Senior Director, Business Development

Elanco Tiergesundheit AG; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns

8-week parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6% 401K matching

Job summary

Elanco is seeking a Senior Director of Business Development to lead end-to-end strategy, structuring, and execution of complex transactions across animal health. You will drive M&A, licensing, and strategic partnerships, coordinating cross-functional teams and presenting to executives.

Strong financial modeling, valuation, and negotiation skills are essential. The role requires 8+ years in BD/strategy within life sciences, with MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate Degree (BS) in a relevant scientific or business field.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in business development, corporate development or strategy, or healthcare investment banking/finance, or a closely related field within animal health, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology industries.
• Proven ability to independently lead and close complex transactions (M&A, licensing, commercial partnerships) with advanced financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, contract review and negotiation, and executive-level deal communication.
• Proven ability to build and maintain high-level external partnerships while aligning cross-functional internal stakeholders behind deal rationales.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end strategy, structuring, and execution of complex business development transactions, including M&A, in/out-licensing, commercial agreements, joint ventures, asset divestments.
• Lead term sheet and contract negotiations in close partnership with Elanco Legal and Finance, safeguarding enterprise value, IP rights, and strategic flexibility.
• Own the transaction business case, financial models, and valuation frameworks, authoring high-impact deal overviews and championing deal recommendations through executive governance committees.
• Direct cross-functional diligence and deal teams (R&D, Legal, Finance, Commercial, Manufacturing, etc) to rigorously assess strategic fit, risks, synergies, and post-transaction integration readiness.
• Proactively build and manage external partner relationships while providing strategic insights to senior leaders on industry trends, pipeline gaps, and market opportunities.

Skills

M&A

Licensing

Deal negotiations

Financial modeling

Valuation

Contract review

Executive communication

Education

BS in relevant field

MBA

Job description

Senior Director, Business Development

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end strategy, structuring, and execution of complex business development transactions, including M&A, in/out-licensing, commercial agreements, joint ventures, asset divestments, to expand revenue and optimize pipeline & portfolio.
• Lead term sheet and contract negotiations in close partnership with Elanco Legal and Finance, safeguarding enterprise value, IP rights, and strategic flexibility.
• Own the transaction business case, financial models, and valuation frameworks, authoring high-impact deal overviews and championing deal recommendations through executive governance committees.
• Direct cross‑functional diligence and deal teams (R&D, Legal, Finance, Commercial, Manufacturing, etc) to rigorously assess strategic fit, risks, synergies, and post-transaction integration readiness.
• Proactively build and manage external partner relationships while providing strategic insights to senior leaders on industry trends, pipeline gaps, and market opportunities.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: An Undergraduate Degree (BS) in a relevant scientific or business field.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in business development, corporate development or strategy, or healthcare investment banking/finance, or a closely related field within the animal health, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology industry.
• Top Skills: Proven ability to independently lead and close complex transactions (M&A, licensing, commercial partnerships) combined with advanced financial modeling, valuation, deal structuring, contract review and negotiation, and executive-level deal communication skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain high-level relationships with external partners, while effectively aligning cross‑functional internal stakeholders (Commercial, R&D, Regulatory, Legal, and Finance) behind deal rationales.

What will give you an edge (preferred qualifications):

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in a business or scientific discipline.
• 10+ years of significant animal health or life sciences industry experience with broad cross‑functional understanding of the business and competitive landscape.
• Ability to translate commercial strategy into targeted business development priorities and compelling business cases.
• Demonstrated track record of building extensive external industry networks to source and execute proprietary opportunities.
• Proven ability to influence executive and boardroom-level decision-makers without formal authority across complex global matrix environments.
• High cultural agility with experience leading cross-border transactions and partnering with diverse international stakeholders across multiple time zones.

Additional Information:

Travel: Up to 25% Domestic & International Travel Location: Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

• Multiple relocation packages
• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
• 8-week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Flexible work arrangements
• Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.