External Research & Development - Technology Innovation Business Development, Director

Amgen; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen seeks a Director of External Research & Development – Technology Innovation Business Development to lead search, evaluation, and transactions for AI-enabled technologies across biotech and tech ecosystems. The role, based in South San Francisco, CA or Thousand Oaks, CA, partners with R&D, Commercial, Operations, Legal, and Strategy to accelerate research and enterprise capabilities.

You will lead cross-functional diligence, negotiate strategic partnerships, and mentor teams while

Responsibilities

• Identify external AI, digital, HealthTech, and technology opportunities aligned with Amgen's R&D and enterprise strategy.
• Monitor trends to uncover high-value partnership opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with technology companies, biotech organizations, investors, academia, and networks.
• Represent Amgen to strengthen partnerships and visibility within the ecosystem.
• Lead assessments of external opportunities across scientific, technical, and business dimensions.
• Direct cross-functional diligence teams to evaluate merit, feasibility, and business value.
• Translate technical and business insights into clear recommendations for leadership.
• Drive governance and decision-making in opportunity evaluation.
• Lead BD transactions including collaborations, licensing, and partnerships.
• Negotiate terms with Legal and cross-functional teams.
• Support broader External R&D transactions and acquisitions.
• Present assessments and strategies to leadership and governance committees.
• Collaborate to align external innovation with business priorities.
• Influence direction through data-driven analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver objectives and mentor colleagues.

Education

Doctorate in a scientific field

Master's degree in a scientific field

Bachelor's degree in a scientific field

Job description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

External Research & Development - Technology Innovation Business Development, Director

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will lead Amgen's search, evaluation, and selected transaction activities for external partnerships focused on AI-enabled technologies and other technology innovation opportunities across the biotech and technology ecosystem. You will help shape and execute Amgen's external technology innovation strategy while identifying opportunities that accelerate research, development, and enterprise capabilities.

Working closely with cross-functional partners across Research & Development, Technology Innovation, Commercial, Operations, Legal, and Corporate Strategy, you will evaluate emerging technologies, lead complex assessments, negotiate strategic partnerships, and cultivate relationships with leading technology companies, biotech organizations, venture investors, and innovation ecosystems. You will also contribute to broader External R&D business development initiatives as business priorities evolve.

This role is ideally based at an Amgen Research hub in South San Francisco, CA or Thousand Oaks, CA to enable close collaboration with research teams.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, and advance external AI, digital, HealthTech, and technology innovation opportunities aligned with Amgen's R&D and enterprise strategy.
• Monitor scientific, technology, and competitive trends to uncover high-value partnership opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with technology companies, biotech organizations, investors, academic institutions, and innovation networks.
• Represent Amgen externally to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance visibility within the innovation ecosystem.
• Lead scientific, technical, commercial, and strategic assessments of external opportunities.
• Direct cross-functional diligence teams to evaluate scientific merit, feasibility, strategic fit, and business value.
• Translate complex technical and business insights into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• Drive governance and decision-making processes throughout opportunity evaluation.
• Lead business development transactions, including collaborations, licensing agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with Legal and cross-functional teams to negotiate terms and execute agreements.
• Support broader External R&D transactions, including collaborations, licensing opportunities, and acquisitions.
• Present opportunity assessments and transaction strategies to leadership and governance committees.
• Collaborate across R&D, Technology Innovation, Commercial, Operations, Finance, Legal, and Corporate Strategy to align external innovation efforts with business priorities.
• Influence strategic direction through data-driven analysis, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams to deliver business objectives.
• Mentor team members and contribute to the growth of the External R&D organization.

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional we seek is a strategic business development leader with the following qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in a scientific field and 4 years of biotech, HealthTech, technology, or biopharmaceutical business development experience
• Master's degree in a scientific field and 7 years of biotech, HealthTech, technology, or biopharmaceutical business development experience
• Bachelor's degree in a scientific field and 9 years of biotech, HealthTech, technology, or biopharmaceutical business development experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in a scientific discipline with expertise spanning biotechnology, HealthTech, artificial intelligence, data science, technology innovation, and biopharmaceutical research.
• Demonstrated business development experience, including evaluation, licensing, strategic partnerships, collaborations, and transaction execution.
• Experience leading technology-focused evaluations involving AI-enabled platforms, digital technologies, or emerging innovation capabilities.
• Strong understanding of the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, technology, and venture capital ecosystems.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders across multiple functions and organizational levels.
• Excellent scientific, strategic thinking, analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex opportunities, prioritize competing demands, and make sound business decisions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
• Track record of building trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, including technology companies, biotechnology companies, venture investors, and emerging innovators.
• Professional presence with strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work independently while mentoring colleagues and contributing to a highly collaborative team environment.

What You Can Expect Of Us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales‑based incentive plan
• Stock-based long‑term incentives
• Award‑winning time‑off plans
• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Application deadline

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.