Senior Program Officer, Health Innovation Partnerships (Drug Development Partnerships)

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, it emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for community engagement. Since establishing its China Office in Beijing in 2007, the organization has focused on supporting Chinese partners in improving health and well-being both locally and globally, playing a crucial role in global health and development goals.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer will be part of the Health Innovation & Partnerships (HIP) team within the China Office, focusing on advancing innovative solutions to combat global infectious diseases and reduce maternal and child mortality. The role requires expertise in pharmaceutical innovation, investment, or business development, with a focus on identifying and structuring partnerships around promising drug development assets. The officer will scout translational development opportunities, assess assets, and broker collaborations with various stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies and academic partners. The ideal candidate will ensure that innovations from China are translated into accessible solutions for low- and middle-income countries, leveraging strong networks and a deep understanding of China's innovation ecosystem.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Asset Scouting & Evaluation: Identify and evaluate promising preclinical and clinical-stage assets, focusing on small molecules and translational development platforms. Prioritize scouting for therapeutic innovations targeting tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health conditions. Organize expert reviews and due diligence on scientific and commercial potential. Develop investment cases and partnership structures for selected assets.
• Partnership Building & Transactions: Collaborate with the foundation’s Business Development & Licensing team for deal sourcing and execution with pharma/biotech companies and other partners. Lead post-deal management and forge collaborations to support development and commercialization. Represent the foundation in negotiations and build relationships with internal teams.
• Portfolio Strategy & Execution: Shape and manage a portfolio of drug development partnerships aligned with global health priorities. Provide strategic guidance on product development plans and ensure assets are positioned for global regulatory pathways. Track progress and impact metrics to drive portfolio success.
• Cross-Sector Engagement & Advocacy: Build relationships with scientific leaders and funders to catalyze innovation for low- and middle-income countries. Facilitate collaborations that bridge R&D excellence with market access and engage with multilateral partners and advocacy networks.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, or a related field is required, with an MBA or dual training being valued. Candidates should have over 10 years of senior-level experience in innovation acceleration, alliance management, pharma licensing, or business development, with a proven track record in closing deals or building partnerships around preclinical or clinical assets. Extensive experience in pharma development from multinational corporations and familiarity with international drug development standards are highly desirable. Skills in asset evaluation across pharmaceutical science, clinical development, and regulatory pathways are also important. A commitment to equitable access to healthcare innovations in low- and middle-income countries is essential, along with demonstrated excellence in negotiation and stakeholder engagement.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, or a related field. An MBA or dual training is also valued, particularly for those with a background in research and development (MD/PhD/PharmD) or equivalent qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in fields such as innovation acceleration, alliance management, pharma licensing, business development, or venture capital. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully closing deals or building partnerships around preclinical or clinical assets, with extensive experience in pharmaceutical development from multinational corporations.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Chinese (written and spoken) is required for this position. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse cultural and operational contexts of the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Beijing and requires the candidate to be legally eligible to work in China without visa sponsorship. The role may involve travel up to 30% domestically and internationally. The application deadline is set for 23 November 202

• The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.