Associate Director Corporate Partnerships and Program Development Operations

The Associate Director at Flagship Pioneering is responsible for optimizing strategic partnership operations, overseeing joint initiatives, and ensuring operational excellence across alliance management functions. This includes program tracking, facilitating internal meetings, and monitoring key performance indicators to drive success in Corporate Partnerships.

Candidates for the Associate Director position at Flagship Pioneering typically need a Bachelor’s degree in business administration or life sciences, with an MBA being a plus. Having over 6 years of experience in corporate partnerships or operations in a fast-paced environment is critical, along with strong leadership and communication skills.

The Associate Director contributes to operational efficiency by developing and implementing best practices for corporate partnership operations, tracking program management timelines, and streamlining internal communication to ensure all teams are aligned and working effectively towards shared goals.

At Flagship Pioneering, the Associate Director can expect a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. This role thrives on collaboration, innovation, and the pursuit of continuous improvement, providing ample opportunity for professional growth while addressing significant challenges in biotechnology.

Key skills include project and program management expertise, strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, excellent communication and organizational skills, and the ability to lead diverse teams. Being self-motivated and detail-oriented are also vital for success in this role.

When answering this question, focus on specific instances where you successfully developed or managed partnerships. Highlight your ability to align objectives, how you tracked performance, and any tangible outcomes that resulted from your work. Sharing metrics or success stories can greatly enhance your response.

In your response, discuss strategies you employ to foster open communication. Talk about tools you use for project tracking or reporting, how you facilitate meetings, and your methods for ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding project goals and timelines.

Provide a clear example that outlines the challenge you faced, the steps you took to implement a solution, and the positive outcomes. Quantifying the results can bolster your answer, showing your impact on efficiency or effectiveness in operations.

Discuss specific KPIs relevant to partnership management, such as project completion rates or partner satisfaction scores. Explain how monitoring these indicators influenced your decision-making and improved operational success in your previous roles.

Outline your systematic approach to problem-solving. Mention how you analyze facts, involve relevant stakeholders, and leverage collaboration for solutions, emphasizing your ability to remain calm under pressure and your experience resolving complex issues.

Share your passion for strategic partnerships and their role in driving innovation in biotech. Explain how aligning corporate goals with social impact aligns with your career aspirations, showcasing your dedication to improving health and sustainability.

Describe your time management strategies and tools you utilize to stay organized. Consider mentioning how you assess project urgency and importance and how you communicate with teams to ensure deadlines are met efficiently.

Discuss success metrics such as achieving project goals, establishing strong partnerships, and fostering team collaboration. Additionally, emphasize your commitment to long-term relationship building and how this aligns with Flagship Pioneering’s mission for innovation.

Focus on a project that showcases your management skills. Describe the project’s objectives, your role, the challenges you encountered, and the results achieved. Highlight your contributions to the project’s success and how it benefitted stakeholders.

Discuss traits like strong communication and negotiation skills. Also, emphasize the importance of adaptability and relationship-building, noting how these traits contribute to successful collaboration and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes for partners.