We have an exciting opportunity for a Director, Business Development & Licensing – Search & Evaluation for Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Respiratory, and Metabolism for our European Hub based in Moorgate, London. The role is hybrid and requires presence onsite 2 days a week. The Search and Evaluation team is a core function within our company’s Global Business Development & Licensing organisation focused on identifying and evaluating external partnering opportunities that align with our company’s research & development and business development strategies. The team interacts with biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, venture firms, and other stakeholders to explore potential collaborations, licences or acquisitions. They are responsible for leading global search and evaluation efforts across the entire spectrum, from early‑stage discovery to late‑stage development or approved assets, and are accountable for leading scientific and technical due diligence.
As a key individual contributor and expert in European‑based business development within the specified therapeutic areas, you will lead search, evaluation, due diligence, and execution of business development opportunities across Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Vaccines, Respiratory, and Metabolism.
What You Will Do
- Identify, evaluate, and execute business development opportunities with a focus on cutting‑edge science across all stages of development and modalities to enhance and expand our pipeline.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to analyse, review, and gain internal support for business development opportunities.
- Lead deep scientific due diligence, oversee the quality of formal due diligence output, and integrate internal subject‑matter expert input and senior management review and approval.
- Work closely with transaction leads, legal, commercial, and financial analysis teams to ensure relevant deals of highest priority are being advanced and executed.
- Contribute to business development strategy in Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Vaccines, Respiratory, and Metabolism with discovery and clinical development leadership.
- Collaborate with preclinical, clinical, and commercial teams, and corporate business development colleagues to ensure alignment between activities and business development needs relating to the pipeline.
- Work closely with search and evaluation colleagues across the company’s business development & licensing team to ensure comprehensive coverage of the relevant opportunity space.
- Provide thorough and timely assessments and updates to appropriate management levels to ensure efficient communication and seamless cross‑functional collaboration.
- Manage a portfolio of complex business development projects, serving as the primary scientific contact for potential licensing deals, acquisitions, collaborations, co‑development partnerships, and strategic alliances.
Education
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in a life sciences field is required, preferably in one of the therapeutic areas for this role.
Required Experience
- Substantial experience within the biopharmaceutical industry or related roles, including management consulting, equity research, university technology transfer, etc., with preferred experience in a Search & Evaluation business development role.
- Preferred experience in identifying, evaluating, and executing business development deals and partnerships that have resulted in substantial impact.
- Comprehensive understanding of drug discovery and development and a broad knowledge of the biopharmaceutical industry and the specified therapeutic areas.
- Thorough understanding of biopharmaceutical industry trends and competitive landscape with strong business acumen and ability to translate scientific and technical information to frame attractive business opportunities.
Skills & Competencies
- Desire and proven ability to have an impact; energetic self‑starter with strong work ethic.
- Experience with cross‑functional leadership and collaboration, demonstrated conflict resolution, time‑critical project management, negotiation skills, and ability to build effective coalitions to move deals forward.
- Demonstrated ability to forge relationships and work in a hands‑on collaborative fashion with many disciplines inside and outside the company.
- Ability to function autonomously, drive strategic decisions, and execute deals from sourcing to close.
- Comfortable in high‑visibility situations, capable of demonstrating executive presence, and gaining trust and respect of research and development colleagues.
- Strong presentation and communication skills, and ability to influence and work with varied audiences including colleagues, scientific and technical leaders, financial institutions, pharmaceutical and business partners, collaborators, and senior executives.
- Highly developed organisational and operational skills, and ability to understand the content of and memorialise interactions with potential partners.
- Ability to multi‑task while ensuring consistent attention and prioritisation of the most critical projects.
- Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and proven ability to work well on teams.
Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, and skill of our team. We have an inclusive culture of respect, encouragement, and teamwork. Members of our global team have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing their own careers.
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