The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago (https://www.czbiohub.org/chi) is an independent nonprofit research institute that brings together three powerhouse universities – Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine. CZ Biohub itself supports some of the brightest, boldest engineers, data scientists, and biomedical researchers to make breakthroughs in medicine and develop new technologies, frequently in collaboration with our partner universities. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence; disruptive innovation; hands-on engineering/hacking/building; partnership and collaboration; open communication and respect; inclusiveness; and opportunity for all.

Our Vision

• We pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
• We enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
• The technologies developed at CZ Biohub Chicago facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond

Diversity of thought, ideas, and perspectives are at the heart of CZ Biohub Network and enable disruptive innovation and scholarly excellence. We are committed to cultivating an organization where all colleagues feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution.

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Partnerships and Strategy will play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of CZ Biohub Chicago by overseeing a diverse range of responsibilities aimed at driving collaboration and fostering innovation within our organization. Key areas of focus include managing our academic partnerships, including the extramural funding program, leading government and industry relations, and fostering collaboration and developing strategies to secure philanthropic support for scientific research projects. Additionally, the role entails overseeing intellectual property management for CZ Biohub Chicago, and personnel management to optimize organizational performance and drive a culture of excellence.

This multifaceted role requires a visionary leader with a strong understanding of academic, governmental, and industry landscapes, and a passion for driving organizational growth and scientific innovation.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with leadership and strategic vision for the organization
• Maintain relationships with partnering academic institutions to foster collaboration and enhance our extramural funding programs
• Lead efforts to engage with government entities, industry stakeholders, and philanthropic organizations to advance our scientific initiatives and secure funding opportunities to advance scientific mission
• Oversee and manage the process of patenting and licensing intellectual property generated by the organization’s research activities, collaborating with our legal counsel to ensure compliance with legal requirements and optimize the value of our intellectual assets
• Manage programs related to technology transfer, patenting, and licensing agreements, and facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible products and services
• Work closely with CZ leadership and research teams to foster a culture that prioritizes the effective translation of intellectual property into technological or clinical applications. Identify key considerations for these applications and guide the R&D process to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop and execute programs for scientific and business development, including industry affiliate and academic affiliates programs
• Identify and pursue opportunities for innovation and business growth in alignment with strategic objectives

You have

Essential –

General

• Ph.D. degree in a relevant field required
• 10 years experience in managing relationships with academic institutions, government entities, and industry partners
• Strong understanding of intellectual property management, technology transfer, and business development processes
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to open science and highly aligned with the mission and values of CZ Biohub values

Strategic vision

• Facilitate communication between scientists, staff, management, and other partners to create an innovative technology vision for the organization by understanding strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
• Sees the “bigger picture” and understands how genomics can best be leveraged through a more coordinated platform

Results oriented

• “Hands on” leader, comfortable working in a fast-paced start-up environment.
• Balances urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence and taking initiative to resolve problems; holds internal stakeholders accountable where appropriate
• Capable of executing short-term (tactical) and long-term (strategic) plans

Leadership

• Defines and translates a vision into actionable plans
• Develops loyalty and commitment in others by articulating an appealing vision for the future, communicating high expectations, developing and mentoring direct reports and setting an example in her or his own behavior
• Able to gain credibility quickly with internal and external stakeholders

Nice to have –

• Experience in the life sciences or biotechnology sector
• Experience as a member of organizations focused on life sciences research

Compensation

The Chicago, IL base pay range for this role is $220,000.00 – $275,000.00. New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.

What We Provide

• Resources to disrupt and innovate at the frontiers of our knowledge of biology and disease
• A collegial and collaborative environment consisting of diverse expertise
• Access to collaborators, resources and facilities at our three partner universities (Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) and at partner organizations in Chicagoland and beyond
• Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with the experience

If you’re interested in a role but your previous experience doesn’t perfectly align with each qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply as you may be the perfect fit for this or another role.

Benefits

We offer a robust benefits program that enables the important work Biohubbers do everyday. Our benefits include healthcare coverage, life and disability insurance, commuter subsidies, family planning services with fertility care, childcare stipend, 401(k) match, flexible time off and a generous parental leave policy. In addition, we honor our commitment to career development and our value of scholarly excellence through regular onsite opportunities to learn from the world’s leading scientists.

The CZ Biohub Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity of thought, ideas and perspectives. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive organization where all Biohubbers feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. The CZ Biohub Network does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. The CZ Biohub Network will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with the CZ Biohub Network.