Managing Director, Therapeutics Discovery Institute

Department

BSD PAT - Oakes Lab

About the Department

The University of Chicago is one of the world's leading academic institutions and a founding member of the Association of American Universities. With 101 Nobel laureates and a top 15 national ranking, UChicago is known for bold inquiry and transformative impact. At the center of its medical enterprise are UChicago Medicine, the Biological Sciences Division, and the Pritzker School of Medicine—an integrated, interdisciplinary ecosystem advancing scientific discovery, clinical excellence, and medical education. Located on a shared campus in Hyde Park, these units offer a full therapeutic pipeline—from research labs to clinical trials to patient care—bringing breakthrough discoveries to patients.

Building on our multidisciplinary strengths across the biological, physical, and engineering sciences, UChicago is in the planning stages to launch a new Therapeutics Discovery Institute-a University-wide effort to accelerate drug discovery and development by creating a fully integrated ecosystem that translates groundbreaking discoveries into innovative therapeutics. A collaboration among the Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, the Therapeutics Discovery Institute will bring world-leading UChicago research out of the lab and into patients' lives in the form of more effective treatments for the most complex and challenging diseases.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Managing Director for the Therapeutics Discovery Institute who will play a pivotal role in launching the Institute. The successful candidate will be critical in the planning, design, fundraising, and execution of the vision for this new Institute. The Managing Director will serve as a pivotal leader within the Therapeutics Discovery Institute, reporting to the Faculty Executive Director, and entrusted with advancing both the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the Institute. This position integrates day-to-day organizational stewardship with long-term vision setting, ensuring the Institute's continued growth, impact, and alignment with the University's mission and evolving priorities.

Responsibilities

• Effectively collaborate with colleagues across the University and external advisors from industry and academia to refine and advance the Institute's strategic framework, including preparation of a five-year strategic plan and competitive benchmarking against leading academic and industry therapeutic discovery and development models.
• Work closely with faculty across the University to identify therapeutic projects, track ongoing research, and triage opportunities for development through the Institute.
• Identify and execute agreements with external partners to conduct research to further the development of the assets.
• Evaluate the University's program portfolio through coordination of expert panels to assess translational potential of UChicago projects.
• Align and coordinate the cross-functional/divisional resources to advance prioritized assets through IND-enabling preclinical and early clinical development.
• Partner with key organizational stakeholders including the Polsky Center, UChicago Corporate Engagement, and academic departments/divisions to ensure integrated planning and execution.
• Work closely with Divisional and University Development teams to build a philanthropic case and help present it to potential donors and partners.
• Design and implement organizational models, decision-making protocols, standard operating procedures and portfolio management processes that align stakeholders, resources, and objectives across departments and administrative units.
• Provide oversight for daily operations, including organization of a robust seminar program, budget management, financial forecasting, human resources, facilities, and core administrative processes.
• Partner with Divisional leadership, the Faculty Executive Director and with senior Institute leadership to determine the personnel, core facility, and laboratory space needs for the Institute.
• Support senior leadership in engagement with academic, corporate, and philanthropic partners to enhance visibility, collaboration, and sustainable funding for the Institute.
• Identifies operational goals and oversees allocation of resources to meet priorities. Ensures compliance of staff with organizational, University and other relevant policies and guidelines.
• Oversees the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals. Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

-

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD or equivalent degree in relevant field.

Experience:

• A minimum of fifteen years of experience on drug development in large pharma or biotech.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of success in managing and motivating staff with demonstrated strategic leadership skills in leading a large team.
• Experience in successfully managing budgets.
• Administrative experience in a complex matrixed hierarchical organization.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• At least ten years of leadership experience on drug development working in large pharma and/or biotech setting.
• Proven track record of developing, launching, and commercializing therapeutics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$135, $185,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the

Benefits Guidebook

.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the

University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call or submit a request via

Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:

. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.