Search and Evaluation Director, Respiratory & Immunology (R&I)

AstraZeneca; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Health benefits

Job summary

AstraZeneca is looking for a Search and Evaluation Director in Respiratory & Immunology to drive business development initiatives and manage external innovation. This role requires a strong R&D background combined with business savvy and exceptional communication skills.

The successful candidate will evaluate licensing opportunities and collaborate across teams to develop high-quality evaluations. The position offers a flexible work environment focused on achieving impactful outcomes in

Qualifications

• 10+ years of validated experience in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Strong scientific reputation in drug discovery and clinical development.
• Ability to navigate and succeed in a highly-matrixed work environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate external in-licensing opportunities.
• Represent the Business Development strategy at partnering meetings.
• Develop clear and concise evaluation reports of external assets.

Skills

Communication Skills

Leadership Abilities

Critical Thinking

Collaboration

Understanding of Clinical Development

Education

MD, PhD, or MBA

Job description

Summary Of Role

The Search and Evaluation Director, Respiratory & Immunology, in Business Development and Licensing is a key role in Biopharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, where the role holder supports global Business Development initiatives and has a direct impact on the scientific strategy and portfolio. The Search and Evaluation (S&E) group is responsible for driving search efforts for external innovation throughout the Biopharma R&D R&I community and conducting technical due diligence activities that ensure an in-depth understanding of investment opportunities and provide effective decision‑making tools for the organization. The role holder will have a major impact on the strategic development of Biopharmaceuticals R&D, R&I, ensuring that the portfolio is delivered and that the science, capabilities, and portfolio are fit for future challenges and opportunities.

The successful candidate has a strong R&D scientific and/or clinical background, business and strategic savvy, and excellent communication skills. In addition, they demonstrate an ability to engage and collaborate across boundaries with an entrepreneurial attitude and delivery focus.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Head of S&E, R&I, the role holder is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and maintaining the landscape of external in-licensing opportunities from academia, biotechs, and peer-pharma, including early research projects, new modality platforms, early and late clinical stage candidates, and Life Cycle Management (LCM) opportunities.
• The role holder will represent the Business Development strategy at partnering meetings to identify and prioritize external assets and opportunities related to R&I.
• The role holder will integrate input from various functional areas across the organization to develop high‑quality, clear, and concise confidential evaluation reports of external assets and will provide recommendations to the Head of S&E.
• The candidate will be responsible for identifying and evaluating key strategic collaborations and technical platform capabilities that can improve the scientific credibility and portfolio of Biopharmaceuticals R&D R&I.
• The role holder will harness AI‑enabled tools and demonstrate AI readiness to improve search capabilities, accelerate data analysis, and improve decision‑making processes in asset evaluation and competitive intelligence.
• The role holder works constructively with key partners and cross‑functional teams, including commercial, to ensure effective communication, efficient decision‑making, and timely completion of transactions with BD teams.
• The role holder will supervise breakthrough innovation, ongoing clinical trials, and market trends of existing external R&I opportunities using competitive intelligence tools to find opportunities, threats, and risks in a timely manner.

Education And Experience

• MD, PhD, or MBA with 10+ years of validated experience.
• Strong scientific reputation in drug discovery and clinical development in R&I.
• Basic understanding of deal‑making.
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively.
• Validated leadership abilities in an R&D environment.
• Strong understanding of clinical development experience in R&I, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness.
• Extensive experience in pharmaceutical R&D, demonstrating international experience in multiple cultures and R&D environments.
• Ability to think critically, creatively, and to anticipate and solve problems.
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast‑paced, highly‑matrixed work environment
• Excellent communicator who takes ownership for decisions made. Role model engagement and dedication.
• Able to lead culture shift and improve in performance at all levels in the organization.
• Able and accountable for driving business performance.
• Understand the wider AstraZeneca business priorities.
• Appreciate that scientific expertise needs to be balanced with business leadership.
• Able to actively seek collaboration in a sophisticated matrix structure.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $172,624.00 - $258,936.00 . However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short‑term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program. Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an 'at‑will position' and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Why AstraZeneca

Here you will contribute to a bold mission to transform outcomes for people by advancing earlier detection and smarter, faster trials. You will operate at the intersection of innovative science and technology, backed by significant investment and an empowered, collaborative culture that brings clinicians, scientists, and data experts together to accelerate breakthroughs. We value kindness alongside ambition, giving you the trust, tools, and cross‑functional partnerships to lead with confidence and shape studies that matter-so your decisions today translate into meaningful patient impact tomorrow.

Date Posted

15-Sep-2026

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.