About the role:

Owkin has an ambitious growth strategy focused around data access, diagnostics and biopharma. Corporate development is pivotal to ensure successful and scalable growth. 

The Director, Corporate Development has the opportunity to shape Owkin’s data strategy, AI discovery capabilities, and diagnostics activities. Interfacing with C-level executives and senior managers across the company to understand and help shape strategic priorities, identify and engage with external parties with capabilities relevant to those priorities, and negotiate and close transactions with those external partners. 

As a Director, Corporate Development, you will identify potential business partners and negotiate agreements, while working with other teams to ensure alignment of company goals, as set by senior leadership. To assist in Owkin’s rapid growth, we are currently searching for an entrepreneurially minded professional capable of understanding the complex interconnectivity of business, science, AI technologies, drug discovery and development, as well as executing on every step needed to achieve big goals. 

The Director, Corporate Development will be a part of Owkin’s business leadership team. The position will require intimate cross team collaboration with Data Platform, R&D, Medical, Diagnostics, Legal, IP, Commercial and Finance teams.

In particular, you will:

• Lead the evaluation and execution of corporate development activities, including strategic partnerships, strategic investments, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and mergers
• Collaborate with leadership to craft external growth strategies across the organization to accelerate and scale Owkin’s data access, distribution of Owkin’s AI diagnostic tools, consolidate Owkin’s AI engine capabilities and drug discovery methodologies
• Assist with the identification and assessment of growth and expansion initiatives; develop organization and business team-specific external growth strategies, monitor industry trends, references and maintain external relationships
• Work closely with senior management across Owkin, to understand business objectives, and organizational context to make informed external growth strategies and decisions
• Interface and coordinate with key functions depending on deal type including Data Platform, R&D, Medical, Diagnostics, Legal, IP , Commercial, and Finance
• Contribute to product roadmap and go-to-market strategies
• Explore, evaluate, source, plan and execute transactions: develop optimal financing structure, support valuation, negotiate terms, coordinate and lead due diligence process, and post-closing integration planning and implementation
• Develop business cases on potential transactions and strategic deals, evaluate strategic fit, financial returns and risks, and present business cases and recommendations to senior leadership and board of directors
• Transaction types you can expect to be involved in include, Strategic Data Access Agreements, Data Management Agreements, Product Development Agreements, Global Distribution Agreements, Licensing Agreements, Target Validation Agreements, Strategic Supply Agreements, other various partnerships, venture capital investments, and M&A
• Interface with key decision makers at major biopharma companies, emerging drug discovery companies, tech and biotech's start-ups, precision medicine players, and strategic data partners including biobanks, major health systems and disease centres
• Craft messaging and presentations and attend meetings with external parties (researching and gathering background material as needed)
• Maintain deal pipeline report for senior management and C-level executives
• Maintain return tracker and prepare periodic updates to C-level executives and board members on deals performance
• Maintain a strong network of industry relevant connections (i.e., venture capitalists, bankers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, key opinion leaders) to identify and evaluate opportunities
• Represent Owkin at scientific events and conferences to identify strategic partners, monitor market trends and report internally
• Perform management responsibilities including, but not limited to: hiring, coaching and development, rewards and recognition, performance and productivity management
• Support Owkin’s senior management in achieving their vision to transform biomedical research and help provide better drugs to patients faster

 

Position is based in our Paris, London, New York, Boston or Nantes offices or remotely.

 

About you

We are looking for someone who has a fascination with innovative research and Artificial Intelligence, the future of clinical research, life sciences and medicine, and is passionate about tackling the most complex health challenges. 

• You have a University Degree with a finance background, and a Master 's Degree in Business Administration or; you have a strong science background preferably a Masters/PhD degree in Sciences, Technology (Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, HEOR, Genetics, Oncology, Statistics, AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, etc…)
• You have extensive experience in corporate development, M&A, venture capital, private equity, investment banking, strategy consulting, with direct experience executing transactions, strategic deals and investments
• You have proven experience in a management or leadership role
• You have extensive experience in biotech, life sciences, pharmaceutical or healthcare industries
• You have strong knowledge of the healthcare and biopharma sectors (including software providers, biotech's, pharma tech transfer offices, academia etc…)
• You have strong subject matter expertise and first-hand execution experience in mergers, acquisitions & divestitures, corporate development, strategic partnerships, purchasing/distribution agreements, development contracts, licensing, related processes, due diligence, and negotiation methods
• You have deep understanding of IP and legal concepts in contracting and their implications in the context of licensing, distribution, co-development and other deals
• You have successful record of accomplishment of signed deals and a high level of professional credibility
• You have a record of high achievement, meeting your OKRs and KPIs
• You have proven ability to screen and prioritize business opportunities
• You have extensive experience in leading due diligence, involving internal teams and external advisors / consultants
• You have strong skills in negotiating deal terms and successfully signing contracts
• You are familiar with business intelligence tools and analysis of market trends 
• You have the capability to simultaneously lead and manage multiple high complexity projects
• You have the ability to navigate and manage in a matrixed environment
• You have a collaborative mindset, emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt quickly to change 
• You have strong interpersonal and communication skills, you master the key principles of negotiation, and are able to convince/influence others both internally and externally
• You have extensive experience preparing presentations, proposals and meetings with C-level executives, senior management, and Board directors
• You bring a strong book of relationships across healthcare and biopharma, and across DD services provides, IP law firms, and financial institutions
• You have the capacity to both work independently and represent Owkin, while being a team player and collaborate with multiple teams across the organization
• You are hands-on, efficient, proactive articulate and possess integrity, professionalism and no work ego
• You have excellent communication, management and organizational skills: you have the ability to prepare technical and business reports and oral presentations
• You are a strong computer literate (Google suite, Slack, Salesforce, etc…)
• You are excited to work hard in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing, well-funded company with real potential to make an impact on the lives of patients.