Academic Alliance Manager- Biomedical Research

Role Summary

The Alliance Manager drives successful collaborations between internal teams and external partners (academic institutions). This role ensures joint programs meet scientific, operational, contractual, and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships and clear communication across all stakeholders. Location: Cambridge.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners and internal cross-functional stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships to ensure smooth collaboration.
• Facilitate governance meetings (Joint Steering Committees, Joint Project Teams) and ensure clear decision-making pathways.
• Track obligations, deliverables, and milestones as defined in collaboration agreements.
• Identify and resolve partnership risks, misalignments, or conflicts proactively.
• Ensure compliance with contractual terms while encouraging scientific openness and operational efficiency. Amend contract terms as required.
• Act as the ‚Äúvoice of partnership health,‚Äù assessing collaboration quality and championing best practices.
• Drives alliance onboarding; translate high-level partnership strategy into actionable operational plans; improve alliance management processes, templates, and communication tools; contribute to portfolio planning, partner evaluations, and strategic frameworks.

Qualifications

• Required: Master‚Äôs degree in life sciences or related field
• Required: 2+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D, business development, program management, or alliance management
• Required: Strong understanding of drug development stages and cross-functional workflows
• Required: Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Required: Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Required: High level of organization; comfort with ambiguity and fast-paced environments
• Required: Understanding managing external partnerships (biotech, academic, or CRO)
• Required: Ability to read and interpret key contractual terms
• Preferred: 5+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical R&D, business development, program management, or alliance management
• Preferred: PhD
• Preferred: Familiarity with digital tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, MS Power BI, etc.)