Business Development Manager

Cancer Research UK

Business Development Manager

£59000

Cancer Research UK, Manor Park, Newham

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 5 days ago, 13 Sep | Get your application in now to be included in the first week's applications.

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 82cf074bc53c4f6c8d9324ae6c7ad1f1

Full Job Description

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK's innovation engine, which exists to maximise the impact of cancer research and fast-track scientific breakthroughs into patient benefit. We work closely with academia and industry to bridge the gap between discovery science and the market, and drive the development and commercialisation of cancer innovations and discoveries into new medicines and diagnostics.

The Business Development (BD) team within Cancer Research Horizons provides the primary interface between scientific innovation and industry. The team are responsible for business development and transaction activities to connect CRUK and CRH innovations, expertise and capabilities with academia and industry through a broad range of partnering models and commercialisation routes including collaborations, licensing, spin-out formation, and innovative industry alliances.

As a Business Development Manager (BDM), you will play a key role in advancing our drug discovery and early clinical development strategy. By working closely with internal and external stakeholders, building relationships with industry partners and the academic community you will lead the development of opportunities for collaboration to progress both CRUK-funded science and external innovations from target to clinical proof of concept. In addition, you will proactively drive partnering activities for CRH's drug discovery (CRH Therapeutic Innovation; TI) and early development (CRUK Centre for Drug Development; CDD) teams through interactions with pharma, biotech and VC partners, manage deal negotiations and support the commercial strategy for CRH's internal pipeline programs.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to help drive forward CRH's partnering strategy and activities, and to make a major impact on the translation and commercialisation of exciting new therapeutic innovations.

What will I be doing?

  • With a focus on TI and CDD, proactively and competently promoting CRH's drug discovery and development activities, and collaboration and licensing opportunities to potential partners through a variety of channels including visits, presentations, events and participation at partnering meetings and conferences.

  • Undertaking commercial and competitive evaluations for new scientific concepts, therapeutic projects and partnering opportunities as they are advanced into proposals for commercial-academic alliances and collaborations.

  • Working with colleagues in TI and CDD to review new therapeutic project and partnering opportunities in the discovery, preclinical and early clinical space.

  • Leading and supporting commercialisation and partnering strategies for our internal pipeline programs.

  • Negotiating licence agreements, collaboration agreements, and other commercial agreements.

  • Assisting the BD team with business interactions, keeping apprised of industry and research trends and developments (mainly within the discovery space, but more broadly as relevant to key portfolio projects), Please note we're not responsible for the content of job ads, as they're posted by the recruiter. We'll aim to resolve the reported issue and we'll use your feedback to improve the quality of our ads.

    Minimum BSc (or equivalent work & industry experience) in a Life Science discipline, ideally oncology or technology-related.

  • Business development, deal negotiation and/or technology transfer experience in industry, academic or non-profit roles is preferable but not essential. Strong interest in business development and deal making, particularly as it relates to oncology drug discovery and an appetite to develop skills new areas.

  • Broad knowledge and awareness of drug discovery and development (preferably within the oncology sector).

  • An understanding of intellectual property and the steps required to translate scientific innovations into commercial products.

  • Ability to grasp and report varied technical concepts quickly, and design, develop and critique sound business strategies based on scientific, commercial, and financial analysis.

  • Excellent interpersonal skills, able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate without authority with senior personnel.

  • Proven scientific judgement and project management skills combined with operational delivery.


  • Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

    Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

    Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

    Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

    Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

    We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.