Senior Director, Innovation Translation

About OICR

OICR is Ontario's cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Job Details

Position: Senior Director, Innovation Translation

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Innovation Translation Office

Reports To: President and Scientific Director

Salary: Commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan, plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)

Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is seeking a Senior Director, Innovation Translation. As a key member of our technology transfer team, you will play a pivotal role in identifying new IP emanating from OICR research labs, finding new receptors and partners to further drive the translation of OICR assets towards commercial readiness, and exploring commercialization or licensing opportunities to advance OICR's portfolio of promising cancer assets.

Position Responsibilities

• Leverage strong network in the life sciences industry to identify commercialization opportunities to advance OICR's deep and diverse pipeline of promising oncology assets.
• Work with regional and national commercialization entities, such as FACIT, adMare, and TIAP as well as other interested seed-stage biotech investment groups to identify commercialization opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape to identify research and commercialization opportunities and inform strategic decision-making.
• Working with OICR inventors, OICR senior management and other members of the Innovation Translation Office to evaluate assets within the OICR portfolio, assess their potential value, and provide recommendations to help increase their value to attract investment.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to OICR senior management based on market intelligence and competitive analysis.
• Working with OICR inventors, develop compelling proposals and data packages to effectively communicate the assets to potential receptors.
• In-line with a strategy set by senior management, cultivate and manage relationships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research organizations, and other potential research partners.
• Initiate discussions and collaborations to drive commercialization opportunities.
• Support contract negotiations with potential transferees of OICR IP to optimize terms and conditions. Collaborate with legal, finance, and other teams to ensure contracts are properly reviewed, negotiated, and executed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key research and commercialization partners, serving as the primary point of contact for ongoing research collaborations. Proactively address needs, support issue resolutions, and identify opportunities for further research collaboration.
• Represent the organization as needed at industry conferences, investor meetings, scientific meetings, and networking events to promote its mission and foster collaboration and partnering opportunities.
• Work closely with internal cross-functional teams, to ensure effective coordination and execution of partnership initiatives.
• Track and report regular updates of progress, successes, and challenges to achieving licensing metrics to senior management.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to gather relevant information and ensure alignment with organizational objectives to enable and foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D degree in a scientific background in life sciences, pharmacology, or related fields that provides a strong understanding of molecular biology, or equivalent education and/or experience.
  
• Proven experience in IP translation roles within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry or academic technology transfer offices.
• Proven track record of establishing licensing agreements that resulted in the translation of assets into the clinic and marketplace.
• Knowledge of the drug discovery and development process, including target identification, hit identification, lead optimization, preclinical development, biomarker discovery, biomarker development, and clinical trials.
• Knowledge of commercialization paths for several asset classes: therapeutics, biomarkers/diagnostics, software-based discoveries.
• Strong understanding of the cancer therapeutics and diagnostic market landscape, industry trends, and competitive dynamics.
• Knowledge of competitive intelligence tools used to keep track of competition in specific asset areas being developed.
• Possesses network and connections within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, investment, and academic communities, particularly in the oncology field.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific and technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify and evaluate new partnership opportunities, assess risks, and make informed recommendations.
• Proactive, results-driven, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

POSTED DATE: April 10, 2024
CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan ). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

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The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.