Associate Director, Corporate Alliances

Job Category:              Full-Time /Exempt

Department/Division:  AACR Foundation

Reports To:                Senior Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Location:                   Philadelphia, PA   

Organizational Profile:

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), with more than 40,000 members residing in 120 countries, is the first and largest organization in the world dedicated to advances in all areas of high-quality, innovative cancer research.  Its mission is to prevent and cure all cancers.  The programs and activities of the AACR foster the exchange of new knowledge among scientists and physicians in the cancer field as well as in related biomedical sciences.  AACR publishes eight peer-reviewed scientific journals and an award-winning magazine for cancer patients and their loved ones; convenes topical scientific conferences and an annual meeting that draws more than 22,600 participants; offers educational workshops that train young investigators in a variety of scientific and clinical areas; funds fellowships, career development awards, and research grants for both senior and junior investigators; raises public awareness of the progress in and reasons for hope in the biology, detection, diagnosis, treatment,  and prevention of cancer; engages actively in advocacy for increased federal research funding and other national policies that accelerate progress against cancer; and interacts with regulatory agencies to support regulatory science and policy.

AACR Foundation:

The AACR Foundation was established in 2000. The purpose of the Foundation is to raise funds for cancer research, for AACR’s programs and services, and for the overall promotion of the organization’s mission. The AACR Foundation has the creativity, innovation, and flexibility to support AACR in making significant advances in the prevention and conquest of cancer. With the help of contributors from among the AACR membership, colleagues, and friends in the national and international cancer community, and corporations and foundations, the AACR Foundation is poised to help the AACR achieve important victories in the fight against cancer.

The AACR Foundation was preceded by a Development Division at AACR formed in 1997. During the past sixteen years, the Division grew from a fundraising operation that raised $1.5 million in 1998, to a staff of seventeen people raising more than $28 million today. The Foundation is positioned for growth, particularly among individual constituencies, and has a goal of doubling its attainment within the next decade.

Among the AACR Foundation’s current programs are corporate contributions, industry alliances, foundation grants, individual annual giving campaigns, community endurance events, and web-based engagement.

Job Summary:

The AACR Foundation seeks an accomplished, energetic and results-oriented professional focused on developing relationships that will result in six and seven-figure gifts from assigned industry (pharma, biotech, diagnostics) partners for a range of AACR program activities (scientific grants/awards, conferences, annual meeting, patient advocacy, Cancer Today publication, etc.). She/he will be a strategist to maximize and secure industry support, while creatively and meaningfully engaging our industry clients in a long-term partnership with the AACR. This individual is also responsible for developing and managing new and strategic alliances.

The AACR Foundation has a history of engaging corporate support from the pharmaceutical/biotech sectors. The Associate Director of Corporate Alliances will apply her/his scientific knowledge and experience in oncology research to maintain and develop relationships with key industry organizations and leaders in support of the AACR mission.

The Associate Director of Corporate Alliances will interface regularly with colleagues across the AACR and AACR Foundation to leverage synergies, and with the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations to develop collateral and programs aimed at engaging the unique interests of the AACR’s industry partners.

The Associate Director of Corporate Alliances will regularly engage and leverage the AACR Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Executive Director, as well as the AACR’s CEO and Board of Directors in advancing relationships with the pharmaceutical industry and the closure of 5 to 7 figure gifts. The Associate Director will work regularly with the larger AACR Foundation team to advance gift strategies and will coordinate with other AACR departments to engage partners as may be needed to achieve the organization’s programmatic and attainment objectives, and to guarantee high standards with regard to transaction processing, acknowledgements, and other critical processes.

The Associate Director should plan to travel locally and nationally, often to leading scientific meetings, to engage industry clients in face-to-face visits on a regular basis. As such, the Associate Director will be measured for her/his key contributions to the growth of this AACR Foundation sectors funding, and will be expected to nurture and grow the quality and quantity of pharmaceutical industry relationships to achieve increasing attainment objectives.

The Associate Director is a manager-level staff member of the AACR Foundation, and serves as a mentor for junior staff – modeling a positive and professional demeanor at all times. As an ambassador for the AACR, the Associate Director exudes professionalism and quality.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

•Utilizes scientific expertise to establish new, and strengthen, existing revenue-generating corporate partnerships in support of AACR meetings, conferences, grants, and other key scientific priorities.

•Maintains an excellent relationship with various AACR partners mapping out all relevant funding channels and contacts at each account. Translates this understanding into actionable partnership and solicitations leading to growth of AACR revenue.

•Performs role of key client contact across multiple accounts, taking a professional and timely approach to communications. Steward’s clients successfully with minimal direction, while proactively seeking regular review and input from Senior Director.

•Remains abreast of oncology market trends for the US and global markets, particularly as it impacts clients.

•Provides high quality, timely development and input to client solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries.

•Responsible for the planning and execution of various meetings and events, such as the AACR-Industry Roundtable, that are designed to strengthen AACR’s relationships with industry. Drives meeting outcomes reporting identifying next steps and follow-through to maximize opportunities.

•Pursues and forms productive and collegial relationships with various AACR departments to remain informed of organizational priorities and sustain the flow of information about programs, budgets, etc. required to complete proposals.

•Works thoroughly, quickly, and efficiently. Is mindful of deadlines and the high volume of requests demanding completion.

•May pursue information directly from prospective funding source as appropriate to inform preparation of a grant request.

•Documents follow-up communications related to each proposal initiative for specific donors/prospects in shared files and database, which are accessible to larger team – to inform related strategies and interactions with the prospect.

•Effectively manages high volume of unique support requests and proposals.

•Acts as liaison between AACR, AACR Foundation, and certain external agencies, companies, and volunteers.

•Track and manage grant deliverables, including interim and final reports, working with program staff to develop content, budgets, and financial reports.

•Performs the essential functions of the position, and other tasks as may be assigned and required.

Education Requirements:

•Master’s Degree minimum

•PharmD or PhD in biological science preferred

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

•At least 3 – 5 years of experience in oncology research with strong knowledge of pharmaceutical industry.

•Thorough conceptual understanding of the drug development and commercialization process.

•Knowledge and understanding of the oncology marketplace.

•Mastery at handling a large volume of projects efficiently and quickly in a deadline driven environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

•Demonstrated skills in developing business partnerships.

•Experience in building strong external and internal relationships.

•Excellent time-management skills.

•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

•Ability to communicate effectively at all levels with diverse individuals.

•Ability to comprehend, synthesize and communicate complex scientific content. •Demonstrated ability to make complex decisions, problem solve, practice hands-on management, and work with volunteers.

•Passion for AACR’s mission to prevent and cure cancer.

Technical Competencies & Special Skills:

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint

•Experience using fund raising software to track proposals and information related to prospects.

How To Apply:

To apply, please send a resume cover letter, one writing sample, and salary expectations to:

American Association for Cancer Research Attn: Human Resources Department 615 Chestnut Street, 17th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: (215) 440-1045

Equal Opportunity Employer