Director, Transactions

The Director, Transactions is a role within the Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) team in BioPharmaceuticals R&D, which includes Cardiovascular, Metabolism, Renal, Respiratory, Immunology therapy areas and novel technology platforms, at AstraZeneca. This role will support global business development and transactions in the pre-clinical space and have a direct impact on the success of the BioPharma R&D portfolio. 

The Transactions team is responsible for all aspects of pre-clinical transactions, including defining deal structure and financial terms, negotiations of non-binding term sheets and full contracts, and deal execution. By effectively structuring, presenting and implementing deals, this person will enable investment in growth and innovation to ensure that science, capabilities and portfolio are fit for future challenges and opportunities. 

In this role, you will lead multi-functional teams in progressing transactions. To succeed in this position, you need strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, enabling you to establish trust and communicate with employees at every level - including senior leaders at AstraZeneca and external partners.  

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead, coordinate and implement transactional activities, including research collaborations, partnerships and licenses, in close collaboration with Head of Transactions  

• Collaborate with the deal Search & Evaluation lead in preparing and communicating the transactional aspects of business cases to relevant senior governance bodies 

• Manage/lead the deal negotiation and closure (non-binding term sheets, full contracts) by leading cross-functional teams (R&D, legal, IP, finance etc.) 

• Ensure effective transition to alliance management of post-deal matters 

• Independently drive and execute minor research collaborations, MTAs etc 

• As required, prepare activity and achievement reports for senior management 

• Build deep external networks with biotech, venture and peer pharma across the innovation ecosystem 

• Meaningfully contribute to BD team mission for AstraZeneca to be regarded as partner of choice 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field 

• 3+ years in life sciences industry 

• Experience and background working in a business development, licensing, technology transfer office, or a commercial business role in the pharmaceutical industry 

• Strong deal sheet providing evidence of successful transaction leadership and closure experience across various therapeutic and technology areas within the pharmaceutical industry 

• Excellent negotiation skills 

• Broad knowledge of BioPharma relevant disease areas, drug development activities and commercial processes within the pharmaceutical industry 

• Ability to understand and to contribute to the complex architecture of contracts, and scientific and financial evaluations 

• An excellent result-focused communicator with extensive experience of interacting effectively across multi-disciplines internally and with third parties including senior representatives of peer pharma companies 

• Excellent ability to establish and act on priorities 

• Proven ability to work under significant pressure and deliver to tight timelines 

• Capable of representing AZ at external events including interactions with Banks, VC companies and other relevant third parties 

• Capable of making effective decisions, acting courageously and communicating with conviction and inspiration at all levels 

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.