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About the Role

MaRS is seeking a Senior Manager, Life Sciences to support and accelerate the growth of high-potential biopharma startups. This individual will expand the life sciences community at MaRS by connecting startups, investors, pharma partners, and tenants. The ideal candidate has strong scientific literacy, ecosystem knowledge, commercial judgment, and a founder-oriented mindset, comfortable supporting early-stage startups and shaping ecosystem programming.

Responsibilities

Source and identify high-potential Canadian life sciences startups for engagement and support.
Build trusted relationships with founders and executive teams across the MaRS health portfolio.
Support investor readiness and business development preparation for startups.
Facilitate introductions to investors, pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and strategic partners.
Maintain active engagement with high-growth portfolio companies and emerging ventures.
Collaborate with MaRS Advisors to support company growth across scientific, operational, and financing challenges.
Design and adapt programs, workshops, and events tailored to early-stage life sciences startups.
Develop and maintain a national and global network of investors, family offices, and corporate/pharma business development stakeholders.
Proactively identify partnership/financing opportunities relevant to portfolio companies and facilitate high-value introductions.
Contribute to strengthening MaRS’ position within the Canadian and global life sciences ecosystem.
Contribute to sector insights, presentations, ecosystem reports, and thought leadership initiatives.
Support development of market trend analyses and ecosystem storytelling.
Represent MaRS at global biotech conferences, partnering meetings, investor events, and ecosystem convenings.
Build strategic relationships with key stakeholders.

Requirements

An advanced academic background (MSc, PhD, MBA, or comparable professional experience), ideally focused on life sciences or biotechnology.
6+ years of experience in biotechnology, venture capital, startup operations, consulting, business development, translational research, or innovation ecosystem development.
Strong understanding of biotech company formation, fundraising, and drug development.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with founders, investors, and industry stakeholders.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple companies and initiatives simultaneously.
High degree of intellectual curiosity, initiative, and adaptability.
Familiarity with pharmaceutical partnering, licensing, or business development processes.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Applicants must reside in Ontario.
Applicants must be willing to work out of our Toronto office (101 College Street) a minimum of 3 days per week.

Skills

Scientific literacy
Ecosystem knowledge
Relationship-building
Commercial judgment
Founder-oriented mindset
Investor readiness
Business development preparation
Stakeholder management
Organizational skills
Intellectual curiosity
Initiative
Adaptability
Pharmaceutical partnering
Licensing
Business development processes

Location

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Work Type

Hybrid
Full-time

Experience Level

Senior
6+ years of experience

Education Level

MSc
PhD
MBA
Comparable professional experience

Salary/Compensations

$100,000 - $110,000
Up to 10% discretionary incentive target

Benefits

GRSP
Extended healthcare benefits
Wellness spending account
Paid time-off

About the Company

MaRS Discovery District is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping high-growth technology companies succeed.
Focus on climate, health sciences, and other emerging technologies.
Supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.
MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in the innovation economy.

Equal Opportunity

We actively encourage all candidates to apply, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.
We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process.
Please reach out to careers@marsdd.com if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.