Assistant Alliance Manager, Corporate Alliances

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Assistant Alliance Manager, Corporate Alliances

Job Profile Title

Manager B, Business and Finance, Innovation

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Alliance Manager supports the Licensing Officers and broader Corporate Alliances team within Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) in the management of established strategic alliance relationships. The position supports activities related to intellectual property and research program management, transactional agreements, and overall alliance relationship management. The position reports to a Senior Associate Director of Licensing on the Corporate Alliances team. The Assistant Alliance Manager provides project management and coordination for Penn – alliance partner initiatives, tracking activities, deliverables, timelines, and resource needs and communicating progress to the PCI Alliances team and other Penn stakeholders, as appropriate. The position works across internal and external teams to facilitate timely execution of alliance related projects and ensure that relevant stakeholders have the information and resources necessary to meet program objectives. In close coordination with the Executive Director of Alliances, Licensing Officers, Corporate Alliances attorneys, and other Alliances team personnel, the Assistant Alliance Manager supports the negotiation, preparation, execution, and administration of certain third-party agreements necessary to fulfill Penn's obligations under active alliance programs. The position also assists with agreement management and close out activities across the portfolio of alliance program contracts. The Assistant Alliance Manager coordinates with PCI's Intellectual Property and Finance groups, alliance partners, and other third parties to maintain accurate documentation and records concerning intellectual property licensed or otherwise managed under active alliance programs. Responsibilities include facilitating updates to intellectual property portfolios and supporting the administration and resolution of patent billing, income allocation, and distribution matters associated with alliance programs. The position also serves as a resource for Penn faculty and staff regarding operational and administrative matters associated with alliance program agreements, helping to field inquiries, coordinate responses, and connect stakeholders with appropriate PCI personnel.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Assist the Associate Alliance Manager, Senior Alliance Manager, and/or Licensing Officer, as directed, with interactions with established alliance partners in the areas of  intellectual property management, research programs, transactional agreements and overall relationship management.  
• Assist with project management support of Penn-alliance partner initiatives, including reporting such initiatives out to PCI Alliances and other Penn stakeholders, as appropriate, to ensure initiatives are properly resourced and completed on time.
• In close coordination with Senior Associate Director-Alliances, and other colleagues in PCI’s Corporate Alliances group, negotiate certain third party agreements to meet Penn's obligations for active alliance programs, as assigned.  
• Assist the Associate and Senior Alliance Managers in coordinating with PCI's Intellectual Property group, PCI's Finance group, alliance partners and third parties to manage documentation and updating of intellectual property that is licensed under active alliance programs and to facilitate and help manage patent billing, income allocation and distribution matters related to alliance programs. 
• Assist the Associate and Senior Alliance Managers in addressing requests from Penn faculty and staff members related to alliance program agreements.
• Provide agreement and close-out support for all alliance program contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2-3 years of relevant work experience or combination or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Master's Degree and 1 to 2 years of experience in scientific or engineering discipline strongly preferred. Strong science background is highly preferred.
• Detail oriented and organized, with exceptional time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Experience managing people and projects, with the ability to multi-task.
• Project management and basic contract drafting experience is required.
• Practical / working knowledge of various database and project management systems is strongly preferred.
• Self-starter and proactive, but seeks direction when needed.
• Diplomatic, discreet and professional.

**Position contingent upon funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

$65,628.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

​

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay