Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships

The Role
In this role, you will significantly contribute to Moderna’s vision through impactful engagement with key vendors that align with Moderna’s mission. The Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships is a visible and influential leader responsible for driving strategic partnerships within the Strategic Partnerships and Outsourcing team in our Development Organization. You will develop and oversee governance and communication models, implement strategies, and ensure value delivery through partnerships. Essential qualities for this role include the ability to collaborate and organize effectively in a fast-paced, results-focused environment, coupled with a strong passion for Clinical Development.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Lead and deliver partnership value and continuous improvement within a strategic global partnership.

• Oversee and maintain the partnership governance model to ensure optimal performance.

• Facilitate change management initiatives with internal stakeholders and partners to improve processes and drive efficiencies.

• Plan, implement, and monitor partnership activities in collaboration with internal functional leadership and teams.

• Drive resolution of conflicts and escalations at all levels to maintain effective partnership relations.

• Manage performance and quality metrics through scorecard evaluation and analysis.

• Identify opportunities for optimization and innovation through evaluation of partner capabilities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to align objectives and foster collaboration.

• Communicate Moderna’s goals and objectives, ensuring alignment with partner strategies.

• Monitor partnership health through surveys and feedback mechanisms, implementing improvements as needed.

• Identify and execute value-add projects to optimize partnership delivery.

• Additional duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• Governance and Communication Management

• Implement a tailored governance model and communication plan for each partnership.

• Lead governance interactions and committees, including agenda preparation, prioritizing discussions, and tracking action items.

• Provide regular updates to Moderna leadership and key stakeholders on partnership progress.

• Support contract negotiations and renegotiations, collaborating with Procurement and Clinical Outsourcing teams.

• Maintain a partnership-level risk log and oversee action and decision logs for governance.

• Partnership Relationship Building

• Influence stakeholders to deliver partnership objectives, including prioritizations, budgeting, and strategic planning.

• Integrate and implement best practices from other Moderna partnerships to drive continuous improvement.

• Actively promote a partnering mindset within the Development organization.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline.

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with at least 6 years in strategic partnering, alliance, or vendor management.

• 2+ years of direct experience with CRO strategic partnerships/alliance management preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to govern and manage external partnerships successfully.

• Strong business acumen, including project management, meeting facilitation, and analytical skills.

• Experience in establishing and monitoring metrics aligned with KPIs, KQIs, and KRIs.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Advanced degree preferred.

• Experience creating and implementing vendor management processes and functional excellence initiatives.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

• Proven ability to lead and manage meetings effectively.

• Strong interpersonal skills to influence and inspire across functions and levels.

• Strategic and innovative thinking with a solutions-oriented approach.

• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.

• This role is based in our new LEED-certified HQ in Cambridge, MA and is expected to be in office 70% of the time with flexibility to work from home up to 30%.

Moderna is pleased to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:

• Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
• Lifestyle Spending Account funds to help you engage in personal enrichment and self-care activities
• Family care benefits, including subsidized back-up care options and on-demand tutoring
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes 
• Exclusive preferred pricing on Peloton fitness equipment
• Adoption and family-planning benefits
• Dedicated care coordination support for our LGBTQ+ community
• Generous paid time off, including:
  •    Vacation, sick time and holidays
  •    Volunteer time to participate within your community
  •    Discretionary year-end shutdown
  •    Paid sabbatical after 5 years; every 3 years thereafter
• Generous Paid Leave offerings, including 18 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents
• 401k match and Financial Planning tools
• Moderna-paid Life, LTD and STD insurance coverages, as well as voluntary benefit options
• Complimentary concierge service including home services research, travel booking, and entertainment requests
• Free parking or subsidized commuter passes
• Location-specific perks and extras!

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. 

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.
We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute and make a meaningful impact.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity are critical to the success of our company and our impact on society. We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees and believe that by cultivating diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we can provide an environment where every employee is able to contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [email protected].  (EEO/AAP Employer) 

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