BIOCROSSROADS OVERVIEW:
BioCrossroads’ vision is that Indiana will be recognized as the global leader in Life Sciences and Healthcare. An initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), BioCrossroads is focused on achieving its vision through a mission to accelerate, promote and grow Indiana’s Life Sciences and Healthcare economy and to help maximize Indiana’s potential to positively impact human health by leading innovative collaborations between industry, academic and public sector partners.
JOB OVERVIEW:
The Director of Innovation Programs will work closely with the Senior Director of Innovation to drive the development and execution of strategies that advance Indiana’s life sciences sector and support BioCrossroads’ mission to drive growth and innovation. Indiana’s life sciences industry contributes $99 billion annually to the state economy and employs 70,000 Hoosiers at more than 3,200 establishments, making it one of the nation’s top-tier states for life sciences.
As a Regional Tech Hub designated through Heartland BioWorks, Indiana is poised to address key challenges and opportunities within the sector. Heartland BioWorks – BioLaunch is focused on fostering an innovation ecosystem that supports biomanufacturing, scales promising life sciences discoveries, and align investments, technology development, and commercialization. This role will be instrumental in helping BioCrossroads and its partners realize these goals. The Director of Innovation Programs will play a key role in overseeing strategic initiatives, starting and managing programs that support Indiana’s life sciences innovation ecosystem, and coordinating data and resources to ensure alignment with the state’s economic and innovation priorities.
This position will support the Senior Director of Innovation in collaborating with stakeholders across public, private, philanthropic, nonprofit, and academic sectors to execute initiatives and strategies that positively impact human health and strengthen Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide operational support for BioCrossroads-led initiatives, such as the AXIS Mentoring Program and BioLaunch. Responsibilities include managing program logistics, facilitating mentor/mentee connections, supporting team formation, monitoring engagement and progress, and contributing to the strategic scaling of these programs.
- Assist in the development and own the ongoing maintenance of ecosystem navigation and building tools, including a resource map and a database of scientific and business founders—to support entrepreneurs and connect them with relevant programs, funding opportunities, and ecosystem partners across Indiana’s life sciences sector.
- Coordinate efforts to promote innovation and intellectual property emerging from Indiana’s four R1 universities and medical school, helping to identify, surface, and highlight high-potential translational research and commercialization opportunities.
- Assist in the planning and execution of innovation-focused events and programming that strengthen and showcase Indiana’s life sciences innovation community.
- Track and manage data across key innovation initiatives, ensuring accurate reporting on goals, milestones, and project outcomes. Provide regular updates to the Senior Director of Innovation and ecosystem stakeholders.
- Monitor and stay informed on emerging trends and opportunities in biotechnology and life sciences innovation to support strategy and program development and alignment.
- Support broader innovation team efforts and perform additional duties as needed to help achieve organizational goals.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, public health, or a related field required. Advanced degree strongly preferred.
- 4+ years of experience in program coordination, innovation ecosystems, university technology transfer, or life sciences entrepreneurship support.
- Experience working with academic, industry, and/or nonprofit partners in a collaborative setting.
- Familiarity with innovation ecosystems and the life sciences sector strongly preferred
- Strong project management skills with proven ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver multiple initiatives on time.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
- Able to take initiative, multi-task, and perform well under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
- Agile and adaptable, with a willingness to adjust to shifting priorities, timelines, and demands.
- Collaborative and inclusive, with experience working across diverse stakeholder groups in both independent and team-based environments.
- Professional, self-driven, and goal-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable managing project-related data and reporting tools.
COMPETITIVE BENEFITS:
- 100% of your healthcare and dental premiums are paid for individual and family.
- Pre-tax & Roth 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous match: 5% contributed by the employer regardless of employee contribution and up to an additional 5% employee voluntary contribution eligible to be matched by the employer.
- Company-paid group life benefits as well as company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including 17 holidays.
- Office location and facilities at 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis – Hybrid schedule
EEO STATEMENT:
CICP grants equal opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, national origin, military service obligations, veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by law. CICP provides equal opportunity in wages, promotions, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.
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