Director of External Research & Development

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas—Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease— we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller, happier lives.

Our award‑winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Director of External Research & Development

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role within the External R&D group of Business Development you will be part of a team responsible for leading Amgen’s business development efforts in identifying and evaluating innovative therapeutics being developed outside of Amgen within the Inflammation/autoimmune therapeutic space for potential in‑licensing, M&A, or collaborations.

The successful candidate will develop and nurture a network of key industry and academic contacts to ensure robust communication of ideas, interests and information between the external community and internal groups. The role requires proactive efforts to manage the search and identification of opportunities through networking and reviews of the external landscape and assessing and prioritizing based on Amgen’s therapeutic area strategy.

The role includes leading the technical evaluations of opportunities by creating and managing cross‑functional review teams, providing recommendations based on robust scientific and drug industry knowledge, and ensuring appropriate and efficient decision‑making processes. This person will ensure efficient reviews and engage in business negotiations and work with legal to execute contractual agreements for certain projects.

The candidate will be responsible for leading strategic discussions and presentations, collaborating closely with senior management, R&D, and Commercial to develop a set of priorities for licensure or M&A. The role will also include the support of out‑licensing activities.

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is a leader with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in a scientific field & 4 years of experience in drug development industry and/or biopharma business development.
• Master’s degree in a scientific field & 7 years of experience in drug development industry and/or biopharma business development.
• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field & 9 years of experience in R&D and/or biopharma business development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in scientific discipline, with robust working knowledge in inflammation, oncology or other therapeutic area.
• 4+ years of management and/or leadership experience in business and drug development activities, and strong technical R&D experience along with business development and licensing experience.
• Strong leadership, scientific, organizational, communication, and project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent presentation skills. Effective communication skills pertaining to scientific and business development. Must demonstrate ability to foresee and solve problems, and prioritize and meet deadlines. Strong team player, experience in successfully managing direct reports and a demonstrated ability to interface effectively with all levels of staff across differing functional expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to create and build relationships with internal and external parties.
• Professional demeanor with strong decision making.
• Be able to work independently, manage large cross‑functional teams, and mentor individuals.

What You Can Expect Of Us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well‑being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts.
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales‑based incentive plan.
• Stock‑based long‑term incentives.
• Award‑winning time‑off plans.
• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.

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Application deadline

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.