Director of External Innovations (Program Management)

As Director of External Innovations (Program Management), you will play a pivotal role in advancing BioNTech’s R&D pipeline by managing clinical collaborations and alliances with global biopharmaceutical partners. You will oversee, implement, and optimize key clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements, ensuring alignment with contract terms, governance requirements, and strategic partnership objectives.

In this high-visibility position, you will act as the primary relationship steward, driving alignment between BioNTech and its partners while proactively addressing challenges. Your work will directly contribute to our mission of revolutionizing cancer treatment and other serious diseases through cutting-edge technology.

Your Contribution:

• Serve as the accountable owner for assigned clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements, ensuring seamless integration of contractual terms into operational workflows
• Act as the central liaison for collaboration partners at all levels, fostering trust, transparent communication, and problem-solving
• Manage joint governance forums such as Joint Steering/Development Committees to ensure efficient decision-making processes
• Partner with internal teams across clinical, regulatory, supply chain, quality assurance, legal, finance & budgeting functions to embed agreement obligations into daily operations
• Lead cross-functional coordination to ensure clarity of roles and deliver high-quality outcomes for collaborations
• Drive continuous improvement in partnership operations by assessing alliance performance and implementing optimized processes

A Good Match:

• Bachelor’s degree required; demonstrated experience in project or alliance management within pharmaceutical/biotechnology sectors with 8 plus years, including drug development projects or clinical collaborations
• Strong expertise in managing joint governance processes while resolving conflicts effectively
• Ability to interpret complex contractual language and collaborate with legal teams for document review and amendments
• Practical knowledge of late-stage drug development processes across intellectual property, regulatory affairs, CMC, supply chain management, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, etc.
• Excellent organizational skills with a talent for managing multiple workstreams while maintaining high-quality execution

Preferred qualifications: Advanced degrees in life sciences are preferred

Expected Pay Range: $168,100 - 268,700/year + benefits, annual bonus & equity (bonus and equity is variable and dependent on company and individual performance). *Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Your Benefits:

BioNTech US is committed to employee wellbeing and offers best-in-class benefits & HR programs to support an inclusive & diverse workforce. Salaried/Position-Targeted Hourly Employees working 30+ hours per week are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D, Critical Illness Insurance
• Pre-tax HSA & FSA, DCRA Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance & Concierge Program (EAP) available 24/7
• Parental and Childbirth Leave & Family Planning Assistance
• Sitterstream: Virtual Tutoring & Childcare Membership
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Sick, Bereavement, Holidays (including Floating) & Year-End U.S. Shutdown.
• 401(K) Plan with Company Match
• Tuition Reimbursement & Student Loan Assistance Programs
• Wellbeing Incentive Platforms & Incentives
• Professional Development Programs
• Commuting Allowance and subsidized parking
• Discounted Home, Auto & Pet Insurance

…and more! More details to be shared.

Home to dozens of research institutions, biopharmaceutical companies, life science incubators, venture capital firms, and over 30 million square feet of laboratory space, Cambridge, Massachusetts has earned a reputation as the #1 life science cluster in the world. As part of the Greater Boston area, the city is often referred to as the "biotech supercluster" due to its high concentration of life sciences firms. This unique ecosystem is the result of a model partnership between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation and driving the development of new therapies, medical devices, and diagnostics. As Cambridge’s thriving life sciences industry continues to evolve, the city remains a beacon of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, poised to shape the future of science and technology.

Apply now - We look forward to your application!

Apply for our Cambridge, US location and simply send us your documents using our online form.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that a background check will be conducted as part of the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you are considered for the position, BioNTech will conduct the background check through our service provider ‘HireRight’. You will be informed accordingly by your BioNTech-Recruiter.