PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Business Development Team, under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, is responsible for promoting and supporting the growth of the Massachusetts Life Sciences ecosystem by leveraging state programs to attract, retain, and grow life sciences companies in the Commonwealth. The current business development landscape is such that workforce development and talent resources in Massachusetts have become paramount in companies deciding to locate and expand here. Along with the Senior Director of Business Development and Workforce Partnerships (“SrDir of BD/WP”), the Manager of Business Development & Workforce Partnerships will directly engage life science companies to assess and address their workforce development needs, connect them with existing government and nonprofit resources, and where necessary, assist in developing new programming to serve ongoing, unmet needs within the current and future talent pipelines. This is primarily an external client-facing role that is a key support for the BD and Workforce teams, as they work to connect companies with talent, and welcome a broad and diverse spectrum of Massachusetts residents into fulfilling, productive careers in the life sciences industry.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Business Development and Workforce Partnerships and will collaborate extensively with other departments at the Center on an as needed basis.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follows up with identified industry partners to gather data on their workforce needs (current open roles, skills required, existing partnerships), in coordination with the Senior Director of Business Development and Workforce Partnerships (Sr Dir of BD/WP).
• Participates in meetings with partner agencies on specific industry workforce engagements (MassHire, MassMedic, MassBio, etc.).
• Assists in facilitating logistics for workforce development meetings on-site at MLSC and off-site at various company HQs (supplies, agendas, visual aids, tent cards, etc.).
• Researches, indices, and updates workforce training resources and organizations (higher education, vocational school, community colleges) in Massachusetts to be able to share with companies, along with the MassHire Market Maker.
• Collects supplementary data on company workforce needs from Pitchbook, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other indirect resources to add any missing relevant details not provided directly from the company.
• Coordinates directly with other MLSC staff on the “Education & Workforce Development” and “Business Development” teams on shared strategic priorities, and the “Marketing & Communications” (“MarComm”) team on event details and information sharing.
• Strategizes larger engagements with workforce development initiatives & training partners, along with the SrDir of BD/WP.
• Assists in creating online resources for companies, training providers, and students/job seekers, including potential marketing materials.
• Assist and support the BD team as needed for events, conferences, company meetings, or info sessions.
• Participates in efforts including preparation for and attendance at company meetings.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned or requested.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The position does not include any supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Stellar interpersonal and public speaking skills.
• Top notch verbal and written communication ability.
• Familiarity with the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem and/or state-level economic development programs and incentives.
• Responsive and professional in engaging with multiple stakeholders in industry, academia, and government.
• Organized and methodical in executing on strategic action steps, often in coordination with multiple other staff members, departments, or agencies.
• Creative problem-solving and quick-thinking.
• Helpful, positive, team-player attitude.
• Ability to drive personal vehicle to company sites (approx. once a week).
• Competency in word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling, database and presentation software (MS Outlook, MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint, Salesforce/NetSuite CRM).
• Discreet, able to maintain confidentiality and possess good judgment.
• Minimum of 2-3 years professional administrative experience preferred (additional preference for experience in a customer-facing roles, events management, and life sciences or workforce development).
• Must be a proactive team player who can anticipate the needs of the MLSC Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and President and CEO.
• Ability to work well both in teams and independently.
• Ability to exercise initiative in following through on assignments within stated deadlines.
• Must have strong computer (PC) skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software (specifically Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint)

EXTENT OF PUBLIC CONTACT

• Extensive contact with all levels of the organization.
• Contact with MLSC Board of Directors and Public officials; various state agencies and industry associations including but not limited to the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED), the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) and Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC).
• Regular contact with various external stakeholders including members of the life sciences industry.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed primarily in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Currently, work is being conducted via a hybrid remote work model, which includes in-person at the office in Waltham two (2) days per week (Wednesdays and Thursdays), and remotely for 3 days a week in accordance with state guidance and safety in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When state guidelines stipulate that it is safe to fully return to an in-person office environment, additional in-person attendance at the office will be expected, with flexibility as needed.

• Must be able to work a regular work schedule of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and attend occasional evening events
• Occasional adjustments to schedule may be required
• Must have a vehicle for interstate travel/transportation
• Occasional travel within Massachusetts for meetings and events is required (expenses are reimbursable)
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or qualified exemption, required (as per state regulations; policy may be updated if/when state guidelines change)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, or hear; must be able to operate office equipment; occasional reaching above shoulder heights or below the waist; lift and/or move up to 15 pounds as required to file documents or store materials during the workday. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision. Must be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing; must be able to establish and maintain professional interpersonal relationships. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.