MSD
Director, Business Development & Licensing – Search & Evaluation for Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Respiratory & Metabolism, Europe Hub, London
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Director, Business Development & Licensing – Search & Evaluation for Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Respiratory & Metabolism, Europe Hub, London
Director, Business Development & Licensing – Search & Evaluation
Location: Moorgate, London (Hybrid, on-site 2 days/week)
Role: Scientific and strategic leadership for Search & Evaluation (S&E) in Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Respiratory, and Metabolism therapeutic areas.
The Search & Evaluation (S&E) team is a key function within our company’s Global Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) organisation. The S&E Global Business Development and Licensing efforts focus on identifying, evaluating, and executing collaborations, licensing, and acquisition opportunities that align with our Research & Development and BD&L strategies.
You will interact with:
- Biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies
- Academic institutions
- Venture firms
- Key stakeholders in the life sciences industry
Your primary responsibilities include:
- Global Search & Evaluation for assets of high strategic value across all stages: early discovery, late-stage development, and approved assets.
- Leading scientific and technical due diligence to ensure a detailed understanding of the underlying science behind each opportunity.
What You Will Do
Core Responsibilities
- Identify, evaluate, and execute cutting-edge business development opportunities in Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Respiratory, and Metabolism, spanning all stages of drug discovery and modalities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to analyse and gain internal support for BD opportunities.
- Lead deep scientific due diligence, ensuring high-quality formal output and integration of internal SME input for review/approval by management.
- Work closely with transaction leads, legal, commercial, and financial teams to advance and execute the most relevant, high-priority deals.
- Shape business development strategy in assigned therapeutic areas, integrating discovery and clinical development leadership.
- Align activities with preclinical, clinical, and commercial teams, and coordinate with corporate BD colleagues.
- Collaborate with global Search & Evaluation team to ensure comprehensive coverage of relevant opportunity space.
- Provide clear, timely assessments on deals, maintaining efficient communication and seamless cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage a portfolio of complex BD projects, serving as the primary scientific contact for potential:
- Licensing deals
- Acquisitions
- Collaborations
- Co-development partnerships
- Strategic alliances
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Qualifications & Requirements
Education
requires a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in a life sciences field, preferably in:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccines
- Respiratory diseases
- Metabolism
Experience
- Substantial biopharmaceutical industry or related experience (e.g., consulting, equity research, university tech transfer, etc.).
- Preferred in a Search & Evaluation or BD role, with a track record in high-impact deals and partnerships.
- Comprehensive understanding of:
- Drug discovery & development processes
- Biopharmaceutical industry trends and landscapes
- The strategic value of collaborations, licensing, and acquisitions in Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Vaccines, Respiratory, Metabolism
Key Skills & Competencies
- Proactive and impactful in high-growth, fast-paced settings.
- Strong leadership in cross-functional collaboration, conflict resolution, negotiation, and project prioritisation.
- Expert relationship-building capabilities, spanning internal teams, experts, financial partners, and external stakeholders.
- Autonomous, strategic execution, from sourcing to deal closing, in high-visibility scenarios.
- Executive presence and ability to influence decision-makers, including:
- Senior executives
- Scientific leaders
- Pharmaceutical and venture partners
- Board-level stakeholders
- exceptional communication, presentation, and persuasive skills.
- Analytical rigor, operational excellence, and detail-oriented internal stakeholder and partner interactions.
- Ability to multitask effectively while prioritising high-impact projects.
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Preferred Skills
The company values employees who display:
- Oral & written articulation of scientific and strategic details.
- Agile adaptation to emerging industry trends.
- Ethical integrity and mission-driven mindset.
Company Values
Our team thrives on collaboration, respect, encouragement, and bold innovation. Membership in our diverse, global network allows career development alongside passionate, high-impact colleagues upholding our legacy of ethical leadership in global health.
Application Notes
- No unsolicited CVs from search firms.
- Documented job conforms to the rules above.
- Internal job posting active until 11:59PM July 12, 2026.
- Open to current employees, contingent workers, and solicited search firms.
- American parent company: Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
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