Organizational Overview
Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer's, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. The ADDF’s leadership and contributions to the field have played a pivotal role in bringing the first Alzheimer’s PET scan (Amyvid™) and blood test (PrecivityAD™) to market, as well as fueling the current robust and diverse drug pipeline. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded nearly $250 million to fund over 720 Alzheimer's drug discovery programs, biomarker programs and clinical trials in 19 countries. To learn more, please visit: http://www.alzdiscovery.org/.
The path to approved Alzheimer's treatments starts with a better way to diagnose patients. Bill Gates and ADDF Co-Founder Leonard A. Lauder partnered to adopt a new approach that brings together philanthropic capital with a venture mindset to advance bold ideas for easier, more accurate, and earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Launched in July 2018, the Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) has mobilized commitments totaling $100 million from Bill Gates, Leonard A. Lauder, Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), Eli Lilly & Company, Biogen, the Shanahan Family Foundation, the Dolby family, the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, and others. The Diagnostics Accelerator focuses on translating the knowledge we have gained about the causes of Alzheimer's disease into biomarkers and diagnostics to enable precision medicine. Research funded to date focuses on various methods and targets including blood tests in various stages of development, as well as eye scans and digital tools.
Position Description
The Director, Fluid Biomarkers – Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA), will lead a team dedicated to advancing fluid biomarker programs. This individual will play a central role in identifying, evaluating, shaping, executing, and managing innovative investment opportunities across ADDF’s fluid diagnostics and biomarker pipeline.
The Director will work closely with ADDF leadership, philanthropic partners, diagnostic companies, academic institutions, and venture firms to drive scientific and strategic progress. The DxA team, in collaboration with our partners, engages broadly across the life sciences ecosystem to evaluate and manage high-impact investment opportunities.
Placement: This position reports to the Executive Director, Drug Development. This is a full-time exempt position. Candidates from out of state are welcome to apply. This role is positioned in L8 of ADDF’s salary structure. Anticipated salary: $191,500-$225,000.
Key Responsibilities
- Scientific evaluation & due diligence: Lead the review of proposed biomarker programs, coordinate internal and external assessments, provide feedback to applicants, assess risk, and present recommendations to ADDF and DxA leadership.
- Team leadership: Manage and mentor the biomarker team responsible for program identification, evaluation, and portfolio oversight.
- Partnerships & contracting: Collaborate with the Mission Related Investments (MRI) team to determine optimal contract structures and progress them through closure.
- Portfolio management: Oversee funded programs to ensure progress against milestones and timelines; engage with investigators to monitor progress, troubleshoot, and provide strategic input.
- Scientific awareness: Stay current on advancements in fluid biomarkers relevant to Alzheimer’s and integrate with digital diagnostic efforts.
- External engagement: Collaborate with the Development team to prepare donor proposals and reports; represent DxA at donor events, conferences, and media opportunities.
Qualifications
Education
- PhD, MD, or equivalent in neuroscience, molecular biology, biomarker science, or related field.
Experience
- 8+ years in biomarker assay development and implementation in drug development.
- Familiarity with assay development, analytical validation, and regulatory considerations for fluid biomarker assays and diagnostics.
- Practical experience in search & evaluation, business development, venture capital, technology transfer, or other partnering-focused professional experience.
Skills & Attributes
- Proven ability to drive projects to deliver timely results and meet commitments.
- Strong strategic, analytical, and planning skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to deliver under deadlines.
- Skilled at relationship-building and collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
- Comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to jobs@alzdiscovery.org, including “Director, Fluid Biomarkers” in the subject line. Only complete applications will be considered.
ADDF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people. We welcome and encourage applicants for all positions respecting the full spectrum of education, experience, age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status or other military status, or citizenship status, genetic carrier status, genetic information, AIDS or AIDS-related complex or HIV status, being a victim of domestic violence, protected activity (i.e., filing a charge of discrimination, participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing prohibited discrimination), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.