Ability to translate complex technologies and market developments into strategic priorities and commercial opportunities.
Strong executive communication, negotiation, stakeholder-management, and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated experience in negotiation and knowledge of basic contract language and contract negotiation.
Financial acumen and ability to build and defend financial analyses and business cases including DCFs for both consumables and digital assets.
Ability to operate as individual contributor in the face of ambiguity, shifting priorities, and limited resources.
Bachelor’s Degree in a Life Science AND 10+ years industry experience in strategic partnerships, alliances, business development, corporate development, platform strategy, or a related field preferably at an MNC.
Or Graduate Degree in a Scientific field AND 10+ years industry experience in strategic partnerships, alliances, business development, corporate development, platform strategy, or a related field preferably at an MNC.

Nice To Haves

MBA
Experience structuring and scaling global technology alliances, co-development programs, or joint go-to-market initiatives.
Understanding of IP protections, contract negotiations, and Venture Capital
Experience working at the intersection of corporate strategy, product development, technology, and commercial execution.
Experience informing build, buy, and partner decisions.

Responsibilities

Owning the strategic relationship serving as the primary point of contact across the partnership.
Building trusted relationships with executives, business leaders, product teams, and technical stakeholders.
Defining and executing a multiyear partnership strategy aligned with the priorities of both companies.
Identifying high-value opportunities and connecting the partner’s technologies and capabilities with the appropriate MilliporeSigma businesses.
Advancing co-innovation and technology-integration initiatives across life science consumables, instruments, equipment, AI, robotics, digital twins, cloud, data, and enterprise platforms.
Developing joint solutions, ecosystem initiatives, and go-to-market programs that create measurable customer and business value.
Establishing effective partnership governance, including clear objectives, ownership, milestones, and measures of success.
Delivering concise, executive-ready updates on partnership progress, risks, decisions, and business outcomes.
Serving as a strategic bridge between MilliporeSigma, the partner, and the broader life science technology ecosystem.