The Global Head of Business Development in Oncology R&D will be responsible for enriching the product pipeline and platform technology capabilities by accessing external innovation, through collaborations, licensing and acquisitions. Product opportunities will be across the stages of discovery through to clinical development. You will have responsibility for establishing new scientific partnerships for oncology R&D, offering the organisation new business or segment opportunities, typically either with academic institutions or commercial organisations.

This position will report to the VP of Oncology R&D Strategy, Business Development and Alliances and will lead all BD activities. This includes search & evaluation and deal transactions for collaborations, licensing, partnership and divestiture/out-licensing agreements.

You will also partner with the oncology commercial leadership team and other internal partners ensuring that activities are conducted with urgency and deliberation to successfully close deals that are aligned to Oncology’s strategy.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be a core member of the Oncology Strategy, Business Development and Alliances leadership team and key contributor to our strategy, reporting to the VP Strategy, Business Development and Alliances
• Exceptional leadership of an industry leading Oncology Business Development team, ensuring career development, retention and recruitment of top talent
• In collaboration with other leaders, agree and define an integrated strategy that incorporates in licensing, out licensing, acquisition and divestment of portfolio assets, collaborations, partnerships and alliances.
• Oversee all search and evaluation of external in-licensing opportunities emanating from academia, VC, biotech and peer-pharma including early research projects, new modality platforms, clinical stage candidates and Life Cycle Management (LCM) opportunities for our pipeline assets and franchises that can improve the scientific credibility of AZ’s Oncology R&D portfolio.
• Oversee and manage due diligence teams and processes (for preclinical and early clinical assets) to drive thorough scientific evaluation of potential assets and deliver recommendations to key governance bodies including the Senior Executive Management Team (SET).
• Collaborate with key partners and cross-functional teams to build business cases and to ensure effective communication, efficient decision-making, to support completion of transactions in a timely manner
• Build a deep external network with biotech, venture and peer pharma network and ensure presence, exposure and positive relationship building wherever innovation happens
• Represent Oncology R&D’s critical initiatives and business priorities with senior management of the external life sciences community to ensure AZ is considered partner of choice
• Bring specialist knowledge in industry trends in oncology including awareness of competitor datasets in AZ areas of strategic focus

• Proven scientific credibility with an extensive background in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically within oncology.
• Proven delivery of novel innovation strategies in oncology that have impacted portfolio delivery, in particular through the closure of complementary business development opportunities.
• Proven leadership capability in a research and development environment with expert knowledge of drug discovery, pre-clinical and clinical R&D.
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership through establishment of successful internal and external partnerships through collaborative relationships, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Proven ability to establish and act on priorities and to take the overall company interests into account when making decisions.
• Ability to contribute and fully understand the sophisticated architecture of contracts and financial evaluations
• An excellent communicator with extensive experience of interacting with third parties including senior representatives of peer companies, banks, VC companies and other relevant 3rd parties.
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and influence experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated capability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems.