Director of Translational Science Programs and Initiatives

Department: Provost's Office/CBC
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Job Summary:

The Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) Director for Translation Activities (ADTA) will work with the CBC organization to build programs to strengthen the Chicago biotech community and foster the translation of university research into the marketplace. The Director will report to the Executive Director (ED) and work in collaboration with other CBC staff members.

The Director will oversee the CBC's Accelerator Award (Year 1 and Year 2), the Director's Fund Award, the CBC COVID-19 Response Award, CBCAN Accelerator Networking meetings, monthly seminars and coordinate workshops and information sessions. The Director will use prior experience in program management and strong collaboration skills to work with the other members of the CBC to execute and manage these programs.

Specific Responsibilities :

Outreach:

• Build strong, mutually-beneficial relationships between CBC and the local biotech and pharma industries
• Build and maintain relationships with entities in the local biotech community (e.g. iBIO, MATTER). Regularly attend appropriate functions hosted by these entities.
• Interface closely with Technology Transfer Offices of the CBC universities
• Coordinate meetings of review and advisory boards
• Devise and implement communications and public relations plans

Implementation of the Accelerator Awards:

• Under supervision of the CBC ED and Scientific Directors, design and develop the Accelerator Awards program.
• Respond to inquiries
• Recruit high quality applications by working with university tech transfer offices
• Receive and process applications, including communications with applicants
• Integrate CBC Entrepreneurial Fellows into the Accelerator application process
• Work with finalists to create slide deck to present their applications
• Rehearse CBCAN pitch presentations with finalists
• Plan and organize CBCAN meetings to showcase Accelerator Award applications
• Manage and oversee the review process
• Organize review sessions
• Facilitate awards
• Assist award recipients with achieving their Year 1 program goals
• Work with awardees to access their Year 1 progress and determine timing for a Year 2 application
• Prepare Year 1 awardees for CBCAN presentations to pitch for Year 2 extensions
• Organize review session to determine eligibility of Year 2 extensions
• Connect awardees with commercialization experts
• Inform applicants of additional sources of funding to advance Accelerator programs
• Build relationships with CBC member faculty and members of the Chicago area life sciences community to connect faculty researchers to potential investors and pharmaceutical/biotech advisors

Implementation of the CBC Accelerator Network (CBCAN):

• Work with Steering Committee and other stakeholders to produce high-quality, useful programs
• Work with other CBC staff members to integrate CBCAN with other programs
• Work with CBCAN participants to assure high-quality presentations
• Work with CBC colleagues to invite/recruit participants in CBCAN

Management of the CBC COVID-19 Response Award:

• Assist award recipients with achieving their program goals
• Oversee monthly seminar series related to SARS/CoV-2/COVID-19 biomedical research
• Connect faculty researchers to potential investors and pharmaceutical/biotech advisors for advancement of COVID programs
• Organize virtual events for awardees to present their progress

General Administrative:

• Lead or assist with writing projects such as annual reports, website content, preparation of updates, or proposals
• Evaluate and prepare reports on the effectiveness of various CBC activities
• Take lead on organization and execution of CBC Information Sessions

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of business-relevant experience with Biotechnology and/or Pharmaceutical companies and/or academic drug development and program management
• Significant knowledge of and connections to the Chicago-area biomedical ecosystem
• Well-established network of contacts in the biotech entrepreneurial community.
• Active participation in local biomedical organizations (e.g. iBIO, MATTER, etc)
• Ability to build networks and interface with both research and business communities
• Ability to recruit and organize complex working groups (project management skills?)

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate effective communication, cooperation, respect and teamwork
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and to work with minimal direction
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Excellent collaborative skills
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD preferred

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of Public Relations
• Fund-raising experience

The target hiring range for this position will be between $107,100 and $110,100 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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