Associate Director, Business Development, Discovery Transactions

Transact globally to provide business support to our company's Research Laboratories. Work with internal partners and global external collaborators to draft, negotiate, and execute a variety of agreement types to advance discovery research, support key objectives, and protect intellectual property. Engage with universities, government, not-for-profits, biotech, and pharma to access critical assets, reagents, technologies, and external innovation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Discovery Transaction colleagues, Corporate Legal, Patent Legal, Research Procurement, Sourcing, Finance, Clinical Global Agreements Management, Compliance, Discovery Operations, Privacy Office, and stakeholders to transact agreements ensuring Freedom to Operate and IP protection.
• Actively listen, seek to understand differing perspectives, and show leadership by working together to achieve common goals while ensuring transparency.
• Speak openly and honestly, take appropriate risks, and make difficult decisions while adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior.
• Utilize SAP/COMET for funded agreements, add vendors, and enter contracts into SAP as needed. Capture SAP payment information in LKR records and Midas Memos.
• Adhere to all company policies on expenses, expense reporting, and U.S. Manager’s Policies if applicable.
• Contribute to transformation efforts by communicating the company’s vision and reinforcing cultural attributes (ethics, respect, scientific excellence, ROI, confidence, and humility).
• Support BD&L transformation goals by decreasing cycle time, increasing productivity, and enhancing employee engagement.
• Develop prioritized cross-franchise lists of early-stage academic and biotech collaborations in support of research objectives.
• Execute or enable Discovery Transaction Managers to execute non-exclusive or patent licenses, study agreements, evaluation agreements, MTAs, consulting agreements, NDAs, and research collaboration agreements.
• Make timely, disciplined decisions at the appropriate level with relevant data and support them once made. Alert BD&L management to major upcoming decision points in agreements.
• Drive results by setting clear performance standards, overcoming obstacles, and holding oneself and others accountable.
• Participate in monthly Senior Staff meetings, Best Practices meetings, and bi-weekly face-to-face meetings with direct reports.
• Encourage collaboration and a team environment within the Discovery Transactions group.
• Maintain active participation and membership in Licensing Executive Society (LES), University-Industry Development Partnership (UIDP), and Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).
• Maintain and encourage others to maintain LES CLP certification.
• Provide visible leadership on compliance and applicable laws and regulations to research clients.
• Memorialize all interactions in LKR to ensure internal compliance and follow written guidelines for LKR documentation.
• Enter appropriate descriptions in LKR so reports require no further editing.
• Follow BD&L processes for review, approval, and documentation of licensing opportunities.
• Provide input to the LKR re-platforming team to highlight RFA process improvements and meet the requirements of DTMs and TMs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in science or law; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in contract negotiation with a fundamental understanding of legal concepts and contract terminology.
• Understanding of basic and clinical science, as well as academic, biotech, and pharma business.
• Solid understanding of the drug development process and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
• Strong history of working collegially and constructively with internal partners and external collaborators.

Skills

• Required: Business Development, Contract Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Contractual Drafting, Developing Proposals, Drug Discovery Research, Due Diligence, Licensing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Transaction Management.
• Preferred: Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licensing, Patent Licensing.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $156,900.00 - $247,000.00. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business needs. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and other insurance benefits (for employee and family).
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, compassionate, and sick days.

Schedule

• 10% travel requirements.
• Hybrid flexible work arrangements.