Job location: Translational Research Laboratories

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2019-09-05
Req: JR00006708
University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director, Project Management and Alliances

Job Profile Title

Director C

Job Description Summary

Job Description

The Gene Therapy Program (GTP) is entering a new era of unprecedented opportunity with the great potential to reshape the face of medicine as we know it. Our discoveries have set the stage for successful treatments and possibly even cures for devastating genetic diseases. GTP is a complex R&D organization consisting of research laboratories supported by multiple core functions which provide internal capacity to perform gene transfer studies from basic research through Phase 1 proof-of-concept human trials.

The laboratory of Dr. Jim Wilson, at GTP of the University of Pennsylvania, has been a leader in the development of innovative vector technology for close to three decades. We have emerged as the ‘go-to’ organization for public and private partners, who want to participate in the gene therapy space. Currently, we are positioned to lead another round of vector innovation and establish pre-clinical and clinical proof-of-concept in therapeutic applications of in-vivo genome editing.

Due to continued growth of our program, we are searching for a new Director of Project Management and Alliances to be a conduit between the project management and the strategy and business operations teams to facilitate the drug development programs and manage key relationships with sponsors.

As a Director of Project Management and Alliances, you will be responsible for delivery of drug development milestones for one or more key sponsors. You will develop a strong understanding of the contract milestones and other terms of the contractual agreement between GTP and the sponsor and use that knowledge to manage the program in collaboration with research directors. You will serve as the primary point of contact for external teams and have the responsibility to foster and maintain sponsor relationships. You will pro-actively identify issues, providing project management approaches for formulating solutions with the teams, and escalating issues to senior management as appropriate. You may be supported by a project coordinator / entry-level PM, and would be expected to provide guidance and mentorship to this individual.

You will partner with Research Directors to draft the pre-IND program workplan, timeline, and budget and ensure consistency with the proposed scope and objectives of the program. You will be responsible for managing the team to complete activities under the agreed workplan, using project management practices, such as leading and organizing team meetings (agendas, minutes and action items), communicating key information to stakeholders, risk management / issue resolution, and participation in sub-teams as needed. You will act as the lead for Joint Research and Development Committee meetings and Joint Steering Committee meetings that are attended by internal and external program teams and management.

Joining GTP offers scientific professionals the unique opportunity of seeing research go from bench to bedside and discoveries that could one day lead to cures.

Qualifications:

Master's Degree and 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible and applicable experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required
Ph. D. in life science strongly preferred
Must have both scientific expertise and well-developed business acumen
Experienced project manager with broad knowledge of principles in early drug discovery and pre-clinical development
Proactive, highly detail-oriented professional with demonstrated track record of strong follow-through
Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, and the ability to work independently and effectively in a highly dynamic environment
Effective oral and written communication skills
Established expertise in integrating the activities of distinct functional groups into project plan
Capable of resolving important organizational problems and/or infusing innovation in a matrix oriented environment

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$72,837.00 - $138,391.00

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.