Head of Alliance Management

“We are focused on results. Those that can be measured. And those measured in ways beyond numbers. We see individuals, not issues. We are inspired by passion, and compassion for the wellbeing of people. Our methods are based on logic, driven by rigor, results, issues, and outcomes. Our innovation means trying new things, learning from our mistakes, and consistently refining our approach. Our strategies help us define our path to success, but our effectiveness is based in the aggregate power of our initiatives to impact holistic change.”

 -Bill Gates and Melinda French-Gates

The Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) is a non-profit biopharmaceutical development organization primarily dedicated to the development of impactful biopharmaceutical interventions for diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, diseases that combined cause five deaths every minute.  Headquartered in Cambridge MA, the Institute is designed to advance novel drug, biologics, and vaccine candidates through late-stage development and registration.  The Institute encompasses experienced biopharmaceutical development professionals across regulatory, CMC, and clinical functions as well as comprehensive operational support functions.  The Institute’s programs are managed by its internal teams and functional areas in collaboration, working with partners across the global health ecosystem.

The Institute is based on five core “mantras” that are embedded within the organization and its people:

• Urgency: Execute with excellence to maximize impact.

• Collaboration: Establish empowered teams to drive our bottom line: lives saved.
• Innovation: Build on the known, uncover the new, achieve the unprecedented.
• Rigor: Drive the science, focus on the details, and execute with the highest quality.
• Courage: Dare to confront the world’s most significant global health challenges.

Though the Institute is a diverse group of passionate change-makers, creative fixers, and relentless advocates, these five core values are universally adopted by all who join it with the personal goal of improving the health and wellness of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

As a wholly owned subsidiary and separate legal entity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Institute partners scientifically, operationally, and financially with the foundation to leverage the foundation’s ongoing support and contributions toward the achievement of global health equity.

The Institute is currently composed of 160 employees and leverages dedicated vendor partnerships and consultant staff to assure the right skills are in place at the right time while retaining the flexibility to adapt as required by the development program portfolio.

The Gates MRI offers hybrid work arrangements, a 50% mix of on-site and work-from-home  This role will be based in Cambridge, MA and a competitive relocation package is available for those requiring support to transition to the area.  Remote employment is not available for this role at this time.

THE POSITION

Reporting to the CFO & Head Business Operations, the Head of Alliance Management will be the key point of contact with research and development collaborators including funders, manufacturers, commercialization partners, academia, and biopharma organizations.  You will leverage your diplomacy and business acumen, combined with your knowledge and expertise in relationship management across Biopharma, to execute cross enterprise coordination ensuring the goals of the strategic collaborations and alliances are achieved.

• Main responsibilities include leading and fostering the alliance management principles and processes for the MRI working closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).  Lead the Alliance management office and equip the organization with capabilities to drive performance excellence e.g. by establishing best practices, and tools/process and skill development and training across Gates MRI
• Manage an effective alliance management framework to manage strategic agreements, medical research agreements, license and collaboration agreements, and key service providers
• Build organizational capabilities (processes, systems and tools) in managing alliances across functions (program development teams, project management, IP/Legal, Strategic sourcing and Finance) to coordinate to deliver value of the collaborations.
• Participate as a member of the product and project teams to review annual collaboration goals and proactively foster coordination and alignment of all internal and external partners to the goals and objectives of the alliance
• Ensure contractual responsibilities and obligations are understood and met by both parties through continuous communication internally and with external partners
• Proactively anticipate, identify and resolve conflicts and unpredictable events as single point of escalation; when appropriate, escalate conflicts/disputes via appropriate channels, consistent with contract mechanisms
• Drive/ organize/ attend Joint Steering Committees (JSCs) or other governance meetings including agenda, minutes, and action items
• Coordinate with strategic sourcing and business development teams at BMGF for an orderly handoff from deal team
• Identify need for and coordinate with MRI and BMGF functions for adherence to agreement terms and for issues that require contract renegotiation
• Provide AM insights and inputs during pre-deal negotiations including coordinating MRI due-diligence efforts along with BMGF and MRI functions
• Report collaboration priorities, opportunities at risks to MRI leadership through governance body meetings
• Coordinate with HR to ensure hiring and performance management processes address individual skills required for effective collaboration to be embedded in key functional roles
• Openly, proactively, and clearly communicate across all lines of the partnership
• Facilitate and/or negotiate ancillary agreements and amendments
• Monitor and report overall status and annual health check of alliances and partner satisfaction; identify areas of risk or opportunity to the respective business areas

• Monitor the progress of the contract obligations and milestones and effectively monitor the health of the alliance/partnerships
• This position may require up to 25% travel

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering, Business, and/or related discipline required

• A minimum of 10+ years related experience, working in an Alliance Management capacity in  the scientific, technical, or commercial units within pharmaceutical/biotech is required
• Extensive experience leading business to business collaborations as demonstrated by development and management of external partnerships including licenses, R&D collaborations, and other strategic partnerships
• Strong expertise in managing timelines, budgets and similar details on multiple large-scale projects or in a significant line capacity is required
• Experience in managing and working in a team environment is required, with a proven ability to mobilize and align diverse groups across multiple functions and companies to build interdependent partnerships
• Strong business, commercial, drug development and financial acumen required
• Demonstrated strengths in problem solving, negotiation, and decision making will be needed, in addition to experience in working with senior levels within the organization
• Superior collaborative skills, with an ability to work across cultural, geographic, and hierarchical boundaries
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills as well as strong communication and listening skills are required
• Ability to lead/ manage ambiguous situations, complexities, think strategically and exercise good judgment is required

In recognition of high-wage market differences such as the Cambridge, MA area where this position is located, the salary range for this role is $300,00-$350,000 USD.   As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission.  New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

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Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.