Head R&D Strategy & Business Development – Vaccines and Immune Therapies (V&I)

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

20h • $270,221 - $405,332

About The Position

Overview: The Head R&D Strategy & Business Development will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Therapy Area strategy and component Disease Area Strategies for AstraZeneca’s Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit. The role also leads R&D search & evaluation, licensing, and alliance and partnering efforts aligned with strategy. The role reports to the SVP, Vaccines and Immune Therapies Unit and works closely with the V&I Therapy Area Leadership Team (TALT). This role is pivotal to our mission of developing cutting-edge vaccines and therapies that address significant unmet health needs.

Requirements

• BA/BS in Business, Medical or Life sciences is required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in the therapy area.
• Proven scientific credibility, with an extensive background in vaccine and immune therapy development and commercialization.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with demonstrable experience in driving innovative business development strategies that impact product delivery.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex strategies effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain successful partnerships, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Resourceful, motivated, and proactive; adept at prioritizing in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent negotiation skills and a proven ability to motivate and influence teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a consultative approach to building relationships and trust.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in life sciences related areas or MD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the development and execution of the Therapy Area Strategy and component Disease Area Strategies for V&I, encompassing both near-term and long-term priorities.
• Establish a clear strategic framework to guide planning, decision making and prioritisation across the V&I unit.
• Provide competitive intelligence that ensures the development of V&I portfolio, franchise, disease area and therapy area strategies is informed by effective and timely external insight
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., Early V&I, Late V&I, V&I Commercial) to align on integrated strategies and operational deliverables.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders within the organization, ensuring alignment with corporate goals.
• Business Development: Oversee key business development activities in the Vaccines and Immune Therapies domains, including search & evaluation, licensing, and collaborations with academic institutions or commercial organizations.
• Manage the evaluation of early-stage projects, new modalities, and Life Cycle Management opportunities.
• Lead due diligence teams for potential in-licensing opportunities and partnerships, ensuring thorough scientific evaluation and delivering recommendations to governance bodies.
• Develop and manage partnerships that enhance our pipeline, fostering new scientific collaborations to drive innovation.
• Partner with the VP Commercial V&I to provide R&D inputs to the evaluation and due diligence of Commercial BD opportunities.
• Partner with the V&I Business Development Operations Head in the execution of Clinical and Commercial transactions and with the BPRD BD and Licensing team for Pre-Clinical transactions.
• Networking and Representation: Build and maintain a strong external network with biotech, venture capital firms, and peer pharmaceutical companies to identify emerging innovations and foster collaborations.
• Represent the Vaccines and Immune Therapies strategic initiatives to senior management and external stakeholders to enhance AstraZeneca’s reputation as a partner of choice.
• People Leadership Lead and develop the R&D Strategy & Business Development team to ensure high levels of engagement and performance.
• Work as part of the V&I Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and V&I Leaders Council (VILC), coaching and mentoring colleagues in areas of expertise and acting as a role model for the AZ values.

Benefits

• Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees