CARB-X Assistant Director of External Affairs

CARB-X Assistant Director of External Affairs

The Assistant Director of External Affairs will play a pivotal role in strengthening CARB-X's financial sustainability and elevating its partnerships and impact across the global antimicrobial innovation ecosystem. Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, this position offers the opportunity to help shape and execute CARB-X's engagement strategy with funders, policy-makers and innovation partners worldwide. In this highly collaborative role, the Assistant Director will lead day-to-day relationship management, develop compelling grant proposals, generate high-quality strategic research, and represent CARB-X in external engagements. The Assistant Director will also support senior colleagues in high-level meetings and events. We seek a talented professional with a strong understanding of, and passion for, resource mobilization in science, global health, or biomedical innovation. Familiarity with the pharmaceutical R&D landscape or policies and interventions related to global health and antimicrobial resistance is a plus. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to translate complex scientific and strategic concepts into clear, compelling narratives.

Essential functions include:

Manage day-to-day relationships with current and prospective funders

Coordinate internally to ensure that funder expectations are understood and integrated across CARB-X teams. Work closely with Boston University's Sponsored Programs and other internal teams to draft funding proposals and negotiate grant agreements. Map funder priorities, funding cycles, and decision-making processes to inform engagement planning and proposal timing. Use internal and external data to show CARB-X's impact and strengthen the case for additional funding in the early stages of AMR product development. Provide strategic advice to colleagues across CARB-X on funder engagement and external positioning.

Manage day-to-day relationships with policy-makers and key stakeholders

Customize engagement tactics for each partner. Ensure regular documentation and internal sharing of insights from stakeholder interactions to inform future engagement strategies. Collaborate with other teams to provide CARB-X's technical expertise to policy-makers and relevant partners. Support efforts to strengthen CARB-X's convening role within the AMR and global health space.

Keep abreast of policy developments in AMR and global health R&D

Analyze news, reports and studies to identify and share emerging trends. Engage in forward-thinking analysis to anticipate shifts in the AMR and global health landscape. Deliver stakeholder mapping and power analysis, identifying influence, interests, and alignment with CARB-X goals. Refine CARB-X's narrative based on these policy developments and emerging trends.

Support preparation of speaking notes, background briefs, and key messages for senior leadership ahead of external engagements.

Act as a representative of CARB-X at global health forums and conferences. Participate in roundtables and events with funders and policy-makers, advocating for the organization's mission. Coordinate with external organizations about crucial narratives and messages.

Required Skills

• 8+ years of experience demonstrating strong fundraising capability and relationship cultivation.
• A track record of drafting proposals and securing funding for global health and/or global development initiatives.
• Familiarity with the global health funding landscape, particularly in R&D and antimicrobial resistance.
• Proven ability to build partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong research skills, with the ability to translate policy trends and developments into actionable insights.
• Analytical proficiency, including the capacity to review data and reports and distill essential information for colleagues.
• Experience preparing leaders for high level engagements, ensuring that meetings are well-structured and follow-up actions are documented and clear.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, fostering trust and collaboration across teams and partners.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication, capable of conveying complex ideas with clarity and precision.
• Experience working in multicultural environments, with sensitivity to global health inequities.
• Willingness to travel, averaging 2-4 days per month.

Preferred Skills:

• A well-established network within global health, pharmaceutical, or antimicrobial resistance communities.
• Experience coordinating or managing grants and reporting obligations.
• Proficiency in additional languages beyond English.
• Skill in artificial intelligence tools to enhance the impact of external relations efforts.

Core Values

Beyond technical expertise, we are looking for someone who embodies CARB-X's values and contributes positively to our culture:

• Collaboration
• Humility
• Integrity
• Excellence

The position can be entirely virtual but must be able to work (at least partially) in ET and CET time zones.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.