Search and Evaluation Director, Respiratory & Immunology; R&I

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.

• 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.

• 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…