Global Business Development Lead

CEPIis an innovative partnership between public, private,philanthropicand civilorganisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central toCEPI’s pandemic-beating plan is the‘100 Days Mission’ – its goal to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days.

CEPI’s work has delivered world firsts for vaccines against many of its priority pathogens including the first licensed Chikungunya vaccine, the first ever Lassa fever, Nipah and MERS vaccines to reach Phase II trials and the first Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate to be studied in Phase II in an endemic region. CEPI has also supported programmes to generate much-needed data to expand access to Ebola and Mpox vaccines.

CEPI was among the first funders of COVID-19 vaccines, ultimately building one of the world’s largest portfolios, seven of which were licensed. The Coalition also conceptualised and co-founded COVAX, which delivered nearly two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 146 countries , saving an estimated 2.7 million lives in lower-income regions.

Earlier this year, CEPI launched its CEPI 3.0 Strategy (covering ) which will systematically reduce the likelihood and impact of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality.

CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC.

In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow. Learn more at

CEPI is looking for a Global Business Development Lead to join its Business Development team in the Access and Business Development division. This role will act as a recognised global expert in business development and alliance management, driving CEPI’s business development strategy and activities to enable faster and more equitable development and supply of products through research, development and manufacturing enablers and networks.

The role will drive strategic initiatives, foster global partnerships, and lead matrix project teams and cross-functional working groups to achieve specific milestones and objectives acting as an influential voice for change within CEPI and across the wider industry. The role will be based in London or Washington DC and report to the Head of Business Development Disease X.
This is a full-time fixed term position for 12 months.

• Creates opportunities for initial investment and subsequent increased collaboration alongside technical colleagues such as the external development team and programme leads.
• Frames funding mechanisms and deal structures, evaluates deal complexity, and leads negotiations to their timely conclusion.
• Works with Core Pathogens and Disease X teams to drive the co-creation of deal models and archetypes for different enabler and network scenarios.
• With our partners, drives the co-creation and evolution of sustainable business models and access plans that enable technical, commercial and equitable access needs to be met.
• Builds trusting, long-lasting and potentially multi-faceted partnerships capable of delivering CEPI's objectives and acts as alliance manager to partners where assigned.
• Identifies, evaluates and addresses actual or potential issues with partnerships, making good business decisions in close cooperation with the budget owner and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provides advice on business and alliance management strategy, and inputs to strategy and portfolio approach.
• Collaborates with the…