Early Commercial Business Development Evaluation Director – CVRM

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. We’re focused on the potential of science to address the unmet needs of patients around the world. We commit to those areas where we think we can really change the course of medicine and bring big new ideas to life.

The Early Commercial organization within Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic (CVRM) is responsible for shaping and building a winning portfolio that establishes AstraZeneca as an enduring leader in the cardio, renal and metabolic area. 

The Director Evaluation, Early Commercial, will typically take the lead role in a specialist area, though with oversight by the Early Commercial Head.  Within the specialist area will manage projects end to end, engaging partners and key collaborators through to negotiation and finalization on as needed basis.  May line manage specialist administration support and lead cross-functional project teams in global projects.

What you’ll do

• Support the Early Commercial Head in ensuring that targeted opportunities in the specified area are identified, evaluated and, as appropriate, presented to the business effectively and efficiently.  These may be in/out licensing, divestment, acquisition or alliance opportunities.

• Work collaboratively and flexibly to accommodate the various routes through which projects of different natures may arise.

• Establish external and internal networks to ensure early identification and capture of relevant opportunities. Attend relevant external scientific conferences to search for and find opportunities.

• Interpret and synthesise data gathered from 3rd parties, desk sources and internal AZ knowledge in building a business proposition.

• Take responsibility to filter opportunities and to terminate evaluations that do not meet business requirements or standards.

• Establish and lead international, multifunctional teams for the technical, commercial and corporate evaluation of opportunities and their execution.

• Ensure that the evaluations are thorough and objective, with clear opportunity and risk assessment

• Manage the relationship with the potential partner in a timely and professional manner; ensure that AZ remains competitive in 3rd party deal process.

• Prepare and present deal propositions to relevant senior governance bodies.

• Prepare activity and achievement reports for senior management and feed into senior leader updates as appropriate.

• Positively drive, develop, manage and maintain collaborator relationships with senior colleagues, including legal and Finance and other relevant functions.

• Lead externalization input into assigned business area.

• Responsible for the identification, evaluation and, as appropriate, presentation to the business of targeted opportunities 

• Ensure, as far as is reasonable, that AZ is regarded as partner of choice by third parties.

• Role will report to a CVRM Early Commercial Head

The position can be based in either Gaithersburg, MD or Gothenburg, SE.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree level education

• 10+ years pharmaceutical industry experience

• Broad knowledge of pharmaceutical business, process and activities

• Good knowledge of CVRM disease areas, and drug development activities and commercial processes and especially within AZ. Existing deep scientific knowledge and an established external network in a relevant therapy area is an advantage

• Knowledge of scientific, commercial and financial evaluation techniques.

• Experience in leading multiple, large, international, multi-functional project teams of senior professionals.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to ascertain the relevant issues from large masses of information.

• Strong interpersonal and team leadership skills

• Experience and effectiveness in the presentation of written and oral business cases to the most senior AZ Management.

• Knowledge of deal structures and legal principles

• Numerate and having financial literacy

• Gravitas and experience to create a positive relationship with third parties as an AZ Ambassador.

• Tenacity and resourcefulness. Calmness under sustained pressure of intense deal environment

• A flexible, team orientated attitude, willing to contribute own skills to deliver AZ priority projects

• Existing knowledge of governance procedures relevant to deal progression and business development work. (CDAs, delegation of authorities etc)

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree, e.g. MBA

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

So, what’s next!

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AstraZeneca/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca/?hl=en

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.