Director OF Business Development

Overview of Role

The Director, Business Development plays a critical role in advancing the company’s external innovation strategy by identifying, evaluating, and supporting the execution of strategic partnerships or licensing opportunities. This leader works closely with the Department Head and cross‑functional teams to drive company growth through external collaborations, including joint clinical trials. The ideal candidate brings strong scientific and business acumen, transaction and alliance experience, R&D operational capabilities, and the ability to navigate complex strategic landscapes with speed, rigor, and creativity. This is a hands‑on, end‑to‑end experience role, where you’ll engage on strategy, searching and securing opportunities from a business development perspective, as well as operationalizing and contributing to the department’s maintenance of strategic alliances.

Responsibilities

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Partner with R&D, Clinical, Commercial, Market Planning, Legal, and Finance teams to assess strategic fit, risks, and integration requirements for potential deals.
• Strategy & Scenario Planning – Maintain a deep understanding of the oncology competitive landscape, emerging modalities, and deal trends to inform BD strategy and prioritization. Partner with internal experts and strategy team members to shape future scenarios and action plans.
• Opportunity Identification & Assessment – Evaluate external assets, platforms, and technologies aligned with the company’s oncology strategy and pipeline priorities. Ability to triangulate and prioritize opportunities.
• Transaction Support & Execution – Support or lead deal processes including diligence, external communication with potential collaborators, coordinating contracting and related requirements, and preparation of executive materials.
• Alliance & Relationship Management – Contribute to collaboration alliance activities or clinical trial project oversight with partner, governance and performance tracking of key alliances, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and operational milestones.
• Executive Communication – Prepare high‑impact presentations and recommendations for the Department Head or executive leadership, translating complex data into actionable insights and plans. Ability to serve on joint committees and/or facilitate alliance working groups.
• Innovation Mindset & Strategic Agility – Bring a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach to identifying whitespace opportunities and shaping external growth initiatives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Experience, Education, and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (MBA, Master’s, etc.). A dual scientific and business background is a strong plus.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in biopharma, with consulting or pharma investment focusing on business development, strategy, and alliances.
• Prior oncology drug experience in late‑stage development and/or commercial stage required; strong understanding of oncology drug development, scientific platforms, and global commercial dynamics.
• Experience supporting or leading pharma or biotech drug development licensing, M&A, or strategic partnership processes required.
• Understanding or experience in collaboration kick‑offs, joint clinical trial or project management to ensure successful contract implementation and relationship management.
• Proficient user of MS Office suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Project), electronic document management systems, and document review tools; can quickly build presentations for leaders and teams.
• Prior experience with technology tools (e.g., Smartsheets, MS Project) in planning, maintenance and communication of information is highly desirable.
• Excellent communicator in public speaking, meeting facilitation and email communication.
• Ability to excel in a fast‑paced, demanding, and diverse environment that includes global virtual meetings outside standard business hours.
• Ability to travel to key congresses, collaboration meetings, or business meetings, including semi‑frequent travel to hub office locations in Summit territories.
• Role is primarily office‑based.

Compensation

Pay: $200,000 – $230,000 USD. Total compensation may include bonus, stock, benefits, and other variable components.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Summit Therapeutics Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in creating and maintaining a diverse environment. The company does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, or promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.