Director, Programs - Biomedical Engineering

About The Role:

VentureWell is seeking a Programs Director to partner with our Vice President, Commercialization (VP) and a peer Director to lead the Commercialization Program Vertical, with a special focus on our Commercialization Services, including the RADx, Blueprint, and other similar programs. The Programs Director will directly manage a team of program staff, including Senior Program Officers (SPOs) and Program Officers (POs). The Programs Director will demonstrate operational excellence and a high degree of specialized knowledge related to diagnostic and/or medical device design, development, and/or commercialization. The Director is a skilled and trusted people manager and brings significant relationship management experience and networks to leverage for potential business development opportunities. 

This role is remote; however, our funders and partners are mostly East Coast-based. Applicants must be willing and able to be available for meetings on an Eastern Standard Time schedule, with some flexibility. Up to 10% travel may be required, primarily for internal meetings and business development.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership 

• Collaborate with other peer Directors and the VP to lead the vertical, including shaping a friendly, high-performing, inclusive culture that reflects the skills and values of the growing team 
• Contribute to the organization and field as a thought leader 
• Supervise overarching program strategy, including ensuring alignment between funder objectives, partner capabilities, and organizational capacity and resources

Business Development

• Represent VentureWell externally, including giving presentations, networking at industry events, and providing subject matter expertise in commercialization and medtech forums that enhance VentureWell’s own credibility and network
• Develop and cultivates relationships, strategic partnerships, and funding opportunities in line with capabilities to support the achievement of development targets and strategic goals 
• Identify and manage new opportunities for strategic partnerships or funding and stewards internal and external alignment 

Program Oversight and Delivery 

• Lead program innovation and oversee the implementation of the commercialization programs, including RADx, Neuro Blueprint MedTech, and similar “innovation funnel” style programs
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on budget development, oversight of time allocation of staff, and tracking spending
• Set up program delivery for success by building relationships and developing processes for collaboration across the organization 

Team Management 

• Lead remote-based team through direct management and matrixed relationships to develop and deliver excellence in current programs and embody a culture reflecting VentureWell’s core values
• Build and maintain a work culture that actively investigates equity, and is imbued with a sense of inclusion and belonging amongst staff (direct reports, indirect reports, matrix relationships)
• With Commercialization leadership team (peer Director and VP), effectively plan for the short and long-term success of the department, including communication with the VentureWell Executive Team

What You Bring:

• Advanced degree required (e.g. MA/MS, MBA, PhD, etc.)
• At least 8 years of work experience, including at least 3 years of managing a team
• At least 5 years of experience managing collaborative teams, ideally in a primarily virtual environment, are preferred.
• Meaningful experience developing, implementing, and/or securing funding for programs related to diagnostic and/or medical device design, development, and/or commercialization is required.
• Track record of successfully managing funder and/or partner relationships, with preferred experience in federal contracting 
• Highly adaptable and comfortable working through ambiguity
• Ability to thrive in an environment with vying and emerging priorities and tight deadlines
• Experience (work or lived) with groups identifying as marginalized by racism, sexism, or classism
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills with an ability to articulate and synthesize information in a compelling, organized manner; effective and skilled presenter; comfort and experience speaking on behalf of an organization and/or content related to domain experience online and in person
• Ability to extract key information and data to solve problems, inform decision making, and recommend innovative solutions

Across the Board, VentureWell Staff:

• Are able to succeed and thrive in a