Executive Director, Business Development (Search & Evaluation) – US or EU

Job Summary –  Ideally located in the US, but Europe also an option

The Executive Director, Search & Evaluation will be a critical role at Zai Lab, and focused on Neuroscience, Auto-Immune Diseases, and Anti-Infectives. This role will work in partnership with a talented and collaborative team across our Research, Development, Commercial, and BD organizations to identify and secure access to breakthrough innovation emerging from academic and research institutes, early-stage biotech and Pharmaceutical companies. Ideally located in the US, but Europe also an option

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of Zai Lab’s pipeline, portfolio, technology and capabilities
• Proactively search, identify, and evaluate potential partnering opportunities that are aligned with Zai Lab’s R&D and business development objectives
• In collaboration with a cross-functional team of experts, lead scientific and technical diligence of potential partnering opportunities and establish strategic rationale (benefit/risk profile) for potential deals
• Work in partnership with BD and research colleagues to synthesize scientific and business information in preparing and presenting opportunity proposals to Senior Leadership and the Board for feedback and approval
• Identify potential partners, prepare capability/pitch decks, prepare analyses of comparable deals, partner with key stakeholders across all functions, and coordinate due diligence efforts.
• Support negotiation of term sheets and review of contracts. 
• Closely monitor the competitive landscape and medical/scientific environment
• Maintain a Tracking Log/Data base with all opportunities reviewed, including company contact information and details on projects declined/monitored/active
• Be an ambassador for Zai Lab at therapeutic and/or Bio partnering conferences

REQUIRED

• PhD with 12 years relevant experience of which 5 years are experience in tech transfer, venture capital, life sciences consulting, or biopharmaceutical research or business development; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

PREFERRED

• Familiarity with and experience in Auto-Immune diseases strongly preferred
• A strategic and creative thinker who can translate scientific and technical information into clear, understandable, and compelling summaries for a senior audience
• Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical drug discovery and development process from early discovery to clinical development
• Emerging network and networking skills to reach out to a broad range of industry decision-makers to keep on top of emerging opportunities
• Ability to work, communicate, collaborate, and lead internal cross-functional teams and external stakeholders as a team-player with transparency in a data-driven, fast-paced, and exciting environment
• Capability and comfort with prioritizing multiple projects, deliverables, and timelines to exercise thoughtful judgment, problem-solving and decision-making
• A leader and role model who operates with an entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, independence, transparency, and exemplifies the Zai Lab values with a focus on improving the lives of patients and families.
• Ability to build strong relationships with co-workers of various backgrounds and expertise
• Ability to function at a high level in a team setting
• Ideally located in the US, but Europe also an option

Zai Lab US requires all employees who are working onsite or who are in customer facing positions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (subject to any legally required exemptions)

At Zai, we are proud of the gender diversity of our company and our promotion of women in biotech. We have achieved gender base pay equity at all levels, 58% of our employees are women and 54% of our management positions are held by women. We are committed to the health of patients and our planet. That’s why our environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance strategy, called “Trust for Life” is integrated within our business.

Disclaimer: This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirement for the position. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability.