Senior Director, Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, Co.Lab

Bayer•Cambridge, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bayer Co.Lab stands as a pivotal element in our pharmaceutical innovation strategy, serving as an incubation hub for groundbreaking startups and a collaborative platform for diverse stakeholders across academia, biotech, and the investment community. Our mission is to establish Bayer as the “Partner of Choice” while embodying our commitment to “Collaborate to Cure.” Success in this endeavor is quantified through two key performance indicators (KPIs): advancing early-stage startups to a stage where they are ready for partnership or collaboration, and ensuring the program’s seamless integration within the Greater Boston ecosystem. The Senior Director of Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, reporting to the Head of Co.Lab Cambridge, plays a crucial role in driving portfolio maturation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. This position encompasses both internal and external responsibilities, including supporting day-to-day operations, contributing to the development of a world-class R&D portfolio aligned with Bayer's strategic objectives, and fostering essential relationships with local academic and biotech organizations to enhance collaboration and program satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field
Demonstrated track record in portfolio strategy, corporate development, or alliance management with a focus on early-stage startup lifecycles.
Ability to evaluate early-stage biotech assets for actionability and translate findings into clinical development opportunities.
Proficiency in CRM platforms such as DealCloud or Salesforce for managing startup data and reporting at scale.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate partnerships and lead programs such as Co.Lab AdVise.
Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, matrixed, global organization with a test-and-learn mindset

Nice To Haves

PhD, MD, or MBA
5–10 years of progressive Industry experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals
Minimum 2–3 years in customer-facing or relationship management roles (e.g., academic institutions, VCs, or internal R&D sponsors)

Responsibilities

Support the Site Head in the management of the full portfolio lifecycle—from candidate screening and selection to progress assessment and internal reporting.
Coordinate due diligence for prospective Co.Lab candidates by engaging relevant internal subject matter experts (SMEs).
Assess and prioritize portfolio companies in collaboration with the Site Head for portfolio planning purposes.
Develop and maintain portfolio materials (e.g., company one-pagers, Co.Lab AdVise progress reports) in alignment with global Co.Lab standards.
Lead value-add initiatives such as the Co.Lab AdVise mentorship program, facilitating connections to internal experts and tracking key outcomes.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in DealCloud, including consolidated meeting minutes.
Collaborate with the Site Head and Innovation & Ecosystem Activations Director to align external activation efforts with Therapeutic Area (TA) and Platform team mandates, targeting high-potential future Co.Lab companies.
Build and maintain strong "key account manager–client" relationships with Co.Lab portfolio companies, ensuring a positive scientific community standing and a high-quality resident experience.
Liaise with the global Bayer Co.Lab team and operational partner LabCentral to ensure seamless program execution.
Participate in global Co.Lab meetings and strategic planning sessions.
Champion best-practice sharing across the global Co.Lab network to drive consistency and impact.
Serve as relationship manager for portfolio companies and program sponsors, maintaining high levels of satisfaction and engagement.
Manage program reporting, maintain internal databases (e.g., DealCloud), and contribute to communications across the Co.Lab website, LinkedIn, and global leadership updates.
Lead the design and execution at local and regional ecosystem engagement strategy that strengthens community presence, elevates Bayer's reputation, grows Co.Lab revenues, and sources future portfolio companies.
Build and manage strategic sponsor relationships (service providers, biotech, healthcare, and academia) to secure $500k+ in annual program sponsorships.
Evaluate CROs, lab equipment providers, and service vendors as potential in-cash sponsors or equipment contributors.
Identify and structure mutually beneficial partnership opportunities that drive sponsor satisfaction.
Maintain current records of sponsor offerings and startup deal terms.
Support the execution of strategic events—workshops, networking sessions, and showcases—in collaboration with partners such as LabCentral to strengthen Bayer's ecosystem presence.
Represent the Bayer Co.Lab program at internal and external events, communicating key messages aligned with the Head of Co.Lab Cambridge.
Lead site tours for Bayer stakeholders, prospective partners, and visiting delegations.