Vice-President, Alliance Management and Business Development

Vice-President, Alliance Management and Business Development

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is focused on delivering therapeutic and scientific breakthroughs in areas of critical patient need spanning oncology, urology, women’s health, rare disease, psychiatry & neurology, and cell & gene therapies. The company’s diverse portfolio includes several marketed products and a robust pipeline of early- to late-stage assets. Building on Sumitomo Pharma’s 125-year legacy of innovation, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. delivers therapies and pursues clinical advances that improve the lives of people worldwide. Across multiple therapeutic areas and research programs, we recognize and meet unique patient needs and operate with scientific rigor, compassion and determination to bring needed therapies to patients sooner.

SMPA is a Sumitomo Pharma company. [For more information, visit Sumitomo-pharma.com]

Job Overview

The Vice-President, Alliance Management and Business Development provides strategic direction and leads Sumitomo Pharma America’s (SMPA) Alliance Management and Business Development department to ensure alignment with SMPA’s corporate-wide strategy and objectives. 

This individual will be responsible for all aspects of Alliance Management and Business Development, including searching for new and managing existing commercial partnerships, asset evaluation, due diligence, financial valuation and modeling, term sheet development, and contract negotiation and deal closing.

This leader reports to the Chief Strategy Officer with significant interaction and accountabilities to the C-suite executive team including the CEO. This individual works closely with the broader organization, business leaders, and Sumitomo Pharma (SMP), our parent company.
 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy for alliance management and business development that supports corporate-wide mid-to long-term business plan.
• Partner with SMPA’s Chief Strategy Officer and seek input from relevant stakeholders including Corporate Planning, R&D, Finance, and Legal.
• Align with SMP Business Development and SMP Global Corporate Strategy to drive SMPA business development activities responsibly and in alignment with overall corporate-wide strategy.
• Lead the execution of key alliance and business development related activities.
• Conduct competitive strategic landscape analysis to identify strategic gaps in the current pipeline and determine approaches to close them.
• Search and evaluate promising/emerging or existing technologies and assets that advance SMPA's interests.
• Create business development plans with input from SMPA R&D strategy and/or Corporate Planning. This includes analysis of strategic fit of potential business development assets, and other commercial assessments.
• Drive cross-functional planning and execution of alliance programs within North America and Europe.
• Develop proposal for non-binding offers, go/no-go decision, and contract conclusion to be reviewed by SMPA C-suite and approved by the appropriate committee. In preparing the proposal, seek input from relevant stakeholders including SMPA Corporate Planning, R&D Strategy, business departments, Finance, and Legal.
• In partnership with other departments, manage alliance with external partners to maximize the return on investment for SMPA/SMP.
• Develop and manage close partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance consideration of potential opportunities, including asset divestiture and product out-licensing.
• Inspire, develop, mentor, and lead alliance management and business development team to ensure attainment of established goals and objectives.
• Establish alliance framework to ensure best in class alliance management practices and outcomes.
• Influence key decisions related to brands by representing strategic partner views.
• Manage various key stakeholders including external partners and SMP stakeholders.
• Manage compliance and risks related to SMPA strategic activities, especially for alliance management and business development activities.
• Set clear standards and expectations to ensure accurate and timely status reporting of SMPA business development related activities. This includes providing relevant input and recommendations to SMPA’s C-suite and CEO, informing appropriate SMP leadership and SMPA C-suite of executive and strategic decisions, and escalating unresolved issues to appropriate SMP and SMPA leaders.
• Specify, develop and sustain optimal internal processes, capacities and capabilities.
• Provide recommendations to the SMPA Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer to support budget creation and manage costs.
• Regularly liaison with colleagues at Sumitomo Pharma Corporate, our parent company.
• Other projects as assigned. 

Key Core Competencies

• Outstanding negotiation skills with the status and presence to represent Sumitomo Pharma America and develop strong relationships with strategic partners.
• Ability to identify potential opportunities through strong knowledge of multiple therapeutic areas, market, and competitive environment.
• Superior quantitative, analytic, and financial modeling skills.
• Excellent project management and influencing skills required to manage internal stakeholders as well as external alliances.
• High ethical standards, excellent judgement, personal/professional integrity and proven discretion handling confidential information.
• Strong leadership experience and decision-making ability.
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to create and adhere to timelines and schedules.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills are a must.
• Strategic, creative thinker with strong business acumen.

Education and Experience

• 20+ of relevant experience required.
• An advanced scientific degree, plus an MBA strongly preferred.
• Experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry required.
• People management experience required.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills including stakeholder management required.  This includes a proven track record of effectively working with C-suite and parent company counterparts.
• Deep knowledge and experience in alliance management for US and EU territories, especially marketing expertise.
• Prior experience working with a Japanese company preferred.

The base salary range for this role is $305,000 to $355,000. Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.