Senior Director, External Innovations

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Based in Cambridge, MA and Gaithersburg, MD. We are committed to improving the health of people worldwide with our fundamental research and our work in the area of development of immunotherapies utilizing the full potential of the immune system to fight cancer, infectious diseases and other serious diseases. We believe in scientific rigor, innovation and passion as driving forces. BioNTech was founded by scientists and physicians to translate science into survival by combining fundamental research and operational excellence.

With decades of deep immunology expertise and experience in developing and optimizing mRNA as part of its broad suite of novel technologies, the company is working with the global community to defeat life-threatening and serious diseases such as cancer, COVID-19, malaria and tuberculosis. The first ever approved mRNA vaccine was created in the labs of BioNTech in Mainz, Germany. A fully integrated immunotherapy powerhouse. We remain focused on bringing our broad pipeline of next-generation immunotherapies and vaccines to people around the world to address cancer, infectious diseases, as well as a growing list of other medical conditions. To accomplish this, we continue to be deeply rooted in science and academic research while also having built a fully integrated, global immunotherapy company with cGMP and GMP manufacturing facilities anchored around deep expertise in immunology and complemented by an expanding set of capabilities.
 

 

Senior Director, External Innovations

 

We are seeking a Senior Director to join our growing team based in one of our US Flag Ship sites. In this exciting position you will work in an entrepreneurial team to generate new ideas and evaluate external innovation opportunities within the healthcare sector. The role requires strong scientific judgment, creativity, and a know-how on how to navigate through uncharted and challenging environments to deliver highly valuable deals to BioNTech. It requires strong collaborative spirits to work with both internal and external stakeholders.

 

External Innovations seeks out potential business opportunities based on the highest scientific merits and focuses on innovations that are either untapped or in stealth mode. External Innovations actively scout in academia, government-funded research, and the industry. 
 

 Responsibilities:

• Analyze, interpret, and summarize preclinical/clinical study data, scientific literature, and other technical information.

• Seek out highly promising innovations that may be developing in stealth or untapped for potential development at BioNTech.

• Write deep-dive reports with the highest quality in a concise manner for internal stakeholders.

• Interact with companies and research institutes to explore collaboration opportunities.

• Work closely with internal stakeholders in collaborative and transparent manners (e.g., business development, corporate strategy, science, clinical development, etc.).

• Attend conferences, presentations and symposia to identify promising opportunities.

• Identify key opinion leaders and experts.

• Conduct interviews with identified key opinion leaders and experts.

• Manage a team and budget. 

• Have a strategic mindset and ability to present to the board new and emerging trends.    

Minimum requirements:

• A minimum of a master’s degree with a strong preference for applicants with MD or PhD degrees.

• At least 8 plus years of relevant sector experience in the sell-side or the buy-side as an equity research analyst or in healthcare consulting roles. Previous experience as a Scientist will be considered.

• Strong passion towards science, especially immunology.

• Impeccable integrity, work ethic and commitment.

• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills.

• Very strong data-searching and analyzing skills. Be able to synthesize large amounts of data and structure findings/thoughts/ideas into a tangible recommendation to management.

• Organized, detailed-oriented personality with the ability to multi-task in an entrepreneurial environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 

Benefits for you:
 

BioNTech US is committed to employee wellbeing and offers best-in-class benefits & HR programs to support an inclusive & diverse workforce. Salaried/Position-Targeted Hourly Employees working 30+ hours per week are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include but are not limited to: