Director, Early-Stage BD & Investment Strategy

CSL Vifor; Glattbrugg; On-site; CHF 190,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

CSL Vifor is seeking a Director of BD Early Stage to lead evaluation of external early-stage assets from due diligence to NBO. The role synthesizes scientific, clinical and commercial data to guide investment decisions and portfolio strategy.

You will deliver investment-ready assessments, influence governance decisions and collaborate with R&D, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory and Transactions to shape pursuit and prioritization of opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or related field (required)
• Advanced degree such as PhD, MD, PharmD, MSc, MBA or equivalent (strongly preferred)
• 5–10+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech with exposure to Search & Evaluation, early-stage BD, R&D strategy or new product planning
• Proven ability to assess scientific and commercial potential and influence governance decisions
• Demonstrated success evaluating external opportunities, leading negotiations and influencing cross-functional decisions
• Experience partnering across R&D, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory and Transactions in a global matrix
• Proven ability to support investment cases and contribute to diligence and strategic evaluations

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation of early-stage assets from Due Diligence Stage 2 through Governance to negotiation of NBO.
• Integrate scientific, clinical, mechanistic, regulatory and commercial evidence into holistic assessments of attractiveness and strategic fit.
• Deliver investment-ready inputs such as valuation assumptions, scenario modelling, unmet need assessments and deal analogues.
• Translate complex narratives into clear, concise, decision-ready recommendations for CSL senior leaders.
• Provide recommendations on progressing, deferring or declining opportunities based on enterprise priorities.
• Apply CSL’s evaluation standards and prioritization frameworks for rigorous analysis.
• Develop and maintain external partnerships with potential partners with R&D Search.
• Shape valuation logic, risk scenarios and deal structures with BD Transactions.
• Engage with cross-functional partners to inform integrated evaluation outputs.
• Prepare high-quality evaluation summaries and decision papers for governance bodies.
• Support capital allocation and portfolio shaping discussions with evidence-driven recommendations.

Skills

Scientific literacy

Analytical capability

Relationship building

Executive-level communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making under ambiguity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences

Advanced degree preferred (PhD/MD/ PharmD/ MSc/MBA)

Job description

CSL Vifor is seeking a Director of BD Early Stage to lead evaluation of external early-stage assets from due diligence to NBO. The role synthesizes scientific, clinical and commercial data to guide investment decisions and portfolio strategy.

You will deliver investment-ready assessments, influence governance decisions and collaborate with R&D, Commercial, Finance, Regulatory and Transactions to shape pursuit and prioritization of opportunities.