Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Commerce is the economic catalyst for the City of Philadelphia helping all businesses thrive. Commerce creates equitable wealth building opportunities through strategic investments and ecosystem partnerships to grow quality jobs, build capacity in under-resourced communities, and make it easier to operate a successful business in Philadelphia.

Strategic Priorities:

• Provide trusted guidance and a simplified process to establish, grow, and operate a business

• Drive equitable neighborhood revitalization that contributes to vibrant commercial corridors

• Attract and retain businesses through business resources and strategic investments

• Connect talent to growth industries and to jobs that pay family-sustaining wages

• Strive to build wealth in communities of color through more equitable access to capital and contracting opportunities

• Leverage economic research to drive policy and strategy

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director of Business Development - Life Sciences & Biotechnology, is responsible for a portfolio of specific life science focused projects within the business development function. The Director is expected to establish and execute attraction and retention strategies within the life science and biotechnology sector. The Director will also collaborate with our economic development partners on strategic initiatives to grow and support Philadelphia life sciences. In addition to business development initiatives, the following is a sampling of responsibilities the Director will be expected to perform:

• Managing a pipeline of new attraction and retention business leads, focusing on the biotechnology industry; documenting progress in our Project CRM database
• Responding to new leads in a timely manner and pursuing new leads independently
• Serve as a leader in coordination with other economic development partners to position Philadelphia as a driving force in creating opportunities for diverse communities in the life sciences ecosystem
• Foster and grow relationships with key companies in the life sciences community to support Philadelphia’s prominence in the local and regional ecosystem
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships with local startup and life science affinity groups, venture capital investors, incubators, co-working spaces, etc.
• Maintain working knowledge of industry trends, targeted business assistance opportunities, and financing/incentive programs appropriate to service the life sciences sector
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of Philadelphia life sciences real estate pipeline with a special focus on GMP space
• Collaborate with the International Business Team to bring international life science companies to Philadelphia
• Work collaboratively with state government and local stakeholders to develop new programs and incentives to grow the industry in Philadelphia
• Assist with convening a life sciences Advisory Group to meet regularly and inform the City’s strategy in this sector
• Collaborating with Commerce’s Communications Team to coordinate the promotion of life Science initiatives, programming, and marketing efforts of the department
• Represent the Department of Commerce at various trade shows, speaking engagements, special events, and other duties as assigned

Essential Functions

• Research prospects to determine suitable opportunities for the Philadelphia market
• Help serve as the public face of the Philadelphia Biotech industry
• Serve a liaison to partners in the life sciences community
• Manage life science initiative programming, providing oversite of deliverables and budget
• When required, craft attraction letters, articulate incentives on a case-by-case scenario
• Assist the leadership of the Business Development team as needed, working collaboratively with all members of the Commerce Department
• Meet with existing and prospective businesses to review ideas and concepts for business development
• Assist existing businesses with city processes and access to resources to strengthen retention and expansion efforts
• Draft talking points, statements, and hold guide design/language on presentation decks and other collateral as needed
• Conduct research, identify opportunities for business attraction and retention efforts in the life sciences sector

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written, and computer communication skills are essential
• Great interpersonal skills and a proven record of relationship building
• Ability to respond to inquiries in a timely manner, articulating guidance on projects
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products; MS Word, PowerPoint, and Client Management software essential
• Strong time management and organizational skills, including attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and keep multiple projects moving simultaneously
• Diplomacy and the ability to facilitate problem resolution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required, Graduate degree in business or related field preferred
• Management of projects from initiation to completion with documented outcomes
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience working within the life sciences ecosystem
• 5+ years of experience in economic development

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $75,000 - $80,000 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx