Executive Director, Transactions

Position: Executive Director, Transactions (Business Development Operations)

Location: Boston, USA

Introduction to the role:

Business Development Operations (BDO) plays a critical role in AstraZeneca achieving the successful execution of both in and out bound transactions which expand, focus and rationalise the Company’s pipeline and portfolio.  By creating strong, long-term partnerships with other companies, we can help with the delivery of innovative and life-changing medicines to the people who need them. We also work hard to ensure that both parties receive the greatest possible value from the relationship.

The Executive Director, Transactions, is a senior role which leads a team of Transaction Directors, who are responsible for the execution of clinical and complex business development deal transactions. The Executive Director, Transactions, will also directly lead significant and material transactions and the cross functional teams associated with those transactions.  Transactions where the Executive Director is in the lead role are likely to be of significant size and complexity and require leading a team of senior cross-functional professionals to the conclusion of a deal.  The Executive Director, Transactions, is responsible for managing and/or mentoring and coaching other members of the transaction group within the Business Development group to build knowledge, experience and capability and provide coaching as required.

The Executive Director, Transactions, is a key member of BDO and will have specific accountabilities to the Leadership Team which may include specific accountabilities within a therapy area or geography providing expert knowledge and advice in deal making and where required providing oversight of all active BD projects and ensuring appropriate transaction resourcing for deals as required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Constructing and negotiating optimal deal structures in discussions with internal and external stakeholders, including working with the BD Search and Evaluation Director/Team and Deal Finance.
• Lead the transaction phase of significant and complex late-stage deals as they become realistic business propositions.
• Lead senior level international, multifunctional teams for the transaction execution process of BD opportunities, including contract negotiation.  Such teams will include senior scientific, technical and commercial representatives from the therapy areas, Finance, Legal, IP and Operations.
• Work with BDO leadership and Therapy Area leadership to ensure appropriate prioritisation and ranking of opportunities across the business.
• Manage the relationship with the potential partner in the transaction execution phase in a timely and professional manner; ensure that AZ remains competitive in 3rd party deal process. 
• Working collaboratively with the BD Search and Evaluation lead and using the highest level of communication skills, written and verbal, prepare and present deal propositions to relevant governance bodies including the SET and Board of Directors, as required  
• Identify transaction risks and opportunities and make clear recommendations to senior management to progress or to close 
• Lead the deal negotiation and closure.
• Ensure effective handover to the relevant Alliance- Integration Manager, including preparation of any mandated handover documentation.
• Act as a manager with direct reports and act as a coach, mentor and expert to BDO transactions team members.
• Oversee and provide guidance throughout deal transaction process and on deals being led by own teams’ members ie Transaction Directors.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with deal governance

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, legal, finance or life sciences discipline

• Extensive executive-level BD experience.

• BD tenure and scope: >15 years leading major BD initiatives in pharma, including late-stage and on-market transactions.
• Deal leadership across TAs: Proven capability to originate, negotiate, and execute industry-leading transactions across all therapy areas.
• Transaction scale: Significant role in global deals with risk-adjusted terms >$150M.
• Drug development and IP expertise: Deep understanding of end-to-end development, regulatory, and intellectual property management in deal contexts.
• Commercial and financial acumen: High numeracy; expert in valuation, financial modelling, and business case preparation.
• Legal and structuring proficiency: Expert knowledge of alternative deal structures and applicable legal principles.
• Integration leadership: Demonstrated success managing integrations from clinical through full-scale commercial, development, and operations.
• Executive influence and communication: Excellent written and verbal communication; credible presenter to TA leadership and SET; strong executive presence.
• Negotiation and decision-making under ambiguity: Master negotiator with the ability to make effective, timely decisions in complex, time-pressured environments.
• Stakeholder leadership: First-class collaboration and networking skills; able to manage/influence difficult stakeholders across cross-functional, cross-cultural teams.
• Governance and AZ context: Strong knowledge of BD governance (CDAs, SOX, deal flow, delegations) and AZ strategy/disease areas; established AZ network advantageous.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Second degree, e.g. MBA. PhD

Why Join Us?

At AstraZeneca, we encourage you to look beyond our company and shape the wider external environment. We ensure policymakers understand, and take into consideration, our industry when managing national and international frameworks. Be part of a team of specialists that is valued and crucial to the growth of AstraZeneca. Here you are encouraged to apply entrepreneurial and innovative thinking to make things happen in a creative, yet rigorous, environment.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Are you ready to lead the way in shaping the external environment? Join us at AstraZeneca where you can make an impact!

The annual base pay offered for this position ranges from $213,760 to $320,641. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualised factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program. 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. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, the employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.