Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Perelman School of Medicine

Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Perelman School of Medicine

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
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 define 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 makers 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; identify relevant high-profile 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 for their engagement 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, take 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 other 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 responsible experience in business development, corporate strategy, alliance management, venture creation, or investment analysis within the biotech, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related industries.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex research / commercialization alliances, licensing technologies, or supporting new venture creation and incubation
• Proven track record in deal structuring, execution, and negotiation of strategic partnerships, preferably with multinational corporations
• Research experience in academia and biopharma, or a related industry
• Academic research administration experience / worked directly with academic researchers
• Experience engaging with multiple areas within biomedical research, e.g., therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, instrumentation, digital health
• Product development experience, e.g., FDA regulatory pathways, drug development
• Extended professional network across biopharma and related sectors including key decision makers, e.g., pharma executives, VC investors
• Experience in investor ecosystems, including deal evaluation, investment analysis, and private equity

Core Competencies & Leadership Qualities

• Strong alignment with Penn's mission and culture, with a passion for driving positive real-world impacts for human health

• Strategic, entrepreneurial attitude and ability to proactively seek out new opportunities

• Project ownership mindset with the ability to manage inbound requests, drive projects end‑to‑end in close collaboration with PCI and PSOM partners, and orchestrate cross‑functional teams to deliver partnerships

• Scientific credibility and ability to engage with faculty and industry R&D leaders

• Deep understanding of research and development lifecycles (e.g., drug discovery, diagnostics, health technologies, etc.)

• Partnership mindset, comfortable with sourcing and developing opportunities that can be handed off to colleagues

• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across academic and industry environments; able to effectively interface across campus, including with faculty, administration, tech transfer teams, and senior leadership

• Strong executive communication skills (i.e., able to translate complex scientific research into clear, compelling opportunities)

Application Requirement

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost's Center

Pay Range
$135,327.00 - $200,000.00 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, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be 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


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.


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