University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and 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, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Sr. Director, Contracts & Alliance Management (Penn Institute for RNA Innovation)

Job Profile Title

Director D, Business and Finance

Job Description Summary

The Sr. Director of Contracts & Alliance Management is a key member of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation’s team. This individual will assist with the development of the Institute’s business development strategy as well as the evaluation of and coordination of all business development opportunities that fit within the overall strategy, business plan and pipeline portfolio. Partnering with the Director, Co-Director, Managing Director, and Core Directors, this role assists with developing long-range strategic business development plans for the organization, translating that overall business development strategy into tactical plans, and identifying and facilitating transactions that bring those tactical plans to life.

Job Description

This individual works closely with Institute leaders, and Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) to help identify, evaluate, negotiate, execute, and integrate/manage new business opportunities consistent with the Institute’s areas of interests. This individual also collaborates with PCI and the Office of Research Services related to agreement negotiations that support the research mission of the Institute and is responsible for establishing and maintaining communication tools of business development activities for management. This individual acts as a key advisor to the Institute’s leadership team and is actively involved in all aspects of business planning in order to support and facilitate new relationships that support the education, research and technology development goals and objectives of the Institute. In addition, this individual coordinates closely with PCI, ORS, Institute scientists and Institute leadership to help manage and strategically organize the Institute's obligations to its existing and future partners. Coordination, teamwork, and alignment between this individual and key university offices that have primary responsibility for managing certain business and contracting operations for Penn is critical. The successful candidate will need to effectively communicate and work closely with internal colleagues and external contacts in every business segment.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to actively support growth and success of the Institute.

• Assist with identifying and evaluating potential research and translational development opportunities that align with the Institute’s goals and objectives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams within Penn to develop and implement partnership program strategies and plans.

• Build and maintain positive relationships with partners through regular communication and engagement.

• Assist with negotiating partnership agreements and contracts that are mutually beneficial for both parties.

• Monitor and track performance metrics of partnership programs to ensure alignment with the Institute’s goals and objectives.

• Conduct market research and analysis to help identify new potential partners and opportunities.

• Stay updated on scientific developments, industry trends, competitor activities, market changes to inform partnership strategies.

• Represent the Institute at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to help identify new partnership opportunities.

• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between internal teams and external partners.

• Provide regular reports and updates on active partnerships, including challenges, issues and performance to senior leadership.

• Adhere to University policies and procedures while maintaining a high level of professionalism.

• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that promotes teamwork and mutual support.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Masters and 5 to 7 years experience, Bachelors and 7 to 10 years experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• An advanced science degree, (e.g. PhD) is required, preferably in a life sciences discipline preferred.

• Preferred 10+ years of experience of increasing responsibility in basic or translational research and/or business development for early-stage technologies in a highly scientific setting.

• She/he will have a proven track record of accomplishment in supporting complicated scientific discovery and development programs, identifying new strategic partnership opportunities, and structuring and supporting the management of strategic deals.

• The successful candidate will have a strong scientific orientation and be able to establish and maintain credibility with internal and external scientific and business experts. She/he demonstrates outstanding leadership skills managing directly, in a cross-functional matrix setting and interdepartmentally.

• The successful candidate demonstrates a steadfast commitment to science. The ideal candidate is a problem solver, able to anticipate potential challenges in order to provide viable options and alternative paths to ensure a successful outcome.

• The successful candidate is a leader who embraces open communication and debate in service of making informed and insightful decisions. Highly approachable and flexible, the successful candidate knows how to break down barriers and promote sharing of information. She/he is able to create a culture of one team, one purpose.

• He/she is an innovative thinker, who partners collaboratively with peers, advisors, and employees from across the organization to identify and achieve discovery goals.

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$90,860.00 - $168,837.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial 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 Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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  To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

  The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.