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 

Bayer Co.Lab is a key part of Bayer’s pharmaceutical innovation strategy. It serves as both an incubation hub for promising startups and a collaborative platform connecting Bayer with academia, biotech, and the investment community.

Our goal is to identify and grow Boston’s most promising innovations, make Bayer the partner of choice for early innovation, and strengthen Co.Lab’s presence in the Greater Boston life sciences ecosystem.

The Senior Director, Strategic Portfolio Operations will play a central role in advancing the Co.Lab portfolio: This role supports the Site Head in building internal sponsorship, managing portfolio development, and maintaining operational systems, while also strengthening external relationships across academia, biotech, healthcare organizations, and service providers.

This is role for someone who can assess early-stage innovation, manage programs and processes, and build trusted relationships across internal and external stakeholders.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Senior Director, Strategic Portfolio Operations, are to: 

Co.Lab Portfolio Management and Development - Support the Site Head in managing the Co.Lab portfolio across the full lifecycle, from candidate evaluation to portfolio progress tracking and internal reporting.

• Help evaluate new technologies and companies for potential Co.Lab opportunities, and coordinate due diligence with internal experts.
• Lead value-add initiatives such as the Co.Lab AdVise mentorship program, facilitating connections to internal experts and tracking key outcomes.
• Develop and maintain portfolio materials, including company summaries and progress reports.
• 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.

Ecosystem Engagement & Partnership Development - In alignment with the Site Head, Therapeutic Area teams, and Platform teams, support local and regional ecosystem engagement to expand Bayer Co.Lab’s presence, strengthen partnerships, grow revenue, and identify future portfolio companies.

• Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with key external stakeholders—including academic institutions, biotech companies, service providers, and healthcare organizations—as program in-cash sponsors.
• Support the execution of strategic events—workshops, networking sessions, and showcases—in collaboration with partners such as LabCentral to strengthen Bayer's ecosystem presence.

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

• Build and manage strong relationships with the global Co.Lab team and local operating partner, including participation in global meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Manage program reporting, maintain internal databases (e.g., DealCloud), and contribute to communications across the Co.Lab website, LinkedIn, and global leadership updates.

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.

WHO YOU ARE

Your success will be driven by your demonstration of our LIFE values.  More specifically related to this position, Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field;
• Scientific & Clinical Acumen: Demonstrated ability to evaluate early-stage biotech assets and identify clinical development opportunities in one or more therapeutic areas relevant to Bayer, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, nephrology, and immunology.
• Domain Expertise: Demonstrated track record in portfolio strategy, corporate development, or alliance management with a focus on early-stage startup lifecycles.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate partnerships and lead programs such as Co.Lab AdVise.
• Operational Excellence: Proficiency in CRM platforms such as DealCloud or Salesforce for managing startup data and reporting at scale.
• 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, S&E, VCs, alliance management 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 09/11/2026.

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.