Business Development & In-Licensing Director

Evolve Selection; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Pension

Healthcare

Eye care vouchers

Wellbeing days

Career development

Job summary

Evolve is partnering with an ambitious eyecare business to appoint a Business Development & In-Licensing Director. Reporting to the CEO, you will shape and lead the business development function, build a pipeline of innovative assets and strategic partnerships, and drive high-value transactions from initial evaluation through to completion.

This permanent, full-time role covers the US, UK, and Ireland with significant autonomy to build the function from the ground up.

Qualifications

• PhD/MD or equivalent in ophthalmology or related field.
• 8+ years in pharma/biotech/medtech business development, licensing or corporate development with proven deal making.
• Strong ophthalmology network across biotech, academia, investors and clinicians.
• Commercial acumen with understanding of deal valuation and investments.
• Entrepreneurial leadership and willingness to travel ~30%.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead the business development and in-licensing strategy.
• Build a pipeline of innovative assets, technologies and partnerships across eyecare.
• Lead scientific evaluation and investment decisions with commercial insight.
• Drive end-to-end deals: due diligence, structuring and negotiations.
• Represent the organization at industry events and establish it as a partner of choice.

Skills

Business development

Deal-making

Leadership

Networking

Strategic thinking

Presentation to leadership

Education

PhD or MD in ophthalmology or related field

MBA or business qualification

Job description

Evolve is partnering with an ambitious, growing international eyecare business to appoint a Business Development & In-Licensing Director. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a unique opportunity to shape and lead the business development function, build a pipeline of innovative assets and strategic partnerships, and drive high-value transactions from initial evaluation through to completion. Combining scientific expertise with commercial acumen, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future portfolio and growth of the business, with significant autonomy and the opportunity to build a function from the ground up.

This is a full-time permanent position with responsibility for the US, UK and Ireland territories.

What’s on offer?

• Excellent Salary & Benefits - A competitive starting salary depending on your experience, plus exceptional bonus, pension, wellbeing days, healthcare, eye care vouchers and more!
• Entrepreneurial Spirit - Enjoy the agility and visibility of an ambitious organisation where you can make a real difference.
• Collaborative Culture - Thrive in a supportive, people-focused environment.

Ideal Requirements for the Business Development & In-Licensing Director

• Strong scientific and commercial credentials - A PhD, MD or equivalent scientific/clinical qualification in ophthalmology or a related field, ideally combined with a business qualification or MBA.
• Proven business development and deal-making experience - At least 8 years’ experience in pharma, biotech or medtech business development, licensing or corporate development, with a track record of personally leading transactions from evaluation through to negotiation and completion.
• Established ophthalmology network - Strong relationships across ophthalmology biotech, academia, investors and clinical key opinion leaders, alongside a good understanding of the global eyecare landscape.
• Scientific judgement and commercial acumen - The ability to critically assess clinical data, challenge assumptions and evaluate development risks, alongside an understanding of valuations, deal economics and commercial potential. Confident presenting investment cases to senior leadership and Boards.
• Entrepreneurial leadership and drive - A hands-on, independent leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building a function from the ground up and can influence cross-functional teams. Comfortable working closely with senior leadership and willing to travel regularly (approximately 30%).

Role Responsibilities for the Business Development & In-Licensing Director

• Shape and lead the business development strategy - Define and drive the business development and in-licensing strategy, identifying opportunities aligned with the organisation’s long-term ambitions and therapeutic priorities. Build and lead a high-performing function, shaping its growth as the pipeline develops.
• Build a strong pipeline of opportunities - Identify and develop a pipeline of innovative assets, technologies and strategic partnerships across eyecare. Use your industry network, market intelligence and scientific insight to uncover opportunities that strengthen the portfolio and benefit patients.
• Lead scientific evaluation and investment decisions - Bring scientific rigour and commercial insight to the evaluation of opportunities. Assess clinical data, mechanisms of action, development potential and risk, translating complex science into clear investment recommendations for senior leadership and the Board.
• Drive deals from opportunity to completion - Lead the end-to-end transaction process, including due diligence, deal structuring and negotiations across licensing, partnerships and acquisitions. Work with Finance, Legal and cross-functional teams to secure deals that deliver long-term strategic value.
• Build strategic partnerships and establish the organisation as a partner of choice - Develop influential relationships across the global eyecare ecosystem, including biotech, academia, investors and advisers. Represent the organisation at leading industry events and position it as a credible, agile partner for companies bringing innovative treatments to market.

Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success as a company, We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic