PR/096867 | Associate Director - Biopharma Partnerships

Company Overview: Our client is a national research and industry partnership office that drives public‑private R&D collaborations across therapeutics, diagnostics, medtech and digital health. They engage multinational and local biopharma/biotech companies and public research and clinical institutions to accelerate translational research, commercialization and industry development.

Position: Associate Director - Biopharma Partnerships

Role summary: Second‑in‑command for the Therapeutics Team. Lead strategy development and manage high‑value R&D partnerships with biopharma MNCs, foreign biotech and local biotech companies. Drive industry development plans, account management, program delivery and cross‑institutional collaboration to advance therapeutics R&D initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Industry & Trend Analysis: Monitor therapeutic area and modality trends (e.g., oncology, cardiovascular/metabolic, immunology, neuroscience; cell & gene, nucleic acid, precision medicine) and translate insights into R&D program and industry development strategies.

• Account Management & Partnership Development: Build trusted relationships with R&D and corporate leaders in biopharma/biotech; identify partnership opportunities; match industry needs with local research/clinical capabilities; facilitate meetings, proposals and partnership agreements; support contracting and funding discussions where required.

• Program Management & Delivery: Oversee execution of collaborative projects, monitor progress, mediate cross‑institutional issues, and ensure alignment of expectations and outcomes.

• Stakeholder & Network Development: Cultivate networks with public sector agencies, research institutes, hospitals, tech transfer and industry partners.

• National Initiative Support: Drive or support industry engagement for national R&D initiatives and multi‑institutional programs.

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a small team (2–3 direct reports); allocate resources, guide project delivery and uphold quality standards.

• Communication & Reporting: Prepare strategic briefings, proposals, progress reports and stakeholder communications.

• Governance & Compliance: Ensure adherence to institutional policies, funding terms and research governance.

Reporting & Team

• Reports to the Therapeutics Team Lead / Head of Program.

• Manages a small team (2–3) and collaborates closely with program managers, research offices and external partners.

Key Requirements:

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in biomedical sciences, clinical research/development, product development, technology commercialization or industry partnerships. Prior industry experience in biopharma/biotech (pre‑clinical, BD, strategy or partnerships) advantageous.

• Strong understanding of therapeutics R&D, modalities and translational pathways from discovery to clinical development and manufacturing R&D.

• Proven stakeholder engagement, complex project management and cross‑institutional coordination skills.

• Strategic thinker with ability to synthesize technical topics and provide actionable recommendations.

• Demonstrated team leadership and ability to work independently.

• Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at engaging senior industry and research stakeholders.

• Familiarity with national RIE ecosystem and public‑private funding mechanisms advantageous.

• Flexible, proactive and able to perform tasks beyond the core role when required.

Preferred Background:

• Experience in biopharma MNCs, biotech startups, translational research offices or technology commercialization roles.

• Prior involvement in national or multi‑institutional R&D programs and industry engagement initiatives.

Performance Indicators:

• Number and quality of industry partnerships initiated and sustained.

• Successful facilitation and delivery of collaborative R&D projects (timeliness, milestones, outcomes).

• Influence on R&D program strategy informed by market and technology insights.

• Stakeholder satisfaction across industry and public sector partners.

• Team performance, development and retention.

What Will Make You Competitive:

• Strong scientific and commercial judgement across therapeutic modalities and translational pathways.

• Proven ability to build credibility with senior biopharma R&D and corporate leaders.

• Track record of driving cross‑institutional projects to measurable outcomes.

• Comfortable operating at the intersection of science, policy and industry.

How to Apply: Apply online or contact me for further information. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified due to application volume; thank you for your understanding.

Adrian Leong JAC Recruitment Pte Ltd EA Personnel: R26160017