Strategic Research Collaborations Director, Oncology

Guardant Health•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company founded in 2012, focused on guarding wellness and extending life free from cancer. The company transforms patient care and accelerates new cancer therapies by providing critical insights into disease drivers through advanced blood and tissue tests, real-world data, and AI analytics. Guardant tests improve outcomes across all stages of care, including early cancer screening, recurrence monitoring, and treatment selection for advanced cancer patients. The Strategic Research Collaborations Director, Oncology, will join the Strategic Collaborations team within Medical Affairs, Oncology, reporting to the Senior Director. This role involves developing and managing strategic research collaborations with academic institutions, research organizations, and networks. The focus is on studies that develop predictive and prognostic biomarkers to advance molecular profiling in cancer clinical care. This director is crucial for drafting research agendas, identifying new research opportunities, and fostering innovative partnerships to advance Guardant Health's oncology pipeline and products. The role works closely with Medical Affairs, Clinical Education, and Key Accounts as part of the NEXUS Network leadership. The ideal candidate should possess a strong background in oncology research, extensive experience in managing research collaborations, strategic planning, and familiarity with contracting and contract negotiations.

Requirements

Typically requires a university degree and generally 15 years of related experience; 12 years and a Master’s degree; 8 years and a PhD; or 5 years and a PharmD/MD.
PhD, MD, JD or equivalent advanced degree in oncology, molecular biology, or a related scientific discipline.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in oncology research, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing strategic research collaborations.
Proven track record of successfully developing and managing research collaborations with academic, industry, and research partners.
Extensive experience in project management, budget management, and strategic planning in a research environment.
Executive level and/or C-Suite relationship management experience.
Deep expertise in oncology research, with a strong understanding of the current landscape and emerging trends.
Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, with the ability to translate scientific data into strategic insights.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Senior Director and contribute to NEXUS working groups, fostering research collaborations and data sharing with academic, industry, and research partners to advance predictive and prognostic biomarkers for molecular profiling in cancer care.
Direct program strategies, address issues impacting success, and provide leadership for future concepts, products, and technologies across multiple functions.
Establish and maintain formal networks with key decision makers, such as PMAC and the Lung Research Consortium, and serve as a recognized expert and external spokesperson for Medical Affairs.
Develop, prioritize, and implement strategies for new research opportunities and partnerships, and lead collaborative research studies and outcome tracking initiatives to generate medical evidence for molecular profiling.
Negotiate, finalize, and manage collaboration agreements and research projects to ensure alignment with company goals, scientific, clinical, and business objectives.
Monitor progress, outcomes, and disseminate high-quality scientific data from collaborative projects, providing regular updates to senior management.
Enable network members to utilize the Guardant Health Inform database for optimizing clinical trial design and enrollment.
Build strong relationships with key opinion leaders, researchers, and stakeholders, and effectively communicate the Guardant Health scientific value proposition.
Represent the company at scientific conferences, advisory boards, and external meetings to promote research collaborations and facilitate cross-functional communication between internal and external partners.
Provide scientific and technical expertise, integrate the latest oncology advancements into projects, manage project timelines and budgets, and identify and mitigate risks in research collaborations.
Prepare and present detailed progress reports to senior management and collaborate with regional research collaboration managers throughout the US.