Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships

Department Overview

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, known as one of the pioneers in personalized cancer medicine, is an international leader in research and cancer treatment. Driven by its mission to end cancer as we know it, the institute is building upon its expertise in targeted treatments to advance the early detection and treatment of cancer.

The Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for identifying, securing, negotiating, and managing strategic relationships with external partners (corporate, academic, nonprofit, and other) that enable the Knight Cancer Institute to advance its science. This role will be responsible for accelerating projects towards commercialization. These responsibilities encompass all units and faculty within the Knight Cancer Institute. The Senior Director is expected to understand Knight Cancer Institute research projects to sufficient depth to independently and frequently serve as a proxy for faculty in engaging partners.

This role is also responsible for effectively liaising with the OHSU Collaboration & Entrepreneurship team, and the School of Medicine Partnerships office to combine forces for stronger partnerships and coordinate strategic expansion of Knight partnerships to other areas of OHSU or vice‑versa.

A key quality needed for success in this position is a level of expertise and leadership that allows the incumbent to gain the confidence of other scientists and an ability to develop strategic relationships and partnerships with key constituents.

• Partner engagement:
  Identify, connect with, and cultivate strategic partners, with defined expected outcome of interaction—ensure alignment and advance relationships;
• Partnership development & management: C , negotiate, close transactions, and manage strategic relationships with incoming value to the Knight;
• Define and coordinate development of strategic partnership initiatives and associated business models;
• Develop and oversee high‑value preferred partnerships that elevate the Knight’s international stature;
• Develop collaborative relationships that have sizeable pre‑defined revenue and/or royalty provisions;
• Expand existing partnerships to other faculty and outside partners;
• Extensive collaboration with internal teams to guide partnership planning and execution;
• Development of technically complex scopes of work with partners that lead to long‑term, multi‑year engagement;
• Competitive analysis of platforms, drugs, and technologies that align with Knight programs. Advise, mentor, and drive innovation by working with project teams to identify patentable innovations, go‑to‑market strategies, and research plans that will lead to commercialize‑able products.
• Institutional coordination and alignment with VPR BD office, SoM partnerships, CTO, Tech Transfer, OHSU Foundation, and other relevant OHSU functions;
• Facilitate startup/spinout activity and other related efforts where appropriate;
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of individuals to execute these responsibilities;
• Secure funding from partners for project management and alliance support;
• Expose faculty to mentorship and training opportunities within partner institutions;
• Mentor faculty and provide strategic planning and leadership to ensure success of new Knight initiatives;
• Provide frequent updates to Knight and OHSU leadership.

Education & Experience:

Undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry or equivalent AND at least 8 years of relevant experience.

• Significant track record initiating, managing, negotiating and closing a wide variety of transactions in the life sciences/healthcare sector (investments, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures).
• Proven track record of generating revenue via sponsored research, or other relationships that lead to in‑kind, discounts, beta instruments, or that support grantmaking/philanthropy
• Ability to create novel deal structures that fully engage partners and maximize strategic nature of relationship
• Demonstrated understanding of and participation in various commercialization mechanisms and due diligence considerations…