Senior Director, Licensing Officer - Oncology

Bayer; Whippany (NJ); On-site; USD 220,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayer in Whippany, NJ seeks a Senior Director, Licensing Officer - Oncology to drive high-value licensing opportunities, acquisitions, and collaborations. The role requires deep oncology science, strong business judgement, and senior-level partnering skills to represent Bayer externally.

The candidate will lead screening, due diligence, and governance activities, managing cross-functional teams and high-stakes negotiations, with travel up to 40% to engage partners and conferences.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences or related field.
• Deep Oncology landscape knowledge, including targets, modalities and development.
• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical licensing processes.
• Hands-on transaction experience is a plus.
• Ability to influence executives and travel up to 40%.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical, clinical and commercial assessment of Oncology licensing opportunities.
• Establish and maintain screening processes aligned with Oncology stakeholders.
• Lead due diligence teams to identify risks and mitigation.
• Present assessments to leadership and governance for approval and contracting.
• Participate in or lead transactions including business case development and negotiation.
• Serve as Bayer's external representative to potential partners and conferences.
• Shape BD&L and strategic initiatives across therapeutic areas.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Presentation skills

Business acumen

Travel up to 40%

Education

PhD/PharmD/MD/MS or equivalent

Job description

At Bayer, we believe work should matter. Every day, our teams push toward a future where "Health for all, Hunger for none" is within reach, and every role, from the lab to the field to the boardroom, helps us get there. We give people the ownership to shape outcomes, the support to grow through new skills and experiences, and a global community where different perspectives are valued. If you want your work to count and the room to become your best, you'll find it here.

Senior Director, Licensing Officer - Oncology

The Senior Director, Scientific Licensing Officer identifies and advances high-value licensing, acquisition, and strategic collaboration opportunities that support Bayer Pharmaceuticals' Oncology strategy. This role requires deep scientific expertise and Oncology landscape knowledge, strong commercial acumen and business judgement, and exceptional partnering skills. Serving as Bayer's primary external representative to potential partners, the Senior Director evaluates opportunities, presents recommendations to senior leadership and governance committees, and may lead or support relevant transactions.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSBILITIES

Opportunity Screening & Assessment

• Lead technical, clinical, and commercial assessment of Oncology licensing and acquisition opportunities, applying deep scientific and landscape expertise to validate potential and synthesize findings for decision-making.
• Establish and maintain screening processes, coordinating multifunctional input and aligning screening strategy with Oncology stakeholders.

Due Diligence & Governance

• Lead due diligence teams to identify, summarize, and mitigate project risks.
• Present assessments and recommendations to leadership and governance committees to secure approval through term sheet, diligence, and contracting stages, managing stakeholders to build alignment and support.

Transactions

• Potentially participate in or lead (or co-lead) transactions including business case development, valuation, term sheet and contract negotiation, due diligence and transition to alliance management.

External Representation & Partnering

• Serve as Bayer's primary point of contact for potential partners, including representation at partnering and oncology conferences.
• Build and expand external networks across biotech, pharma, investors, and ecosystem partners to proactively source and evaluate opportunities.

Strategic Contribution & Alliances

• Shape and contribute to broader BD&L and therapeutic area strategic initiatives.
• Potentially manage selected alliances to deliver deal value and ensure effective partner governance.

WHO YOU ARE

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, MS, or equivalent) in life sciences or a related field.
• Deep understanding of the Oncology landscape (targets, modalities, market dynamics), emerging science, drug discovery, pharmaceutical R&D, and Oncology drug development (clinical endpoints, standards of care).
• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical licensing processes
• Hands-on transaction experience (leading, shaping, negotiating) a plus.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills; able to distill complex information and influence at the executive level.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment and drive timely decisions.
• Ability to build trust and influence stakeholders across cultures and seniority levels.
• Willingness to travel up to 40%.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years of relevant industry experience;
• Equity research experience;
• At least 7 years of pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience, including Business Development;
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting search, evaluation and diligence on executed transactions.

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $220,240.00 - $330,360.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.

This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

This posting will be available for application until at least 11/06/2026

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Notice for U.S. Visitors: All information on this site is subject to compliance with local rule and regulations as they may vary from time to time and across different geographies, including, without limitation, U.S. Executive Orders. Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.

Location: United States : New Jersey : Whippany || United States : Massachusetts : Cambridge

Division: Pharmaceuticals

Reference Code: 892619

Contact Us Email: [e-mail]