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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

Director, Strategic Business Development (Colton Center)

Job Profile Title

Director D, Research, Clinical

Job Description Summary

The Colton Center for Autoimmunity is a cutting-edge, international research consortium dedicated to advancing our understanding of autoimmune diseases and providing innovative and effective care for patients. The Colton Center for Autoimmunity at UPenn is the central hub of this consortium that also involves centers at Yale, NYU, and Tel Aviv University. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Strategy to join our leadership team. This individual will report directly to the Director of the Penn Colton Center for Autoimmunity and will play a pivotal role in driving the center's growth and success. The ideal candidate will have a blend of scientific expertise and business acumen, allowing them to effectively foster collaborations, identify strategic opportunities, and engage with key stakeholders across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industries, and funding agencies. This position will stay abreast of emerging technologies, trends, and breakthroughs in autoimmune research, leveraging innovative approaches to drive scientific discovery and therapeutic development.

Position contingent upon funding.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Center Director in the development and execution of strategic initiatives to enhance the scientific, translational and business development goals of the Penn Colton Center.

• Significantly contribute to consolidating the Colton Consortium, executing the strategic vision and act as a guiding leader within the Consortium.

• Cultivate strong internal and external relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, scientific advisors, researchers, healthcare professionals, Consortium partners as well as with biotech, pharma, and venture capital. Identify potential partnerships, negotiate, and manage partnerships, collaborations, and agreements with external entities to advance goals of the Penn Colton Center.

• Identify, propose and develop strategic partnerships, pursuing new funding opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations to support research activities and advance the mission of the center. Fulfills requests for proposals (RFP) from potential partners. Interface with legal and intellectual property experts to assess, protect, and leverage intellectual property assets generated by the center's research activities.

• Monitor scientific trends, developments, and advancements relevant to the center’s focus on autoimmunity. Identify promising technologies, assess market potential, and develop commercialization pathways and opportunities based on intellectual property emerging from Center-funded work. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of scientific and business development efforts, making data-driven decisions to optimize outcomes.

• Represent the Penn Colton Center at conferences, meetings, and other events, effectively communicating the center's mission, achievements, and capabilities to external audiences

• Contribute to the development and documentation of yearly strategic research goals and preparing an annual report to key stakeholders.

• Build cross-functional teams to guide and develop sustainable, long-term growth. Interface with other Immunology efforts on campus including the broader Institute for Immunology and Immune Health community and leadership.

Qualifications

• Master of Science, and 5 to 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. PhD strongly preferred.

• Proven experience in venture capital, technology commercialization, or business development, preferably within an academic or research institution

• A strong understanding of academic science and research execution in an academic medical center.

• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.

• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Knowledge of immunology, autoimmune diseases, medical research, and healthcare operations is a plus.

• Strong strategic planning and execution skills, with a focus on commercialization and business development

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess market opportunities and evaluate commercialization potential

  Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$90,860.00 - $125,000.00 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, 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.