About us:
Ascidian is redefining the treatment of disease by rewriting RNA .
Ascidian Therapeutics was founded to rewrite RNA by editing and replacing human exons. We were inspired by ocean creatures, called Ascidians, who are primordial ancestors of vertebrates. To grow from larvae to adults, ascidians re-engineer their transcriptome through RNA editing via trans-splicing and alternative splicing.
In our Brighton/Boston labs, RNA biology meets today's cutting-edge genomics, computational biology, and deep-sequencing technologies to create a new class of medicines that address the underlying causes of disease. We welcome you to come join our vibrant team and help us lead the way into a new gene therapy era.
Summary:
We're looking for an individual with a deep background in biological sciences, program management fundamentals, and alliance management with exceptional emotional intelligence and a deep interest in bringing therapies from the lab to the clinic. In this role, you will be the orchestra conductor of Ascidian's collaborative ecosystem with global pharmaceutical players, start-up peers, and academics, ensuring we leverage the best minds and resources to bring our innovations to patients faster.
Success by the end of year one looks like:

• Vision for Alliances: Develop a comprehensive alliance management strategy aligned with our overall business goals. Maximize milestone revenue from partners and deepen relationships over time.
• Alliance Maestro: Manage the entire alliance lifecycle, from contracting & deal execution to ongoing management and milestone achievement to product hand-over.
• Results Champion: Provide tangible, direct, value-added project management to alliance programs. Delivering for our partners is non-negotiable.
• Bridge Builder: Foster strong relationships with alliance partners at all levels, with clear communication and seamless collaboration.
• Startup Mind-set: Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, embracing the challenges and opportunities unique to a young, ambitious company.
• Deal Architect: We want to be clear - this is alliance management first and foremost.
• However, we anticipate some opportunity to source / evaluate / support new partnerships, especially expansion of existing relationships (80/20 split).

Responsibilities include:

• Main point of contact for external alliance partners
• Management of Joint Research Committees and other joint teams
• Coordinate with scientific team leads at both Ascidian and partner to create aligned, robust research plans that deliver on collaboration goals
• Plan and maintain budgets and resourcing
• Support R&D teams to execute the work & meet deliverable timelines
• Develop and manage external CRO contracts as relevant to the project
• Likely travel 1x/month incl. international

We're looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates a proven track record of success in alliance management or project management in biotech / pharmaceutical (5 years).
• Successfully navigates large company dynamics - as an employee, client, or partner - and can steer high performing, multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments.
• Expertise with a range of modern project management tools (e.g. SmartSheet, MS Project) and strong organizational skills for managing budgets, resourcing, and complex coordination is required.
• Possesses a deep understanding of deal structures, negotiation tactics, and alliance management best practices.
• Excels at building trust and rapport, fostering open communication across diverse teams and cultures.
• Has a strategic mindset, coupled with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Thrives in a dynamic environment, embracing calculated risks and rapid innovation. You will roll up your sleeves in this role, but direct experience in start-ups isn't required.
• Bachelor's Degree and MS or PhD in biology, chemistry, or similar lab science (or work experience equivalent) required.
• More than credentials, the key is a deep understanding of the discovery and preclinical drug development process and what really goes on in the lab.
• Gene therapy or RNA therapeutic experience is a plus.

Benefits:
We provide a vibrant startup environment where every employee contributes to our culture and science. We offer a generous total rewards plan that includes competitive compensation, stock options, and benefits. Our benefits include a top-tier health and wellness plan, commuter reimbursement or paid monthly parking, tuition or loan reimbursement, career development opportunities and so much more.
A final note - we highly encourage you to apply for our position, even if you are not sure you meet all the requirements. Everyone has unique talents, and at Ascidian, we look not only at your experience but your potential. We know that the best teams consist of diverse backgrounds, so please apply!