Business Development Director – In-Licensing

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Report to the CEO while developing and overseeing Scope’s initiatives for identifying, assessing, and acquiring new assets and strategic partnerships.

• Formulate the business development and in-licensing strategy that aligns with Scope’s therapeutic focus areas and long-term objectives.

• Establish and manage the function, which includes recruiting a Market Intelligence & Opportunity Specialist and expanding the team.

• Lead the internal business development screening committee and propose opportunities for comprehensive evaluation.

• Create an operational rhythm, governance framework, and reporting mechanisms for business development activities.

• Develop and uphold a pipeline of assets, technologies, and partnership opportunities.

• Utilize market intelligence, external networks, and industry activities to identify and evaluate prospects.

• Design and implement stage-gate evaluation processes along with investment case templates.

• Oversee the scientific assessment of potential assets, including mechanism of action, clinical data, target product profile, and development risks.

• Convert complex scientific concepts into succinct, board-ready investment cases.

• Collaborate with Commercial and Finance teams regarding market potential, valuation, investment requirements, affordability, and risk-adjusted returns.

• Coordinate cross-functional due diligence involving scientific, clinical, commercial, financial, legal, intellectual property, regulatory, quality, supply, and operational domains.

• Lead negotiations for licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions from term sheet to final agreement.

• Present investment cases to Scope’s Portfolio Review and Board.

• Facilitate the structured transfer of completed transactions to commercial, medical, regulatory, supply, and finance teams.

• Cultivate relationships with biotech firms, academic institutions, investors, and advisors.

• Represent Scope at partnering and industry events such as EURETINA, AAO, Eyecelerator, and BIO-Europe.

• Assist with the future out-licensing of Scope’s own assets starting in 2028.

⛳️ Requirements

• PhD, MD, or equivalent scientific or clinical qualification in ophthalmology or a closely related field, such as retina, ocular surface, ocular drug delivery, or ophthalmic devices.

• Business Degree or MBA.

• Over 8 years of experience in pharma, biotech, or medtech business development, licensing, or corporate development.

• Proven track record of successfully leading multiple licensing, partnership, or acquisition transactions through screening, due diligence, negotiation, and obtaining senior approval, including closed transactions.

• Experience in presenting investment cases to a board or executive committee and effectively defending them against scrutiny.

• Established network within the ophthalmology sector, including biotech, academic tech transfer, investors, and clinical key opinion leaders.

• Experience working in a growing or lean organization where resources are limited, not just in large pharmaceutical companies.

• Proven experience in out-licensing.

• Familiarity with regulatory environments in Ireland, the UK, and the US.

• Capability to independently analyze a clinical data package and form a well-reasoned opinion, even if it diverges from that of the seller.

• Commercial acumen, including the ability to interpret a valuation model and connect scientific insights with commercial outcomes.

• Skill in influencing without authority across Commercial, Medical, Regulatory, and Supply Chain teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce board-level documentation.

• Independent judgment and the confidence to reject an asset when the evidence is inadequate.

• Comfortable with building processes from the ground up and establishing structure where none exists.

• High standards of confidentiality and integrity.

• Motivated by a fast-paced, hands-on role working directly with the CEO.

• Willing and able to travel regularly, approximately 30% of the time.

🏝️ Benefits

• Performance-based bonus.

• 24 days of annual leave (pro rata).

• Healthcare allowance starting after probation, increasing after 2 and 5 years of service.

• Pension contributions through Zurich beginning after probation, increasing at 2, 5, and 8 years of service.

• Company sick pay scheme.

• Further Education policy.

• Professional Membership.