Associate Business Development Director

Neurocrine Biosciences • San Diego, CA

2d • $173,900 - $238,000

About The Position

Leads business development activities focused on identifying, evaluating, and advancing licensing opportunities, strategic partnerships, and other transactions in the biopharmaceutical space. Independently drives search and evaluation, scientific and commercial assessment, due diligence, valuation, business case development, and deal execution for complex opportunities. Integrates scientific, clinical, commercial, intellectual property, financial, and legal considerations to develop recommendations and influence decision-making. Serves as a key cross-functional leader for business development initiatives, builds productive relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, and provides advice and counsel to senior leadership on opportunities that may impact pipeline and business strategy.

Neurocrine Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, and immunological disorders. Its portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments and a pipeline of compounds in clinical development.

Requirements

• A BS/BA degree in life sciences, finance, business, or a similar field and 10+ years of applicable experience in business development, venture capital, investment research, investment banking, corporate development, or a related area; biotechnology/pharmaceutical scientific experience preferred; or a master’s degree in a scientific field and 8+ years of similar applicable experience; or a PharmD or PhD in an applicable field and 6+ years of similar applicable experience.
• A strong deal sheet describing transactions of various sizes and complexity, level of involvement, and scope of responsibilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in search and evaluation of preclinical and clinical-stage assets and platforms across relevant therapeutic areas and modalities.
• Significant experience in biotechnology/pharmaceutical business development, search and evaluation, corporate development, venture capital, investment research, investment banking, or a related function.
• Strong scientific acumen and ability to identify key differentiation, risks, and value drivers for potential partner programs, assets, and platforms.
• Strong understanding of the biotechnology/pharmaceutical competitive landscape, drug development process, regulatory approval pathways, and key value inflection points.
• Demonstrated experience leading or materially contributing to due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, contracting, and negotiation for business development transactions.
• Ability to integrate business objectives and strategic direction into recommendations on complex opportunities and critical external relationships.
• Excellent project leadership and project management skills, including ability to lead multiple complex initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Strong business judgment and ability to integrate scientific, commercial, financial, intellectual property, and legal considerations into business development recommendations.
• Advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills, including ability to assess complex and ambiguous information and develop practical, well-supported recommendations.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, including ability to communicate complex concepts and gain alignment across functions and with senior leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with ability to tailor communications to executive, technical, and external audiences.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, prioritize competing demands, and deliver with accuracy, urgency, and follow-through.
• Ability to build productive internal and external relationships and collaborate effectively across functions.
• Proficiency with tools used to support business development analysis, presentations, project management, and transaction execution.

Nice To Haves

• Biotechnology/pharmaceutical scientific experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads complex business development transactions and strategic partnering initiatives from initial identification and evaluation through diligence, negotiation, contracting, execution, and transition, as applicable.
• Independently identifies and evaluates external assets, technologies, platforms, and companies that align with the Company’s strategic priorities and pipeline objectives.
• Leads cross-functional internal and external teams supporting business development opportunities, establishing workplans, decision points, timelines, and deliverables.
• Directs scientific, clinical, commercial, intellectual property, financial, and operational due diligence with subject matter experts; synthesizes findings into recommendations for senior leadership.
• Leads valuation analyses and business case development for potential transactions, integrating scientific risk, development assumptions, market opportunity, competitive dynamics, and deal economics.
• Develops transaction strategy and leads or significantly contributes to deal structuring, term sheet development, contract review, and negotiations in collaboration with Legal, IP, Finance, and other partners.
• Provides strategic recommendations on prioritizing and advancing business development opportunities based on Company strategy, portfolio needs, and external market dynamics.
• Maintains knowledge of industry trends, companies, therapeutic areas, emerging technologies, treatment modalities, and competitive landscapes relevant to the Company.
• Partners with Research and Development and other functions to define strategic interests and translate internal priorities into external search and evaluation activities.
• Builds and maintains relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, investors, bankers, advisors, and other external partners.
• Represents the Company in partnering meetings and conferences and develops presentations, proposals, and decision materials for internal and external audiences.
• Provides functional expertise and mentorship to less-experienced colleagues and may lead critical projects or workstreams without direct people-management responsibility.
• Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of Business Development processes, tools, best practices, and team infrastructure.
• Ensures interactions and activities comply with internal policies, governmental regulations, and applicable best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual bonus with a target of 30% of earned base salary.
• Eligibility to participate in an equity-based long-term incentive program.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior