Business Development and Licensing Associate Director

Merck Group; Gillingham; Remote; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to innovation in healthcare and life sciences. This role involves scouting for groundbreaking technologies, negotiating licensing agreements, and collaborating across various teams to align external innovations with strategic objectives. With a focus on emerging trends and market analysis, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of research products and services. If you are passionate about science and technology and thrive in a dynamic environment, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact in a diverse and inclusive team.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in technology scouting and licensing in life sciences.
• Proficiency in negotiating and drafting complex licensing agreements.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate novel technologies from academia and startups.
• Negotiate and execute licensing agreements for new technologies.

Skills

Technology Scouting

Licensing Negotiation

Market Analysis

Risk Management

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

MS/MSc in Life Sciences

PhD in Life Sciences

Tools

Financial Analysis Tools

Contract Management Software

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you've got big plans - so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people's lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

The role:

The Technology Scouting and Access/Licensing team is a remote group within Biology R&D that supports R&D and the Biology business by scouting for novel and emerging technologies primarily from academia and early stage companies. The aim is to deliver unique insight, ideas, discoveries and technologies to R&D and the wider Biology business to help create and develop future research products and services. In addition, the team is also responsible for licensing technologies into the organization, putting in place and managing the agreements, and out-licensing technologies and other IP in order to generate revenue.

Key responsibilities:

1. Identify and Evaluate Novel Technologies: Proactively identify novel technology and discoveries primarily from academia and early stage companies including literature reviews and networking; and assess potential external partners, academic institutions, startups, and industry collaborators, to determine potential fit within the Biology portfolio.
2. Licensing Negotiation and Execution: Negotiate, draft and execute new licensing agreements with a particular focus on 3D cell culture and organoids following our Group's acquisition of HUB Organoids. Manage post-signature deals including assisting with compliance and reporting obligations. Provide guidance to existing team members.
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with internal R&D, product management, marketing, business development, legal, patent, regulatory, quality, venture capital and finance teams to align external innovation efforts with the company's strategic objectives and operational capabilities.
4. Market Analysis and Opportunity Assessment: Conduct market analysis and opportunity assessments to identify emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and potential areas for external collaboration and investment. Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior leadership based on market intelligence and industry trends.
5. Risk Management and Compliance: Evaluate and mitigate risks associated with external licenses, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (internal and external), intellectual property considerations, and ethical standards.

This position offers the flexibility to be located in the UK or Western Europe. Travel, including international trips, may be required up to 10% of the time.

Who you are:

1. MS/MSc degree in the life sciences.
2. Extensive experience of technology scouting and/or in- and out-licensing experience or other relevant experience in a commercial environment (i.e. life science research tools companies).
3. Established experience working for a mid- to large-sized life science company.
4. Command of complex IP concepts including patents, materials, trademarks.
5. Financial acumen and ability to build and defend financial analyses and business cases including DCFs for both consumables and digital assets.
6. Demonstrated ability to identify new life science technologies and secure life science licensing and partnership opportunities.
7. Proficiency in negotiating and drafting licensing agreements, contracts, and other legal documents, specifically in the context of life sciences valuing >$5M NPV.
8. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills for negotiation, relationship building, and engagement with senior life science stakeholders.
9. High EQ and ability to influence across all levels in a multinational matrix organization.
10. Flexibility to work in a complex, globally dispersed matrixed organisation with strong starter and finisher attitude.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

1. PhD in the life sciences.
2. Solid strategic experience within a life sciences, biotech or pharmaceutical company with a proven business development track record.
3. Proven direct line management experience.

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and believe that it drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of our diverse team!