Executive-in-Residence (EIR) – Breakthrough Bio, Pharma/Biotech

MassChallenge•Boston, MA

10d•$0 - $18,000•Hybrid

About The Position

MassChallenge is seeking a Pharma/Biotech Executive in Residence (EIR) to support the Breakthrough Bio biotech track. As the EIR, your mission is fourfold: Support Startup Growth in Biotech: Provide technical and strategic guidance to startups developing small molecule, biologics, cell therapy, or gene therapy programs. Mentor and Advise Founders: Deliver targeted mentorship on clinical and regulatory readiness, pharma partnership formation, and investor storytelling. Strengthen the Ecosystem: Engage with pharma companies, biotech investors, and translational research institutions across Boston, San Diego, and Philadelphia to expand the program's impact. Mobilize Your Network: Rally your own professional and industry contacts to attend and engage directly with cohort startups at the program's flagship convenings in Boston, California, and Philadelphia. This EIR engagement spans the full Breakthrough Bio biotech cohort cycle, October 2026 through July 2027, at approximately 5 to 8 hours per week. The time commitment is not evenly distributed. It scales up around three flagship convenings, where in-person attendance is expected: Boston Kickoff (week of January 11, 2027), California Market Access Sprint / LSI USA (week of March 15, 2027), Philadelphia Finale (week of June 7, 2027). Between convenings, the EIR supports the cohort remotely through mentor sessions, office hours, and curriculum input, concentrated in two phases: Virtual sessions and office hours (February 2027), Virtual sessions and office hours (April to May 2027).

Requirements

Proven track record as a founder, technical leader, or senior executive in therapeutic development, clinical development, or pharma business development, ideally with experience supporting Seed to Series A companies.
Strong, mobilization-ready connections with pharma companies, biotech investors, and translational research institutions, and a demonstrated willingness to bring those contacts directly into the program.
High emotional intelligence (EQ) and a passion for guiding early-stage entrepreneurs.
Dedication to supporting founders building therapeutics and life sciences solutions.
Familiarity with FDA drug approval pathways, clinical trial design, and pharma partnership structures.

Responsibilities

Provide technical and strategic guidance to startups developing small molecule, biologics, cell therapy, or gene therapy programs.
Deliver targeted mentorship on clinical and regulatory readiness, pharma partnership formation, and investor storytelling.
Engage with pharma companies, biotech investors, and translational research institutions across Boston, San Diego, and Philadelphia to expand the program's impact.
Rally your own professional and industry contacts to attend and engage directly with cohort startups at the program's flagship convenings in Boston, California, and Philadelphia.
Share subject matter knowledge across therapeutic development, drug discovery, clinical development, and pharma partnership models.
Contribute to the Boston Kickoff curriculum, including U.S. regulatory pathways, clinical strategy, investor storytelling, market access, reimbursement, and enterprise procurement considerations.
Provide one-on-one and group mentorship on clinical and regulatory readiness and pharma partnering strategy.
Connect founders with pharma companies, biotech investors, and translational research stakeholders in Boston and San Diego.
Personally invite and rally pharma, investor, and regulatory contacts from your own network to attend and actively engage with startups at the Boston Kickoff, California Market Access Sprint, and Philadelphia Finale.
Help founders prepare for BIO International Convention meetings, pitch narratives, and follow-up strategy.
Represent MassChallenge and Breakthrough Bio at Boston, San Diego, and Philadelphia ecosystem convenings.
Provide input on biotech curriculum content ahead of the Boston Kickoff (week of January 11, 2027), particularly U.S. regulatory pathways, clinical strategy, and investor storytelling, and rally your network to attend and engage with startups on-site.
Deliver mentor sessions or office hours during the virtual execution period (January to March 2027).
Support the California Market Access Sprint (week of March 15, 2027), including curated meetings with pharma, biotech, and translational research stakeholders in San Diego, and rallying your own contacts to attend and engage with cohort startups.
Support BIO International Convention preparation (March 22 to June 4, 2027), including pharma and investor targeting and presentation coaching.
Participate in the Finale Showcase, Demo Day, and BIO Activation in Philadelphia (week of June 7, 2027), rallying your network to attend and engage with startups at the Finale.
Provide qualitative input on founder milestone progress to support Midpoint and Final Outcomes Reports against program targets (75% average milestone completion; 30%+ of startups advancing financing or commercial/strategic progress within 12 months of finale; stage-appropriate regulatory or reimbursement milestones).