Partnerships Specialist

 Who are we?  

About LabCentral:  

Founded in the heart of Kendall Square in 2013, LabCentral is a network of shared laboratory spaces and scientific communities that serve as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups. We deliver first-class facility and operational support, skilled laboratory personnel, and an expansive events program designed to add value to the community and promote connectivity‒ as well as the other critical services and support that early-stage companies need to begin start-up operations.

What is this role?

Do you take satisfaction in making a relationship-driven operation run cleanly? When you see an active deal portfolio do you instantly think about tracking it, closing gaps, and moving it forward? Do you find it energizing to be the person whose follow-through is what makes things happen?

LabCentral is seeking a Partnerships Specialist to join our partnerships team in Cambridge, MA. This role reports to the Director of Partnerships & Strategy and is responsible for the systems, processes, and day-to-day execution that keep a high-touch sponsorship portfolio running well. Our partners include pharmaceutical companies, life sciences investors, equipment providers, reagent and supply vendors, and scientific service providers.

You'll be a strong fit for this role if you have 2 to 3 years of experience in partnerships, account management, sales operations, or business operations, and you've worked in an environment with active deal flow and multiple concurrent external relationships. You should be comfortable owning your workstreams independently while working in close partnership with a senior leader in a high-judgment, fast-moving function. We are looking for someone whose follow-through, judgment, and attention to detail are at their best when the pace is high and the portfolio is complex.

What will I do?

Responsibilities:

Pipeline and Prospect Management:

• Own the partnerships pipeline in HubSpot, keeping records on active sponsors, prospects, deal status, and next steps current and accurate
• Track follow-through on outreach, proposals, renewals, and open items so the team keeps momentum on active opportunities
  
  

Contract and Agreement Support:

• Maintain a well-organized contract repository with clear visibility into term dates, renewal windows, and key obligations
• Prepare materials and briefings that support sponsorship negotiations and agreement discussions
  
  

Partner and Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as a consistent point of contact for day-to-day requests from active partners and prospects, responding with the care and responsiveness LabCentral's sponsorship model requires
• Support the Director in reading relationship signals across the portfolio, including signs of engagement, risk, and opportunity, and contribute to prioritization decisions
  
  

Internal Operations and Systems:

• Build CRM infrastructure in HubSpot, including pipeline structure, relationship tracking, reporting, and process documentation
• Design and improve internal workflows that give the partnerships team and cross-functional stakeholders real-time clarity on deal status, deliverable fulfillment, and renewal timelines
  
  

What do I bring?

Desired qualifications:

• 2 to 3 years of professional experience in partnerships, account management, sales operations, business operations, or a comparable function
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft professional, polished partner-facing communications with minimal review
• Experience building and managing CRM systems, including structuring pipelines and producing reporting; HubSpot experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI systems with a genuine interest in finding new applications as the tools evolve
• Demonstrated ability to manage follow-through across multiple concurrent workstreams
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with trackers, status reporting, and operational data
• Ability to work independently and in close collaboration with a manager and cross-functionally in a high-judgment, evolving environment
• Experience supporting contract workflows or legal agreement coordination preferred
  
  

In your first six months, you will:

• Learn the pipeline and sponsorship agreement workflow end to end, from initiation through execution, and bring forward any process improvements you would recommend
• Take ownership of day-to-day partner requests and internal follow-up
• Build a working knowledge of LabCentral's active partner portfolio, deal history, and pipeline dynamics, while getting fully up to speed in HubSpot and with internal tracking systems
• Develop relationships with key internal stakeholders across events, lab operations, finance, and leadership.
  
  

Work environment:

• Fully onsite during regular business hours
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods, move around an office environment, and communicate clearly in a variety of settings
• Occasional off-hours availability for partner events or time-sensitive matters
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds
• Ability to travel locally between LabCentral sites across Cambridge and Boston, MA, as part of LabCentral's All-Cyte organizational function
• Occasional ability to travel to partner sites across the region or conferences in support of partner relationships
  
  

What do we offer?    

Benefits:   

• Fully Covered Medical and Dental Premiums: We have you and your dependents covered, including deductible costs.    
• Long and Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance: Life can be unexpected; we've got your back.   
• Flexible Vacation: Enjoy the flexibility to take the time you need.    
• Three Months Fully Paid Parental Leave: We'll help support you during life's important moments.   
• 401K Match Up to 6% with Immediate Vestment: Know your future is secure with our 401K match.   
• Transportation Reimbursements: We'll cover commuting costs for a parking pass, MBTA, or bike maintenance so you can get to work hassle-free.   
• Health & Wellness: Relax and enjoy reimbursements for fitness, yoga, massage therapy, and other holistic health practices.   
• Technology Stipend: To ensure you stay connected, we offer a monthly cell phone stipend as well as yearly reimbursements for cell phone repairs.   
• Professional Growth: We offer a stipend for continuing education and training to invest in your career growth, and we help ease the burden of student loans by providing reimbursement.   
• Fantastic Work Environment: Be inspired by colleagues and residents, and work in vibrant spaces that are stocked with a variety of snacks. Plus, we offer in-house programming on thought-provoking and diverse topics!   
  
  

Compensation   

Our compensation philosophy is intentional and researched to align with average market salaries; comprehensive, generous benefits to support overall well-being; and parity with our existing and future team members. Below details the value of what our compensation package may look like, but specific details pertaining to an individual will vary.      

Salary range: $57-74k along with the potential to earn a bonus of 8% based on company performance.     

Approximate monetary value of benefits (based off an individual – dependents increase value): $22,000.  

Equal Opportunity Employer      

LabCentral is committed to building teams that reflect the fabric of the city around us. We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Any other human expressions and experiences not mentioned here are equally welcome. If you require an accommodation, please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.