Senior Director, Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, Co.Lab

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Senior Director, Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, Co.Lab

The Bayer Co.Lab stands as a pivotal element in our pharmaceutical innovation strategy, serving as an incubation hub for groundbreaking startups and a collaborative platform for diverse stakeholders across academia, biotech, and the investment community. Our mission is to establish Bayer as the “Partner of Choice” while embodying our commitment to “Collaborate to Cure.” Success in this endeavor is quantified through two key performance indicators (KPIs): advancing early-stage startups to a stage where they are ready for partnership or collaboration, and ensuring the program’s seamless integration within the Greater Boston ecosystem.

The Senior Director of Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, reporting to the Head of Co.Lab Cambridge, plays a crucial role in driving portfolio maturation, operational excellence, and strategic growth. This position encompasses both internal and external responsibilities, including supporting day-to-day operations, contributing to the development of a world-class R&D portfolio aligned with Bayer's strategic objectives, and fostering essential relationships with local academic and biotech organizations to enhance collaboration and program satisfaction.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Senior Director, Portfolio Development and Partnerships Operations, are to:

Co.Lab Portfolio Management and Development - Support the Site Head in the management of the full portfolio lifecycle-from candidate screening and selection to progress assessment and internal reporting.

• Coordinate due diligence for prospective Co.Lab candidates by engaging relevant internal subject matter experts (SMEs).
• Assess and prioritize portfolio companies in collaboration with the Site Head for portfolio planning purposes.
• Develop and maintain portfolio materials (e.g., company one-pagers, Co.Lab AdVise progress reports) in alignment with global Co.Lab standards.
• Lead value-add initiatives such as the Co.Lab AdVise mentorship program, facilitating connections to internal experts and tracking key outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in DealCloud, including consolidated meeting minutes.
• Collaborate with the Site Head and Innovation & Ecosystem Activations Director to align external activation efforts with Therapeutic Area (TA) and Platform team mandates, targeting high-potential future Co.Lab companies.
• Build and maintain strong "key account manager-client" relationships with Co.Lab portfolio companies, ensuring a positive scientific community standing and a high-quality resident experience.

Operations & Stakeholder Management - Liaise with the global Bayer Co.Lab team and operational partner LabCentral to ensure seamless program execution.

• Participate in global Co.Lab meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Champion best-practice sharing across the global Co.Lab network to drive consistency and impact.
• Serve as relationship manager for portfolio companies and program sponsors, maintaining high levels of satisfaction and engagement.
• Manage program reporting, maintain internal databases (e.g., DealCloud), and contribute to communications across the Co.Lab website, LinkedIn, and global leadership updates.

Ecosystem Engagement & Partnership Development - Lead the design and execution at local and regional ecosystem engagement strategy that strengthens community presence, elevates Bayer's reputation, grows Co.Lab revenues, and sources future portfolio companies.

• Build and manage strategic sponsor relationships (service providers, biotech, healthcare, and academia) to secure $500k+ in annual program sponsorships.
• Evaluate CROs, lab equipment providers, and service vendors as potential in-cash sponsors or equipment contributors.
• Identify and structure mutually beneficial partnership opportunities that drive sponsor satisfaction.
• Maintain current records of sponsor offerings and startup deal terms.
• Support the execution of strategic events-workshops, networking sessions, and showcases-in collaboration with partners such as LabCentral to strengthen Bayer's ecosystem presence.

Site Representation & Delegation Hosting - Represent the Bayer Co.Lab program at internal and external events, communicating key messages aligned with the Head of Co.Lab Cambridge.

• Lead site tours for Bayer stakeholders, prospective partners, and visiting delegations.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field;
• Domain Expertise: Demonstrated track record in portfolio strategy, corporate development, or alliance management with a focus on early-stage startup lifecycles.
• Scientific & Clinical Acumen: Ability to evaluate early-stage biotech assets for actionability and translate findings into clinical development opportunities.
• Operational Excellence: Proficiency in CRM platforms such as DealCloud or Salesforce for managing startup data and reporting at scale.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate partnerships and lead programs such as Co.Lab AdVise.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, matrixed, global organization with a test-and-learn mindset

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD, MD, or MBA;
• 5-10 years of progressive Industry experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals;
• Minimum 2-3 years in customer-facing or relationship management roles (e.g., academic institutions, VCs, or internal R&D sponsors).

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $212,880.00 - $319,320.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.

This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

This posting will be available for application until at least 05/18/2026.

YOUR APPLICATION
Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, we encourage you to apply now. Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer.
To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.


Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans


Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Notice for U.S. Visitors: All information on this site is subject to compliance with local rule and regulations as they may vary from time to time and across different geographies, including, without limitation, U.S. Executive Orders. Bayer is an E-Verify Employer. Location: United States : Massachusetts : Cambridge Division: Pharmaceuticals Reference Code: 867083 Contact Us Email: [email protected]