Assistant Vice President, ​Strategy & Operations, Life Sciences and Healthcare

NYCEDC LIFE SCIENCES AND HEALTHCARE BACKGROUND:  

With its deep and diverse talent pool, network of premier academic institutions and medical centers, dry and wet lab space, and access to public and private funding, New York City is a major center of life sciences innovation. Now is the time to build on these strengths and invest in the science, companies, and talent that will ultimately impact patient lives, while catalyzing new economic opportunities for the people of this city. Life sciences and healthcare will continue to play an integral role in creating healthier NYC communities and a stronger economy for all.  

 A $1 billion investment in life and health sciences innovation, LifeSci NYC is expected to continue to positively impact equitable job creation. NYCEDC is committed to growing the ecosystem in New York City, with a specific focus on:  

• Connecting existing researchers and institutions to the resources needed to advance innovation and programs to commercialization  
• Creating collaborative environments for life and health sciences companies to grow within the city  
• Building an equitable pipeline for the talent and workforce needed to support these companies across the five boroughs  

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) – Strategy & Operations, Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) will assist the LSHC team on projects across the portfolio to ensure proper internal governance, operations, and communications across the LSHC team as well as NYCEDC.  In addition to serving as a member on select projects impacting the NYC life sciences ecosystem, this key team member will research, contribute towards, and help structure the LSHC strategy and ensure it is brought to life through competent execution.  This will include creating measurement mechanisms for quantitative and qualitative impact including economic development, ecosystem, community, and patient as appropriate.  This individual will also work closely with external affairs on the communication strategy and content on key projects and initiatives in support of the vision for NYC to be a leader in life sciences and healthcare. In addition, the AVP will play a key role in managing the LifeSci NYC Advisory Council, a key group of industry and academic advisors, and coordination with City Hall and other agencies on growth and related administrative activity as needed. Tasks may also include representing the SVP at meetings when required and appropriate. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Create & execute NYCEDC’s strategic vision for the Life Sciences and Healthcare Industries. 
• Manage activities to develop a clear understanding and pulse of the Life Sciences and Healthcare landscape in NYC (benchmarking companies, identifying growth levers, evaluating strengths/weaknesses, benchmarking progress and relative to other jurisdictions) and incorporate/validate with current strategy and plan. 
• Oversee programs, ensuring accurate tracking project milestones, driving program excellence through our operators, and reporting on metrics, impact, and financial performance. 
• Lead project planning and coordinate cross-functional project teams, to ensure objectives are achieved, and timelines are met.   
• Support project estimating, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring accurate planning and accountability.  Track the LSHC portfolio budget within the context of the broader EDC sources of funding or financial support, keeps abreast and informs SVP of noteworthy external variables impacting portfolio, funding, budget considerations, etc. 
• Support procurement drafting, outreach, due diligence, respondent selection, contracting and underwriting documentation, and supervision of implementation. 
• Conduct research, data gathering and analysis, financial modeling, and expert interviews, to report on industry trends and needs, regulatory challenges, policies, industry dynamics, and news 
• Draft presentations and memoranda for key stakeholders including senior EDC staff, City Hall staff, partner agencies, and external partners. 
• Manage critical issues or questions, often identified by SVP and/or senior leadership, that require team’s urgent attention from PO, EA, or City Hall. Filters requests, understands urgency, provide recommendations and coordinates response with SVP oversight, as needed.  
• Assist with engagement of industry and academic partners, workforce development organizations, and regulatory and public agencies to advance our green economy priorities and attract their expansion in New York.    
• Act as Life Sciences liaison to External Affairs (i.e., Marketing, Public Affairs, Government and Community Relations, Social Media), including market development/communication strategy/plan for Life Sciences in NYC for near and long term.  
• Formulate yearly strategy for industry engagement activities such as sponsorship and presentation at conferences (e.g., JPM, BIO), panels, roundtables, company engagement, including ROI measurement (quantitative and qualitative).  
• Support development of additional external presentations, briefing materials, and talking points for SVP and other EDC leaders where appropriate, in coordination with EA.  
• Execute events such as roundtables and advisory board meetings, preparing EDC speakers with background research and talking points.  Coordinate and actively manage, in coordination with SVP/VP, the Life Sciences Advisory Council meetings and relationships, subcommittees, or other activities as part of the growth strategy for LifeSci NYC. 
• Actively contribute to team building, staff and departmental development.  Work with SVP to foster a thriving LSHC team culture.  Provide leadership and guidance regarding for collaborative, highly effective outcomes of inter- and intra- LifeSci team.  Evaluate and suggest new processes and communication modes to consistently have a deference towards efficiency and impact. 
• Coordinates and actively manages, in coordination with SVP/VP, the Life Sciences Advisory Council meetings and relationships, subcommittees, or other activities as part of the growth strategy for LifeSci NYC. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• 5+ years of relevant work experience (e.g., biotechnology companies, operations and project management, consulting firm, investment banking, strategic planning, program design and execution, partnership management  
• MBA, MPH, MPA or master’s degree or higher in a Life Sciences and/or Healthcare or similar amount of experience in the sector preferred.  
• Proven experience interfacing with senior leaders in the public and private sectors.  
• Demonstrated track record of leading, managing, and executing projects at top-tier organizations.  
• Effective written and verbal communication, including presentations skills.  
• Demonstrated track record of developing and maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including successful cross-functional collaboration on highly complex projects with multiple perspectives.  
• Ability to look strategically at the big picture and search for insightful, creative solutions.  
• Demonstrated accountability and track record for delivering results.  
• New York City residence is required within 180 days of hire.