The Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP) is the venture philanthropy division of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The goal of the program is to rapidly advance novel therapeutic approaches that have the potential to prolong the life of patients with blood cancer. TAP primarily provides funding for, and partners with, biotechnology companies, although some assets reside within the academic (university) setting. This highly successful program, which has been operational since 2008 and provided over $100 Million of support since inception, has already funded 3 therapies that have been FDA approved within the last few years. The portfolio currently has over 15 assets.
The Senior Vice President/Vice President Research of the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP) will lead this program. The candidate will provide strategic leadership, play a key role in evaluating approximately 70 new opportunities per year, and exercise administrative oversight to drive the success of the expanding and highly successful TAP program. The incumbent will have substantial oncology and project management experience and will work as a senior member of the Research Department to set the strategy and achieve Research goals.
- Provide strategic oversight of the TAP as a critical component of the LLS research mission.
- Participate in and guide the identification and evaluation of opportunities; on-going evaluation of alliances; preparation for and conduct of TAP committee meetings both within LLS and for an external advisory board.
- Provide project management oversight for all TAP partnerships. Manage and direct the TAP scientific staff providing on-going support for project identification and management. Define needs for external contractor support (e.g. CROs, drug manufacturers, consultants).
- Work closely with VP, Research Business Development and Alliances to identify biotechnology, pharmaceutical and investment partners to enable and enhance the development of opportunities for LLS’s scientific portfolio and to execute and evaluate terms of contracts.
- Work with the VP, Research (Academic Grants) to identify and translate potential blood cancer therapies from the LLS academic grant portfolio.
- Represent the TAP at scientific, medical and business meetings and act as the Society liaison to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry as well as drug regulatory agencies (FDA)
- Work with revenue/fundraising departments (Campaigns, Advancement, and Corporate Partnerships) as well as Marketing and Communications to craft TAP-based donor material.
- Participate in weekly Research management meetings held by CSO to review and guide Research strategy for LLS.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- 10+ years of relevant post-doctoral scientific and clinical research experience.
- Pharma/Biotech or related CRO experience focusing on drug discovery and/or clinical development, and experience in the areas of business development, alliance partnership management, technology transfer & asset evaluation and other strategically relevant pharma/biotech business transactions.
- Experience with project and scientific staff management.
- Experience with translational research or in the area of biomarkers in clinical trials is highly valued as is a fundamental understanding of FDA regulatory requirements.
Position Requirements:
- Working knowledge of blood cancer research. Willingness to learn the biology and therapy development for a broad array of blood cancers over a multi-year period.
- Experience with drug discovery and/or development.
- Experience in the oversight of a wide variety of timeline-driven projects.
- Must be proactive and willing to do a wide variety of scientific and administrative oversight.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills will be particularly important due to the collaborative nature of this job. Ability to work in a dynamic, unstructured environment.
- Ability to motivate, lead, and supervise the activities of others, develops realistic timelines, and be able to solve problems.
- Excellent communication skills needed for working within LLS, with external review boards and LLS partnered companies.
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
- Physical demands are minimal and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
- Work environment is representative and typical of similar jobs in comparable organizations
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.