Alliance Manager - Office of Technology Development, Harvard

Position Description

Working in the Corporate Alliances group within the Office of Technology Development (OTD), the successful candidate will provide assistance with managing multi-program sponsored research alliances in the area of the medical/biological science that have been or will be created between Harvard OTD and pharmaceutical/biotech industry partners. The goal of Harvard’s Corporate Alliances team is to maximize the value of research alliances with industry by establishing collaborative research plans for the development of innovative biomedical/pharmaceutical technologies based on common research interests, and ensuring that relationships between Harvard faculty and industry partners remain aligned, collaborative and productive.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Work with the Corporate Alliances team, the Directors of Business Development (DBD), and other OTD colleagues to support collaborative relationships between Harvard faculty and our industry partners through alliance- and project-level management.

  • Become the internal expert on the industry partner’s expertise and scientific/therapeutic areas of interest for the assigned portfolio. Work with Harvard OTD and Harvard faculty to identify new research projects for the development of biomedical/pharmaceutical technologies in a curated fashion or through formats including formal research proposal requests.

  • Ensure the programs have visibility within the Harvard research community and that Projects remain a high priority of Principal Investigators and research teams. Establish approachable, trusting, responsive, and collaborative relationships with Harvard Faculty and industry partners’ executive leadership and head scientists, to maximize the service provided by the Corporate Alliances Team. Identify and follow up on key action items necessary to push forward the scientific progress to lead to the completion of key experiments and project milestones.

  • Coordinate, attend and lead productive meetings to support research collaborations. Monitor, track, and communicate research progress and milestones in progress reports and meeting minutes. Identify and manage any conflicts that arise and may impact project progress in a timely manner.

  • Ensure all contractual obligations outlined in the industry-sponsored research agreement are met at the project and alliance levels, working internally with other OTD teams and Harvard Departments, and externally with alliance management counterparts. Identify intellectual property arising from the projects, ensure timely review of publications, and assist in the coordination of filing patent applications.

  • Handle all administrative aspects of the Program (preparation of Project Plans, facilitation of material exchanges, scheduling of meetings, preparation of minutes for JSC meetings and project team meetings, facilitating contract amendments, facilitating third-party agreements, coordinating negotiation of license agreements, etc.).

NOTE: This is a 3-year term appointment, with a strong possibility of renewal. 

Basic Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role: Master’s degree in biological sciences or related discipline. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in positions involved with project management, alliance management, and/or business development in an industrial or academic setting. Advanced degrees may count toward years of experience.
 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

Must possess a results-oriented approach. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and attention to detail are required. Willingness to perform tasks at all levels from administrative to scientific and strategic. Ability to prioritize work in a complex matrix environment. Strong preference will be given to candidates with project and/or alliance management experience. Preference is given to candidates with advanced degrees, including MBA or Ph.D. in biological sciences or related discipline.
 

Additional Information

Harvard’s Office of Technology Development (OTD) promotes the public good by fostering innovation and translating new inventions made at Harvard University into useful products that are available and beneficial to society. Our integrated approach to technology development comprises sponsored research and corporate alliances, intellectual property management, and technology commercialization through venture creation and licensing. Harvard OTD also manages the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator and the Physical Sciences & Engineering Accelerator. For more information, please visit http://otd.harvard.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: This position may start hybrid (some on-campus/some remote work), with the transition to full-on campus in Cambridge if required by the department.  Work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process.

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found on the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/. 

For more information and to apply, please see posting here.

Maryse Thomas