Associate Director/ Director, Alliance Management

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases.

We are pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.

With five currently marketed medicines for serious diseases and an expansive late-stage pipeline, we continue to build upon our groundbreaking innovations in science and technology to provide greater value to patients;

and we are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence.

We know our success is a direct result of the exceptional talent and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team.

We continue to invest time, money, and energy into making our onsite and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We are building on our rich history, and believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. We invite you to apply and join us if you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, our employees, and our organization.

Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR, ALLIANCE MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY :

The Associate Director / Director of Alliance Management will be responsible for multiple strategic alliances that may include programs ranging from early-stage research to late-stage development or commercialized products.

The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with the ability to find business solutions to R&D-related issues within alliances and drive the collaboration to success.

Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to build relationships are required. The Associate Director / Director of Alliance Management will play a key leadership role on her / his program team to ensure that Ionis’ alliances achieve company financial and performance objectives.

Related business development experience is a significant plus.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Ensuring all Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ business objectives related to assigned alliances are achieved
• Establishing trust and effective relationships with partner company between key team members
• Ensuring roles, responsibilities, and obligations are understood and maintained throughout the duration of each alliance
• Lead or co-lead renegotiating current terms and expanding business opportunities with current partners
• Playing an active role in new transactions as part of the deal team and / or as a business development 2nd chair
• Organizing and leading successful joint governance committee and project team meetings
• Presenting and working closely with senior management to effectively resolve alliance issues
• Partnering with finance to ensure accurate forecasting of financial milestones
• Partnering with corporate communications and investor relations for internal and external messaging related to programs and timing of public disclosures

CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS :

Complex and evolving business model

• Requires a hands-on alliance professional with demonstrated success in working with cross-functional leaders internally and externally in a complicated, changing environment
• The successful candidate will be proactive, foresee opportunities, and communicate effectively to evaluate and optimize business situations

Science-focused organization

• All employees must be comfortable in an environment that embraces interrogative debate to manage projects, solve problems, and resolve disagreements
• Culture requires thorough preparation, resilience, and a willingness to have others challenge ideas while also developing mutually respectful relationships to influence others without direct authority

Fast-paced, intense environment

• Requires flexibility, a willingness to learn from others, and a sense of drive to ensure organizational objectives are met
• Ionis' leaders at all levels do real work, collaborating, learning, and contributing to many projects
• Global relationships require availability for communication across time zones to ensure project milestones and quality expectations are achieved

BENEFITS OF THE OPPORTUNITY :

• This exceptional opportunity is a leadership role focused on creating world-class partnerships to develop a broad range of products moving to commercial approval.
• Operating within a uniquely transparent organization with direct communication at all levels, each employee is encouraged to challenge ideas with the intent to achieve the best possible work product and solutions.
• The fast-paced environment rewards high-performance standards, emphasizing action and results generated by collaboration and creativity.
• It is an exciting time at Ionis as the organization evolves, products are approved, and patients benefit from the collaboration, dedication, and determination of its bright and talented staff.

REQUIREMENTS :

• Bachelor or other scientific degree required with a strong grasp of scientific language and concepts
• Advanced degree is a plus (Master of Business Administration, Masters, or PhD)
• At least 8 years (with a Master’s degree) or 12 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of alliance management experience in R&D and commercial alliances;

additional experience in R&D, business development, program leadership, and project management, is beneficial

• Demonstrated strong oral presentation and written communication skills a must
• Track record of managing significant projects that are material to the company across a broad range of functions including R&D, business development, corporate communications / investor relations, finance, and legal
• Demonstrated technical and interpersonal skills required to develop and maintain relationships with senior executives internally and externally
• Ability to process and synthesize information at a variety of levels on a large number of projects
• Excellent judgment an ability to make decisions independently and to know when appropriate to partner with senior management for decision-making
• Skilled relationship manager with experience influencing others without direct authority to achieve organizational objectives
• Some flexibility in working hours to accommodate management of global partnerships
• Some travel required, including international; potentially 10-20%
• This role will be required to be on-site at our Carlsbad, CA headquarters

Benefits

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