Director Search & Evaluation, Neuroscience

Biogen•Cambridge, MA

3d•$196,000 - $270,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Corporate Development leads the establishment of Biogen’s corporate strategy and is responsible for the identification, assessment and negotiation of external opportunities to augment Biogen’s pipeline, as well as integration of acquired companies and management of relationships with Biogen’s partners. The Search & Evaluation Director for Neuroscience will be contributing to the search and evaluation process to proactively identify and scientifically/technically evaluate external growth opportunities for inbound partnering (e.g., collaborations, licensing, and M&A). In addition to playing an important role in expanding Biogen's pipeline, the Search and Evaluation Director will have the opportunity to contribute to identifying and defining Biogen's strategy in Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases.

Requirements

PhD in the life sciences or related field (e.g. molecular biology, neuroscience drug discovery/development) or MD with clinical development experience
Detailed understanding of the pharmaceutical drug discovery/development process, with 12+ years in pre-clinical development, clinical development, and/or search & evaluation experience
Track-record of experience in the Neuroscience or Rare Disease therapeutic areas
Expertise in Neuroscience or Rare Disease therapeutic areas and multiple modalities
Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems
Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, matrixed work environment
Excellent communication skills
Broad knowledge of drug development and key disciplines (R&D). Comprehensive experience of cross functional project leadership
Experience driving alignment with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Research, Development, Manufacturing, Medical, Regulatory, etc.) to bring sound evaluations and external opportunity recommendations forward to senior management
Experience presenting proposals of notable risk and complexity to senior management

Responsibilities

Work closely with Corporate Strategy and R&D Leadership to clearly understand the external business strategy and search priorities within Neuroscience therapeutic areas
Proactively identify and scientifically/technically evaluate external growth opportunities for inbound partnering/acquisition in new Neuroscience therapeutic areas
Proactively survey the emerging scientific and technological competitive landscape in Neuroscience therapeutic areas
Benchmark new opportunities and propose prioritization of opportunities within Neuroscience therapeutic areas for further evaluation
Develop assessment, scenarios, prosecution rationales, and recommendations for external opportunities
Lead focused cross-functional teams in the early evaluation of opportunities with focus on the scientific and technical merit to advance (or exclude) opportunities. Integrate data sets with an interdisciplinary perspective
Lead scientific and clinical cross-functional due diligence deal teams to advance external opportunities of notable risk and complexity to term sheet. Develop the strategy for project execution
Build key networks, both internally and externally, to survey proactively the emerging scientific and technological competitive landscape in Neuroscience therapeutic areas of strategic interest, including pre-clinical, near-clinical (pre-IND/CTA), and clinical development programs
Scout new external opportunities by contributing to systematic screens, attending conferences, participating in scientific/clinical congresses, and maintaining a strong network in the scientific/clinical and the biotech/pharma/VC community
Create written summaries of evaluations in the form of memos and visual presentations and leads the deal team into governance discussions with senior leadership that frame the scientific and strategic importance of proposed opportunities
Work collaboratively with the Transactional lead during negotiation of term sheets and definitive agreement
Serve as the internal lead in both preparation and presentation of business case and other briefing materials for senior management and internal governance bodies, with support from functions across the business

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
80 hours of sick time per calendar year
Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
Employee stock purchase plan
Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
Employee Resource Groups participation