Paving the future of cancer research requires creative and driven individuals who think differently about solutions to fundamental challenges blocking progress for cancer patients. Break Through Cancer (BTC) is a new type of foundation that empowers outstanding researchers and physicians to intercept, as well as find cures for the deadliest cancers by stimulating radical collaboration. BTC began in 2021 as a collaboration between five participating institutions (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center). Over the last five years, BTC-supported teams have grown to include scientists and clinicians from more than 15 institutions. Importantly, we aspire to create frameworks that make inter-institutional cancer research frictionless and impactful.

Focused on several of the deadliest cancers initially glioblastoma, acute myelogenous leukemia, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer, BTC-funded project teams are creating new approaches to revolutionize cancer interception, accelerating the pace of drug approval by bringing the worlds of preclinical and clinical science together to support learning in patients, incentivizing radical collaboration between academia and industry, and investing in software and technologies that will enhance data sharing and analysis between institutions.  

Break Through Cancer seeks an organized, experienced, relationship-oriented Assistant Director of Contracts to proactively manage the Foundation’s contracting activities. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Assistant Director will collaborate closely with the BTC Science and Development teams along with all of the Institutions and collaborators engaged in BTC related efforts. The position is based in Cambridge, MA. Employees are expected to be onsite for a minimum of three to four days per week. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as BTC’s contracting subject matter expert and primary point of accountability, operating with independence and decisiveness while partnering effectively across BTC, academic institutions, and collaborators (e.g., industry, biopharma, foundation partners, etc.) to advance agreements efficiently;
• Design, streamline and continuously improve contracting processes to accelerate the execution of all agreement types (e.g., Confidential Disclosure Agreements, Clinical Trial Agreements (both investigator-initiated and industry-initiated), research collaboration agreements, Data and Materials Transfer Agreements, Limited Collaboration Agreements, gift/grant agreements, etc.);
• Facilitate and coordinate negotiations to drive the timely completion of complex, multi-institutional agreements by proactively aligning stakeholders, resolving bottlenecks, breaking down communication barriers, and ensuring BTC-funded science moves forward with urgency;
• Partner with external legal counsel (as necessary) and institutional representatives to develop, refine, and standardize templated agreements that reduce negotiation friction and shorten time to execution;
• Work with members of Break Through Cancer’s Technology Review Committee (TRC), which consists of technology transfer, legal, sponsored research, clinical trials administrators, and other colleagues from the Participating Institutions) to review, negotiate, and finalize agreements with urgency so as to support the work of the TeamLabs; and lead two critical TRC working groups (Tech Transfer and Clinical Trials Contracting);
• Serve as BTC’s Compliance officer ensuring that the Foundation’s policies are upheld including the management and oversight of the annual Conflict of Interest (COI) processes 
• Collaborate closely with the Scientific Portfolio managers and Director of Strategic Alliances to manage all contracting functions across the funded TeamLabs, develop creative solutions, and ensure agreements advance in parallel with scientific milestones; 
• In partnership with the COO, establish and track clear turnaround time metrics for key agreement types, drive cross-institutional accountability and process improvements to measurably reduce time to execution; and 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Qualifications 

A minimum of five years of experience or equivalent; bachelor’s degree required, JD preferred; ability to anticipate, prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously; a proactive, relationship-based approach to problem solving; excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; accuracy and keen attention to detail; ability to function efficiently despite frequent interruptions and deadline pressures; discretion, tact, and ability to manage confidential information; ability to work independently and as part of a team. The ideal candidate will be flexible, comfortable with ambiguity, and have a strong interest in cancer research.

To apply for the Break Through Cancer Assistant Director of Contracts position, please submit a cover letter and CV to careers@breakthroughcancer.org.

Break Through Cancer is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  We treat our colleagues and applicants fairly and respectfully. We seek to employ people with skill and integrity and provide them with the means to develop professionally. We hire without regard to race, color, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability (including neurodiversity), genetic information, veteran status, and any other legally protected group, in accordance with applicable federal, state, or local law.