Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Perelman School of Medicine

University of Pennsylvania•Philadelphia, PA

19d•$135,327 - $200,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director (ED) for Corporate Partnerships for the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) will be the School’s go-to person to help faculty build relationships with external research partners and funders (e.g., industry, government, venture capital firms) and proactively identify, cultivate, and pursue promising opportunities that align with PSOM priorities. The ED for PSOM will strengthen the interactions between PSOM and major corporations in all four phases of technology commercialization - research, development, demonstration (inclusive of clinical trials), and deployment. By facilitating strategic partnerships with selected corporations, PSOM’s vast research capabilities can be leveraged by partners to create, enhance and further develop new technologies towards FDA approval and business opportunities. Through a deep and comprehensive understanding of PSOM faculty's research programs and our expertise translating Penn discoveries to approved products combined with an ability to navigate partners with similar interests, the ED will accelerate the business development strategies of the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) and the Office of Clinical Research (OCR), as well as the corporate relations vision of the Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. The ED will work with PSOM faculty, researchers, trainees, and administration as well as executives from industry to advance these mutual research interests and to foster new relationships with corporations, non-profits, investors and government agencies. The ED will have dual reporting to PCI’s Managing Director and to PSOM’s Senior Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or technical discipline, and 7-10 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Nice To Haves

PhD, MD, ScD, or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant scientific, medical, engineering, or other technical discipline.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in business development, corporate strategy, alliance management, venture creation, or investment analysis within the biotech, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related industries.
Demonstrated experience managing complex research / commercialization alliances, licensing technologies, or supporting new venture creation and incubation
Proven track record in deal structuring, execution, and negotiation of strategic partnerships, preferably with multinational corporations
Research experience in academia and biopharma, or a related industry
Academic research administration experience / worked directly with academic researchers
Experience engaging with multiple areas within biomedical research, e.g., therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, instrumentation, digital health
Product development experience, e.g., FDA regulatory pathways, drug development
Extended professional network across biopharma and related sectors including key decision makers, e.g., pharma executives, VC investors
Experience in investor ecosystems, including deal evaluation, investment analysis, and private equity

Responsibilities

Work with PCI and PSOM leadership to define and implement a strategic outreach plan for PSOM that aligns with industry / external priorities
Create and maintain a prioritized list of target companies and agencies; identify key decision makers and understand their priorities
Develop long-term relationships with external decision makers and identify areas where PSOM’s portfolio can support companies’ /agencies’ short- and long-term strategic goals
Develop relationships with VC firms and other investors to identify and cultivate spinout opportunities and explore new funding models
Conduct scientific and commercial due diligence to evaluate partnership, licensing, and investment opportunities
Represent PSOM in external meetings, industry conferences, and strategic forums; identify relevant high-profile external events (e.g., JP Morgan Healthcare Conference) where PSOM presence is important
Serve as the primary support system for PSOM researchers and leadership pursuing PSOM-industry partnerships, from initial contact through follow-up and relationship-building
Help faculty prepare for partner meetings, (e.g., corporate visits, conferences, responding to inbound inquiries) by, for example, providing slide templates, coaching, and honing the ‘pitch’ to ensure the right message
Prepare university leadership for their engagement with potential partners on PSOM research, e.g., by providing executive summaries and partner-ready pitches
Once a connection has been made by PSOM faculty or university leadership, take ownership to ensure there is disciplined follow-up, clear next steps, and sustained momentum (e.g., follow up, shape the opportunity, and help move it forward)
Build a deep understanding of PSOM faculty and programmatic research strengths to facilitate the aforementioned outreach activities and effectively respond to the wants and needs of the government and private sector
Proactively identify opportunity areas in PSOM’s research portfolio; work with faculty to understand how their activities could potentially bridge into external interests
Create and maintain a living internal database of PSOM expertise areas, regulatory applications and potential opportunities (e.g., interview faculty, catalog expertise of faculty interested in working with corporate research groups, assemble associated papers and available Penn IP) to effectively connect industry partners to the appropriate PSOM stakeholders
Interact with faculty, PCI, and PSOM leadership, and industry partners to understand and reduce barriers to collaboration
Identify relevant grant opportunities, understand and communicate application and vetting process
Steward potential partnership opportunities, working with PCI and PSOM colleagues to position PSOM as a preferred industry partner
Identify longer-term strategic opportunities for industry engagement, e.g., framing of new funded research programs, licensing of Penn IP, creation of research alliances, executive education, and/or new company formation
Work closely and collaboratively with the PCI teams responsible for these activities and operate as a trusted business partner, providing insight and ongoing guidance around the wants and needs of potential partners and potential strategies to streamline negotiations and contract implementation
Work with PSOM faculty to develop materials that articulate how and where Penn can support longer-term opportunities for industry engagement that align with Penn’s interdisciplinary programs with a focus on PSOM
Work closely with faculty and corporations to facilitate project success, which may include working to address areas of concern
Establish processes and metrics to monitor partnership progress, including maintaining close alignment with corporate engagement colleagues outside of PSOM
Collaborate closely with external engagement peers at other schools (e.g., School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) to share best practices and align the University’s overall industry research partnership strategy
In collaboration with external engagement peers, and in consultation with PCI and PSOM leadership, develop key metrics of success and process to monitor collaborations and ensure continued productivity

Benefits

excellent healthcare
tuition benefits for employees and their families
generous retirement benefits
a wide variety of professional development opportunities
supportive work and family benefits
a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
tuition assistance here at Penn for employees, spouses, and dependent children
tuition assistance at other institutions for dependent children
generous retirement plans
pre-tax or Roth basis retirement savings
long-term care insurance
wellness and work-life resources
professional and personal development resources
access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities
free or discounted admission and memberships to Penn arts and cultural centers and museums
savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks
flexible work options
forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia
adoption assistance for eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child