Research Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Lead - Neurology and Ophthalmology

Job Title: Research Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Lead - Neurology and Ophthalmology

Location: Cambridge, MA

About the job:

Are you ready to shape the future of medicine? The race is on to speed up drug discovery and development to find answers for patients and their families. Your skills could be critical in helping our teams accelerate progress.

We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?

Pioneering industry-setting scientific innovation and excellence in discovering transformational medicines.  To achieve this, we must elevate our scientific rigor, embrace cutting-edge innovation without borders, and ensure sustained high productivity.  Flawless pipeline execution and thoughtful, disciplined decision-making are crucial.  The Research Strategic Collaboration and Partnership Lead - Neurology and Ophthalmology, will be responsible for innovation without borders for Neurology and Ophthalmology in alignment with our Research strategy and support pipeline expansion and capture technological innovation in the field.

We are an innovative global healthcare company with one purpose: to chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. We’re also a company where you can flourish and grow your career, with countless opportunities to explore, make connections with people, and stretch the limits of what you thought was possible. Ready to get started?

Main Responsibilities:

Research Innovation without Borders

• Neurology and Ophthalmology External evaluation:  Act as a business partner to R&D External Innovation, Translational Centers of Excellence, Sanofi Partnering (BD, Ventures) and M&A, to enable timely decision making and recommendations.  Serve as the point of entry for Research in leading the evaluation of potential academic, public, and private partnerships and strategic investments. 

• • External Innovation Strategy: Support Neurology and Ophthalmology Research leaders to shape the consolidated Research external innovation strategy in alignment with the overall Research strategy and identify potential portfolio opportunities. 

  • Search and Evaluation: Collaborate with Sanofi Partnering and TMU External Innovation in the Neurology and Ophthalmology search and evaluation efforts through proactive articulation of portfolio strategy to identify new preclinical drug candidates, clinical assets or transformative technologies. Contribute to evaluation and selection of external Sanofi awards (e.g., iAward, iDEATech Awards).

  • Due Diligence: Lead a team of relevant Research experts to assess the scientific value of Neurology and Ophthalmology opportunities, strategic fit, potential risks and mitigation plans through thorough due diligence.  Coordinate the preparation and presentation of findings and overall research timeline.  Drive and communicate an aligned Research position to relevant stakeholders. 

  • Transaction: Provide scientific Research perspective throughout the transaction process including term sheet, contract review and negotiation.  Contribute to return of investment assessment as applicable.  Ensure an aligned understanding by the Research team of the rights and obligations of each party under the agreement.

  • Integration: Support the integration of licensed or acquired Neurology and Ophthalmology assets based on best practices and the R&D integration playbook as applicable for Research.

• Innovation Roadmap Management:  Contribute to Research Innovation without Borders efforts with focus on Neurology and Ophthalmology.  Map and maintain real-time collaboration and partnership efforts information to allow timely information access for informed, real-time decision making. 

Ecosystem Insights

• Neurology and Ophthalmology Portfolio Expansion Strategy: Collaborate with Research TA, Research Platform and Strategic Planning and Initiative Leads to contribute to pipeline sustainability by continuously monitoring cutting edge external Neurology and Ophthalmology innovation, maintain up to date understanding of novel biology and enabling technologies in the field.  Provide external Neurology and Ophthalmology lens to Research and relevant stakeholders.  Guide key strategic decisions leveraging synthesized emerging trends, competitive intelligence, and analytics to identify areas for potential growth. 

About You:

Qualifications:

• PhD in a life science discipline with strong scientific foundation in neurology and / or ophthalmology plus a minimum of 10 years post PhD relevant experience in an academic or biopharmaceutical setting.

• 7+ years drug discovery and development experience in pharmaceutical/ biotechnology with deep understanding of Research drug discovery process

• Experience in strategic partnerships, external innovation across geographies (e.g. search and evaluation, diligence teams, and / or contract negotiation)

Competencies:

• Superior knowledge and understanding of the scientific trends and new concepts in neurology and / or ophthalmology.  Aptitude to quickly understand innovation, particularly involving new science and technology.

• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, strategic, business acumen, and project management skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication (verbal and written) with ability to listen and influence stakeholders at all levels including senior leaders, scientists, and business partners

• Ability to engage effectively with colleagues and senior leaders

• Ability to prioritize in complex situations, simplify and execute

• Analytical mindset with ability to challenge the status quo and identify improvement opportunities

• Exceptional attention to detail, and a high level of organization skills

Why Choose Us?

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.