Director / Sr. Director, Alliance Management (and Scientific Licensing)
IGM Biosciences (Nasdaq: IGMS) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of engineered IgM antibodies for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. IgM antibodies have inherent properties that we believe may enable them to bind more strongly to targets on the surface of cells than comparable IgG antibodies. We believe our proprietary IgM antibody technology platform is particularly well suited for developing T cell engagers, receptor cross-linking agonists, targeted cytokines, and target neutralizers.
Our lead product candidate, Imvotamab, is a bispecific T cell engaging IgM antibody targeting CD20 and CD3 proteins, and it is currently in two Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed and/or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Our second product candidate is IGM-8444, an IgM antibody targeting Death Receptor 5 (DR5) for the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory solid and hematologic malignancies, and it is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Also in our product pipeline is IGM-7354 and IGM-2644. IGM-7354 is an anti-PD-L1 IgM antibody that targets the delivery of interleukin-15 (IL-15) cytokines to the area of PD-L1 expressing cells for the treatment of patients with solid and hematologic malignancies. IGM-2644 is a bispecific T cell engaging IgM antibody targeting CD38 and CD3 proteins for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.
The Director / Sr. Director, Alliance Management (and Scientific Licensing) is a key member of the Business Development team reporting directly to the Chief Business Officer. The Business Development function leads the creation and execution of IGM Biosciences’ key partnerships. Specific focus for Alliance Management includes onboarding of new alliances and leading post-deal and day-to-day alliance activities to shape and achieve strategic objectives of the alliance, anticipating and resolving potential issues, and overall ensuring the highest quality relationship possible. In addition to building important internal and external scientific relationships and leading assessment and diligence teams across the broad R&D organization, the ideal candidate is experienced with identifying and evaluating opportunities that align with the alliance management strategy, with a specific focus on Scientific Licensing.
Job Duties and Responsibilities may include but aren't limited to:
- Oversee the governance of partnership agreements, including the participation in governance committees and working group meetings.
- Identify key issues, set meeting agendas, schedule committee meetings, ensuring team is prepared with deliverables, pre meeting preparations, etc.
- Regularly communicate with partner alliance management counterpart and other key partner stakeholders as needed, including ad hoc events that require cross functional communication.
- Work with partner companies to set the direction and scope for implementation and oversight of the partnership, including key activities, timing and responsibilities on either side.
- Openly, proactively, and clearly communicate across all lines of the partnership, including with Senior/Executive Management.
- Work closely with key stakeholders throughout the company to successfully lead internal team alignment through the life of the alliance.
- Conduct regular review meetings with senior/executive management and other functions as appropriate to communicate key issues, achievements, etc. and gather feedback.
- Facilitate the preparation of ancillary agreements and amendments as appropriate, and also negotiate these agreements.
- Regularly collect, develop and control quality of forecasts to support financial planning activities in support of the partnership.
- Liaise with legal, finance, R&D and Commercial as applicable to ensure that key contract stage gates, financial transactions, progress reports, etc. are handled appropriately to provide information updates as needed.
- Implement Alliance Management programmatic processes and tools appropriate to the scope and needs of the alliance.
- Where applicable, participate in review of new partner contract negotiations as appropriate and provide input into partnership execution terms of the contract, in particular governance structures and processes.
- Lead and or participate in contract renegotiations as appropriate.
Qualifications and Education:
- Minimum of 12+ years' experience with BS, BA or 10+ years experience with graduate degree in the pharmaceutical, life sciences or related industry, preferably in commercial, business development, or project leader project management role.
- Minimum of 5+ years' experience in Alliance Management, Business Development or related function.
Professional Requirements:
- Knowledge and experience in oncology and immunology.
- Knowledge and experience in infectious disease is a plus.
- Experience in global markets (e.g., EU, Japan, and other).
- Strong experience in drug development and operations.
- Ability to identify, prioritize and resolve key project and partnership issues.
- Enthusiasm to work well in a team environment and to build interdependent partnerships.
- Ability to manage complexities, think strategically, and exercise good judgment is required.
- Strong problem solving, negotiation, and decision making ability required.
- Experience in working with senior levels within the organization is required.
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills as well as strong communication and listening skills is required.
- Expertise to work effectively in a fast paced, team-based matrixed environment as well as the ability to function independently as appropriate.
- Flexible to accommodate changes in team and project needs.
- Ability to handle multiple projects at a time and have a strong attention to detail while understanding the higher-level strategy.
- Experience participating on scientific due diligence teams and product development teams is preferred.
- Additional opportunity to create a hybrid role for the right candidate to include Scientific Licensing and Asset Assessment: Involved in the scientific evaluation of target opportunities (including the coordination and management of the formal due diligence process) across the broad R&D organization.
- Accountable for ensuring that all business development opportunities progressing to contract negotiation and beyond meet the internal portfolio standards of scientific excellence, that development risks are identified, adequately communicated and debated with R&D leadership and that mitigation strategies are captured and accounted for in the development plans and costs.
Comprehensive Benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance.
- The full premium amount for our employees and their dependents is covered by IGM
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
- STD, LTD, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- 120 hours of Paid Time Off, 5 sick days per year, 11 holidays
- Cell phone & internet subsidy
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Annual training budget for professional development
- Commuter Benefit
- Flexible to accommodate changes in team and project needs.
- Annual bonus program
- New hire stock options
IGM is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.