Associate Business Development Director
About The Position
The Associate Business Development Director leads business development activities focused on identifying, evaluating, and advancing licensing opportunities, strategic partnerships, and other transactions in the biopharmaceutical industry. The role independently drives search and evaluation, scientific and commercial assessment, due diligence, valuation, business case development, and deal execution for complex opportunities. It integrates scientific, clinical, commercial, intellectual property, financial, and legal considerations to develop recommendations and influence decisions. The position serves as a key cross-functional leader, builds productive relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, and advises senior leadership on opportunities that may affect the pipeline and business strategy. The role leads transactions and strategic partnering initiatives from identification and evaluation through diligence, negotiation, contracting, execution, and transition. It directs cross-functional teams and diligence efforts, develops valuations and transaction strategies, and represents the company in partnering meetings and conferences. It also contributes to business development processes and tools, mentors less-experienced colleagues, and ensures activities comply with internal policies, regulations, and applicable best practices.
Requirements
- BS/BA in life sciences, finance, business, or a similar field and 10 or more 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 scientific master's degree and 8 or more years of similar applicable experience; or a PharmD or applicable PhD and 6 or more years of similar applicable experience.
- A strong deal sheet describing transactions of varying size and complexity, including the candidate’s 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 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 the 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 accurately, urgently, and with follow-through.
- Ability to build productive internal and external relationships and collaborate effectively across functions.
- Proficiency with tools used for business development analysis, presentations, project management, and transaction execution.
Nice To Haves
- Biotechnology/pharmaceutical scientific experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex business development transactions and strategic partnering initiatives from identification and evaluation through diligence, negotiation, contracting, execution, and transition, as applicable.
- Identify and evaluate external assets, technologies, platforms, and companies aligned with company priorities and pipeline objectives.
- Lead cross-functional internal and external teams, establishing workplans, decision points, timelines, and deliverables.
- Direct scientific, clinical, commercial, intellectual property, financial, and operational due diligence with subject matter experts, and synthesize findings into recommendations for senior leadership.
- Lead valuation analyses and business case development, integrating scientific risk, development assumptions, market opportunity, competitive dynamics, and deal economics.
- Develop transaction strategies and lead or significantly contribute to deal structuring, term sheet development, contract review, and negotiations with Legal, IP, Finance, and other partners.
- Recommend prioritization and advancement of opportunities based on company strategy, portfolio needs, and external market dynamics.
- Maintain knowledge of industry trends, companies, therapeutic areas, emerging technologies, treatment modalities, and competitive landscapes relevant to the company.
- Partner with Research and Development and other functions to define strategic interests and translate internal priorities into external search and evaluation activities.
- Build and maintain relationships with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, investors, bankers, advisors, and other external partners.
- Represent the company in partnering meetings and conferences, and develop presentations, proposals, and decision materials for internal and external audiences.
- Provide functional expertise and mentorship to less-experienced colleagues and potentially lead critical projects or workstreams without direct people-management responsibility.
- Contribute to development and continuous improvement of Business Development processes, tools, best practices, and team infrastructure.
- Ensure interactions and activities comply with internal policies, governmental regulations, and applicable best practices.
- Perform 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
