Clinical Search and Evaluation Lead - Neurology

UCB; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking a Clinical Search and Evaluation Lead Neurology to join our global Business Development Neurology team, based in Brussels, Monheim, or Slough, with hybrid work options.

You will monitor the external neurology landscape to identify partnering opportunities, scout and evaluate promising assets, and provide strategic, evidence-based recommendations to guide investments and transactions. Travel up to 15–20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of neurology, patient populations and clinical development pathways.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy and analyze complex evidence.
• Clear, credible communication and relationship-building with external partners and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and shape neurology partnering strategy.
• Monitor external innovation landscape in neurology to identify partnering opportunities.
• Screen and evaluate opportunities for strategic fit and value creation.
• Support due diligence and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Challenging assumptions during cross-functional due diligence and shaping mitigation plans.
• Build external networks and represent the company at events.

Skills

Neurology knowledge

Strategy development

Communication

English fluency

Travel willingness

AI-enabled tools

Digital tools

Education

Medical degree

Doctoral scientific degree

Job description

We are looking for a Clinical Search and Evaluation Lead Neurology to join our global Business Development Neurology team, based in either Brussels, Belgium; Monheim, Germany; or Slough, United Kingdom. Other locations may be considered case by case.

About The Role

Join us in shaping our neurology partnering strategy. You will monitor the external innovation landscape in neurology to identify clinical-stage partnering opportunities that have the potential to deliver meaningful impact for patients. Combining clinical insight, scientific understanding and pharmaceutical business acumen, you will scout, screen and evaluate promising opportunities, assessing their strategic fit, competitive differentiation, value creation potential, and relevance to unmet patient needs. You will also support rigorous due diligence and provide clear and aligned recommendations that guide investment and transaction decisions.

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the Head of Business Development Neurology and work closely with our Scientific Search & Evaluation team to ensure seamless coverage of the external innovation landscape and the identification of external growth opportunities aligned with our strategic priorities in neurology. You will also collaborate with our Transactions Team on due diligence efforts, and work alongside cross-functional experts to shape and challenge valuation assumptions on potential investments. You will build trusted relationships with external innovators and industry partners, helping us stay ahead of emerging trends and business opportunities in neurology.

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain a forward-looking neurology partnering roadmap informed by clinical, scientific, market and competitive trends.
• Scout, map and monitor later stage assets across priority diseases, patient populations and treatment approaches.
• Screen and prioritise opportunities based on patient value, differentiation, strategic fit and a clear transaction rationale.
• Evaluate clinical evidence, development plans, unmet needs, risks and potential benefits, then provide clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Support cross-functional due diligence by challenging assumptions, identifying risks and opportunities, and shaping practical mitigation plans.
• Build external networks, represent the company professionally at industry events and track emerging areas of strategic interest.

Interested? For this role we're looking for the following education, experience and skills

• A medical degree is strongly preferred; a doctoral scientific degree may be considered with substantial clinical development experience.
• Ten years or more of relevant drug development experience within industry.
• Strong knowledge of neurology, including patient populations, standards of care and clinical development pathways.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, analyse complex evidence and make balanced recommendations in a matrix organisation.
• Clear, credible communication and relationship-building skills with external partners and cross-functional teams and senior leaders.
• Fluent written and spoken English, confidence using digital and artificial intelligence-enabled tools, and willingness to travel up to 15% to 20%.

Are you ready to 'go beyond' to create value and make your mark for patients?

About Us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don't just complete tasks, we create value. We aren't afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We go beyond to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that's on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we've embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.