Head of Academic Alliances

AstraZeneca • Boston, MA

36d • Hybrid

About The Position

Do you have a strategic mindset, collaborative skillset, and people leadership that enables you to deliver positive outcomes on high-impact collaborations and complex strategic topics? Are you looking to demonstrate those skills to help lead the team that shapes our future Biopharmaceuticals alliances strategy?
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. This is the place to make an impact. Here we ensure everyone can reach their full potential, perform at their best and make a valued contribution to the enterprise.
Within Biopharmaceuticals R&D, we are empowered to be bold, take calculated risks and use our intelligence and courage to always follow the science.
Biopharmaceuticals Strategy, Business Development & Alliances, Competitive Intelligence Team
Our team is being built to sit at the center of Biopharmaceuticals R&D – driving our R&D strategy and addressing the unmet needs and future focus of AstraZeneca’s Biopharmaceuticals pipeline. We operate both internally and externally, leading collaboration and acquisition opportunities as well as partnering closely with external alliances.
Responsibilities:
In this role, you will report to SVP, Biopharmaceuticals R&D Strategy, Business Development & Alliances, Competitive Intelligence and be accountable for the development of an overarching academic alliance strategy for R&D Biopharmaceuticals, whilst working with our therapy areas to assess the impact of our scientist-led collaborations whilst ensuring their compliant delivery.
What you will do: Deliver strategic planning for our collaborations, including:
Deliver an overarching strategy for our academic collaborations.
Form a strong network of academic medical centers to address challenges in our Biopharma portfolio.
Build strategic partnerships, responsive to the needs of our therapy areas.
Work with our therapy areas to ensure compliance and assess impact of our current collaborations.
How you will operate:
Lead the transactions team, who carry out negotiation and legal contracts for Biopharma collaborations
Lead alliance managers within your function, to establish strategic partnerships
Form strong networks with Academia and Academic Medical Centers to identify possible strategic alliances and opportunities.
Collaborate closely with our therapy area alliance teams, who manage TA scientist-led collaborations.

Requirements

• BA/BS and 10 years of combined experience in life sciences with a focus on research, collaborations, and management.
• OR PhD or MD and 5 years of combined experience in life sciences with a focus on research, collaborations, and management.
• Experience forming major collaborations between Pharmaceutical companies and academia/academic medical centers
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior executive teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and influence experienced professionals.
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, highly-matrixed work environment

Nice To Haves

• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Effective interpersonal and relationship management skills with consultative approach and ability to interact and build trust
• Operational effectiveness, highly organized process with follow through
• Strong initiative to understand our core business goals and establish processes or programs to set direction, generate alignment and push forward
• Resourceful, motivated, influential and proactive; able to prioritize in a fast-growing organization
• Scientific background
• Understanding of the pharmaceutical business (including R&D)
• Experience in translating business needs into a coordinated plan from cross-functional senior leadership team

Responsibilities

• Deliver an overarching strategy for our academic collaborations.
• Form a strong network of academic medical centers to address challenges in our Biopharma portfolio.
• Build strategic partnerships, responsive to the needs of our therapy areas.
• Work with our therapy areas to ensure compliance and assess impact of our current collaborations.
• Lead the transactions team, who carry out negotiation and legal contracts for Biopharma collaborations
• Lead alliance managers within your function, to establish strategic partnerships
• Form strong networks with Academia and Academic Medical Centers to identify possible strategic alliances and opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with our therapy area alliance teams, who manage TA scientist-led collaborations.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program
• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees