Portfolio Manager, Research and Investments

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research seeks a highly motivated and organized Portfolio Manager to coordinate and manage the Foundation’s portfolio of over 150 innovative cancer research projects, early-stage companies, and venture investment opportunities. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, and working closely with the Principal, Venture Investments, the successful candidate will be an experienced, detail-oriented portfolio/project manager who has worked cross-functionally with scientists and business development teams in academia and/or biopharmaceutical companies. The Portfolio Manager will be ready to apply those skills to advance multiple scientific programs within the Foundation from initial funding and through to patient impact, including commercialization initiatives.  This position represents an exciting opportunity to work with creative, motivated scientists and entrepreneurs both within and external to the Foundation, and to have a positive impact by managing the portfolio of projects that will enable discoveries, platforms, and therapies with the potential to transform the lives of cancer patients.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead portfolio management support for The Mark Foundation
  • Monitor progress of funded research projects and investments, and assess quantitative and qualitative measurements of impact over time
  • Proactively track opportunities for new commercial ventures emanating from research grants, including patent filings, licensing events, and company creation
  • Conduct landscape analyses to help prioritize new research and investment opportunities; help shape portfolio strategy
  • Implement and manage a database for tracking research grant deliverables and milestones, as well as investment opportunities and portfolio companies from initial contact through exit
  • Engage with external partners, including scientific investigators, entrepreneurs, project managers, and administrative personnel to initiate and maintain strong working relationships with the Foundation
  • Identify and address issues and work with Foundation staff and partner organizations to help implement solutions
  • Prepare and deliver communications to update Foundation staff, leadership, and Board of Directors
  • Create and communicate visualizations of research and investments portfolio status, progress, impact, and future state
  • Work with operations and finance staff to track spending across the portfolio and to plan budgeting
  • Travel as needed to meet with grantees and other foundation partners (anticipated travel less than 15%)

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field, PhD preferred; strong background in life sciences and/or oncology
  • 5+ years of project/portfolio management experience working in a biopharmaceutical company, academic setting (research or technology transfer), or nonprofit organization; will also prioritize experience in life sciences strategy consulting or as an equity analyst in the biopharma sector
  • Strong project management capabilities and organizational skills
  • Collaborative mindset – capable of working cross-functionally with all stakeholders and project teams to manage the portfolios
  • Experience managing a portfolio of researchers, research projects, or biotech companies
  • Experience with information systems such as databases and CRM
  • Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced, nimble organization, including tackling ambiguity with pragmatic solutions
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

About The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

Based in New York City, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that actively partners with scientists to accelerate research that will transform the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. We fulfill our mission by supporting groundbreaking science carried out by individual investigators, multi-disciplinary teams, and early-stage companies in the United States and across the globe. Recognizing the obstacles that prevent scientific advances from improving patient outcomes, we maintain a nimble, high-impact approach to funding basic and translational cancer research that bridges the gap between bench and bedside through grants and venture investments. Since our launch in 2017, we have awarded over $120 million in grants to more than 60 institutions in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe and invested over $10 million in companies developing breakthrough therapeutics and diagnostics for cancer.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and comprehensive workforce based on merit and experience. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophical beliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, genetic information, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristic that is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive compensation package with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Location

1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019

To Apply

Submit an application via our career portal. Please send questions about this position to careers@themarkfoundation.org.