Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Perelman School of Medicine

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Posted Job Title

Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Perelman School of Medicine

Job Profile Title

Director D, Business and Finance, Innovation

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director (ED) for Corporate Partnerships for the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) will be the School’s go-to person to help faculty build relationships with external research partners and funders (e.g., industry, government, venture capital firms) and proactively identify, cultivate, and pursue promising opportunities that align with PSOM priorities.

The ED for PSOM will strengthen the interactions between PSOM and major corporations in all four phases of technology commercialization - research, development, demonstration (inclusive of clinical trials), and deployment. By facilitating strategic partnerships with selected corporations, PSOM’s vast research capabilities can be leveraged by partners to create, enhance and further develop new technologies towards FDA approval and business opportunities.

Through a deep and comprehensive understanding of PSOM faculty's research programs and our expertise translating Penn discoveries to approved products combined with an ability to navigate partners with similar interests, the ED will accelerate the business development strategies of the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) and the Office of Clinical Research (OCR), as well as the corporate relations vision of the Dean of the Perelman School of Medicine. The ED will work with PSOM faculty, researchers, trainees, and administration as well as executives from industry to advance these mutual research interests and to foster new relationships with corporations, non-profits, investors and government agencies.

The ED will have dual reporting to PCI’s Managing Director and to PSOM’s Senior Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities

Work with PCI and PSOM leadership to d efine and implement a strategic outreach plan for PSOM that aligns with industry / external priorities

Create and maintain a prioritized list of target companies and agencies ; identify key decision maker s and understand their priorities

Develop long-term relationships with external decision makers and identify areas where PSOM’s portfolio can support companies’ /agencies’ short- and long-term strategic goals

Develop relationships with VC firms and other investors to identify and cultivate spinout opportunities and explore new funding models

Conduct scientific and commercial due diligence to evaluate partnership, licensing, and investment opportunities

Represent PSOM in external meetings, industry conferences, and strategic forums ; i dentify relevant high -p rofile external events (e.g., JP Morgan Healthcare Conference) where PSOM presence is important

Serve as the primary support system for PSOM researchers and leadership pursuing PSOM-industry partnerships , from initial contact through follow-up and relationship-building

Help faculty prepare for partner meetings, (e.g., corporate visits, conferences, responding to inbound inquiries) by, for example, providing slide templates, coaching, and honing the ‘ pitch ’ to ensure the right message

Prepare university leadership f o r their engage ment with potential partners on PSOM research, e.g., by providing executive summaries and partner-ready pitches

Once a connection has been made by PSOM faculty or university leadership, t ake ownership to ensure there is disciplined follow-up, clear next steps, and sustained momentum (e.g., follow up, shape the opportunity, and help move it forward )

Build a deep understanding of PSOM faculty and programmatic research strengths to facilitate the aforementioned outreach activities and effectively respond to the wants and needs of the government and private sector

Proactively identify opportunity areas in PSOM’s research portfolio ; work with faculty to understand how their activities could potentially bridge into external interests

Create and maintain a living internal database of PSOM expertise areas , regulatory applications and potential opportunities ( e.g., interview faculty, catalog expertise of faculty interested in working with corporate research groups , assemble associated papers and available Penn IP) to effectively connect industry partners to the appropriate PSOM stakeholders

Interact with faculty , PCI , and PSOM leadership, and industry partners to understand and reduce barriers to collaboration

Identify relevant grant opportunities, understand and communicate application and vetting process

Steward potential partnership opportunities , working with PCI and PSOM colleagues to position PSOM as a preferred industry partner

Identify longer-term strategic opportunities for industry engagement, e.g., framing of new funded research programs, licensing of Penn IP, creation of research alliances, executive education, and/or new company formation

Work closely and collaboratively with the PCI teams responsible for these activities and operate as a trusted business partner , providing insight and ongoing guidance around the wants and needs of potential partners and potential strategies to streamline negotiations and contract implementation

Work with PSOM faculty to develop materials that articulate how and where Penn can support longer-term opportunities for industry engagement that align with Penn’s interdisciplinary programs with a focus on PSOM

Work closely with faculty and corporations to facilitate project success , which may include working to address areas of concern

Establish processes and metrics to monitor partnership progress , including maintaining close alignment with corporate engagement colleagues outside of PSOM

Collaborate closely with external engagement peers at o ther schools (e.g., School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) to share best practices and align the University ’ s overall industry research partnership strategy

In collaboration with external engagement peers, and in consultation with PCI and PSOM leadership, develop key metrics of success and process to monitor collaborations and ensure continued productivity

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific, medical, or technical discipline, and 7-10 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

​ Preferred qualifications :

PhD, MD, ScD, or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant scientific, medical, engineering, or other technical discipline.

10+ years of progressively responsi