Director, Alliance Management

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and experienced individual for the position of Director, Alliance Management. The Director, Alliance Management is responsible for actively managing and optimizing the value of the relationship between Sumitomo Pharma and assigned corporate partners. This position interacts regularly with SMPA and SMP leadership across a range of functions to drive agreed initiatives forward, as well as with key contacts at assigned corporate partners. This position provides organizational leadership to develop and maintain productive partnerships, establishes and implements governance, oversees organizational education and management of contractual obligations and deliverables. The position reports to the Executive Director, Alliance Management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with SMPA leadership in all functional areas, as well as assigned corporate partners to set the direction and scope for the partnership annually: identify key activities, timing and responsibilities of both parties
• Oversee the governance of the partnership agreement including participating in governance committees, working group meetings and facilitating decision making
• Serve as a central point of contact to streamline communication and meetings between functional areas within SMPA and across assigned corporate partners
• Develop and cultivate strong relationships directly and through Sumitomo leadership with key contacts at assigned corporate partners to create cross-company alignment and resolve disputes
• Work diligently to mitigate the risk of relationship crises occurring. As necessary, escalate issues that require leadership awareness and attention in a timely manner
• Monitor adherence to agreement obligations and deliverables and take appropriate action to ensure execution
• Liaise with legal, finance and functions to ensure that key contract milestones, financial transactions, and progress reports are handled appropriately and provide information/updates/reports as needed
• Conduct regular reviews/meetings with senior management and functions to communicate key issues, milestones and gather feedback
• Participate in partner contract negotiations as appropriate and provide input into partnership execution terms of the contract, in particular, governance structures and processes
• Build expertise about assigned partner companies, including company organization/leadership, strategies, financials, priorities etc; become “internal expert” on assigned corporate partners
• Proactively suggest process, strategy and prioritization changes or areas of opportunity to SMPA leadership to optimize the value of each assigned relationship.
• Leverage project management skills to partner with appropriate functional stakeholders focused on partner-related workstreams.

Key Core Competencies

• Ability to synthesize information from a range of key stakeholders to generate workable solutions to important development and business challenges faced in corporate relationships
• Track record of building productive relationships enabling effective collaboration and to influence internal and external stakeholders across cross-functional teams to deliver important project and corporate objectives.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Comfortable with proactively communicating both orally and in writing with a broad range of audiences and stakeholders, including executive leaders.
• Ability to proactively identify areas of opportunity to improve processes and relationships to ensure partnerships are operating in an optimal fashion.
• Strong project management and execution skills to drive forward multiple projects in parallel from implementation, through execution and, ultimately, closure
• Superior attention to detail that ensures obligations for both parties are adhered to and met within timelines and parameters set forth in all binding agreements
• Strong problem solving, leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution and influencing skills, particularly outside direct line authority
• Skilled in understanding and planning in ambiguous situations
• Effective time management and organization skills
• Able to multi-task and shift priorities quickly while working under tight timelines
• PC literacy required; excellent MS Office skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with planning tools such as Smartsheet
• High degree of organizational awareness, ability to connect the dots to understand all the interdependency and big picture

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or relevant field
• Minimum 10 – 15 years (w/o Masters) or 8 – 12 years (with Master’s) of relevant experience in biotech or pharmaceutical industry
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in alliance management leveraging the required skill sets to successfully collaborate with corporate partners in the Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical industry

The base salary range for this role is $183,600 to $229,500. 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.

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.