Director, Business Development

Summit Therapeutics • Palo Alto, CA

28d • $200,000 - $230,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Business Development plays a critical role in advancing the company’s external innovation strategy by identifying, evaluating, and supporting the execution of strategic partnerships or licensing opportunities. This leader works closely with the Department Head and cross-functional teams to drive company growth through external collaborations, to include joint clinical trials. The ideal candidate brings strong scientific & business acumen, transaction & alliance experience, R&D operational capabilities and the ability to navigate complex strategic landscapes with speed, rigor, and creativity. This is a hands-on, end-to-end experience role, where you’ll engage on strategy, searching and securing opportunities from a business development perspective, as well as operationalizing and contributing to the department’s maintenance of strategic alliances.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree required; Advanced degree preferred (MBA, Masters, etc.). Dual scientific and business background is a strong plus.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in biopharma, with consulting or pharma investment with a focus on business development, strategy, and alliances.
• Prior oncology drug experience in late-stage development and/or commercial stage required; strong understanding of oncology drug development, scientific platforms, and global commercial dynamics.
• Experience supporting or leading pharma or biotech drug development licensing, M&A, or strategic partnership processes required.
• Understanding or experience in collaboration kick-offs, joint clinical trial or project management to ensure successful contract implementation & relationship management.
• Proficient user of MS Office suite (e.g., PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Project), experience using electronic document management systems, document review tools and can quickly build presentations for leaders/teams.
• Excellent communicator in public-speaking, meeting facilitation and email communication
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding and diverse environment that includes global virtual meetings outside standard business hours.
• Ability to travel key congresses, collaboration meetings or business meetings, to include semi-frequent travel to hub office locations in Summit territories.
• Role is primarily office-based.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with technology tools (e.g. Smartsheets, MS Project) in planning, maintenance and communication of information is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Partner with R&D, Clinical, Commercial, Market Planning, Legal, and Finance teams to assess strategic fit, risks, and integration requirements for potential deals.
• Maintain a deep understanding of the oncology competitive landscape, emerging modalities, and deal trends to inform BD strategy and prioritization. Partner with internal experts and strategy team members to shape future scenarios and action plans.
• Evaluate external assets, platforms, and technologies aligned with the company’s oncology strategy and pipeline priorities. Ability to triangulate and prioritize opportunities.
• Support or lead deal processes including diligence, external communication with potential collaborators, coordinating contracting and related requirements, and preparation of executive materials.
• Contribute to collaboration alliance activities or clinical trial project oversight with partner, governance and performance tracking of key alliances, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and operational milestones.
• Prepare high-impact presentations and recommendations for the Department Head or executive leadership, translating complex data into actionable insights & plans. Ability to serve on joint committees and/or facilitate alliance working groups.
• Bring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to identifying whitespace opportunities and shaping external growth initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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