Strategic Business Development Representative
Job Title: Strategic Business Development Representative
Company: USC
Location: Flexible - The position location is a combination of on and off-site, as needed. A substantial amount of time engaging with research faculty in person is expected. Travel will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Position Description:
The MESH Academy at the Keck School of Medicine of USC is seeking 2 Business Development and Industry Relations Manager, Life Sciences, who are collaboration-focused and strategically minded professional to join a dynamic and purpose-driven Business Development and Industry Relations (BDIR) team. These individuals will report directly to an Associate Director of BDIR. S/he/they will be responsible for building close relationships with faculty, generating new business, and implementing high-level corporate partnerships for the Keck School of Medicine of USC for long-term growth. S/he/they will liaise with key internal stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to corporate outreach, synthesizing various internal needs and translating these needs to facilitate corporate engagement.
Responsibilities:
• Conducts outreach to faculty at the Keck School of Medicine of USC to understand their research and gauge their interest in collaborating with industry
• Develops close relationships with researchers and inventors at all ranks and consult on various levels of industry engagement that may suit their needs.
• Researches information on companies and provides summaries of company research areas of interest and market needs.
• Identifies opportunities for sponsored research projects, joint proposal submissions, and cutting-edge equipment procurement.
• Prepares personalized briefings for opportunities, presenting information to individuals, groups of varying sizes and levels of executive leadership at USC, and prospective partners
• Develops programming for business development events and organizes visits/seminars/symposia for academic-industry engagement.
• Translates priority research areas into value propositions and inspiring marketing collateral that are differentiators for potential industry prospects.
• Provides a bridge across USC and collaborates with internal innovation offices, such as the Office of Research, Contracts and Grants, USC Stevens Center for Innovation for licensing and commercializing opportunities), or Development.
• Builds external relationships that could support faculty research by identifying and cultivating industry prospects and, eventually, developing and managing a portfolio of corporate relationships
• Provides alliance management support as needed to create long-term value
• Execute campus visits for corporate representatives that showcase cutting-edge academic and research programs, world-class faculty, and talented students.
• Provides entrepreneurial support (startup consultation, pitch-deck support, connection to startup resources) for USC faculty.
Required Experience:
The ideal candidates will have in-depth experience in academic-industry relations and evaluating technologies with translational potential. S/he/they will have a track record of building mutually beneficial corporate partnerships from the higher education side and the corporate side and can provide evidence of thinking creatively and translating complex materials to diverse audiences. These positions promotes best practices in business development and industry relations across campus, develops new strategies to ensure productive and lasting university-industry relations, and contributes to biotech economic development activities in the Los Angeles region.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Masters of Life Sciences, Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or academic healthcare sectors with a demonstrated track record in building corporate partnerships.
• Must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of both the academic research process and the industry research and product development process.
• In-depth experience in facilitating research collaboration and strategic alliances, including (but not limited to) sponsored research, technology transfer, and economic development.
• A strong customer service-oriented individual who will be responsive to the needs of faculty and industry affiliates.
• Outstanding judgment and capability to manage highly complex issues and relationships and demonstrates the ability to work effectively and collegially with internal constituents (faculty, staff, and University administration).
• Ability to influence and manage challenging situations using scientific, legal and/or industry knowledge and outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Strong multi-tasking and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Expertise in current market conditions and trends for life science industry sectors (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical devices) and working knowledge of best practices in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry deal terms.
Two positions available. Fill in the online application: