Senior Manager Business Development - Early Stage (f/m/d)

In this key role, you will act as the primary interface between R&D and Business Development, identifying, assessing, and advancing early-stage external assets that align with AOP Health´s strategy in rare diseases and critical care. You will partner closely with R&D — from scouting and scientific triage through to business case development, financial due diligence, and transaction readiness — translating scientific innovation into business opportunities.What Your Day To Day Will Look LikePartner closely with R&D to scout early-stage innovation across academia, biotech, and venture networksEngage in early scientific discussions to assess strategic fit and feasibility within the company’s development framework.Maintain visibility of relevant early pipelines, new modalities, and enabling technologies.Contribute to defining search areas and innovation priorities, ensuring alignment with R&D leadership.Lead structured assessment of external assets from scientific concept through investment case.Translate scientific rationales and early data packages into quantitative commercial business models.Develop and own the integrated Business Case for prioritized opportunities, incorporating clinical, regulatory, market, and financial perspectives.Engage cross-functional experts (R&D, Commercial, Medical, Finance) to challenge and refine assumptions.Serve as process owner for the internal assessment of early-stage opportunities, coordinating contributions from scientific and business functions.Oversee governance processes, ensuring timely and well-documented decision-making throughout evaluation and diligence stages.Support the Business Development Team Lead in negotiations, due diligence, and term sheet developmentEnsure analytical consistency, traceability, and clarity across all Business Development deliverables.Act as the key Business Development liaison for R&D in external innovation activities.Facilitate the seamless transition of opportunities from scientific triage to business diligence.Support the development of valuation models, commercial assessments, and strategic recommendations for presentation to senior leadership.Your Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline required; an advanced degree (PhD and/or MBA) strongly preferred.Minimum 5 years of experience in Search & Evaluation, R&D, or Business Development within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.Demonstrated expertise in scouting new business opportunities with multiple tools at every stage of development with focus on early-stage assets.Deep understanding of drug development processes, from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept.Scientific and/or business familiarity with key therapeutic areas including Oncology/Hematology, Rare Diseases, Respiratory, and Cardiovascular/Metabolic Disorders.Strong analytical acumen with proficiency in financial modeling, data interpretation, and market forecasting.Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholdersOur OfferAn open corporate culture with the opportunity to contribute your own ideasWorking independently in a collegial and committed teamModern working environment with good public transport connections (U4 - Heiligenstadt)Flexible working hours (flexitime/time-out days), bonus scheme, additional benefits and employee eventsStructured onboarding and support through a buddy systemDue to legal requirements, we are obliged to disclose the collective agreement minimum salary, which is EUR EUR 77,644 gross per year, based on full-time employment. However, our actual remuneration packages are market-oriented and aligned with your qualifications and professional experience.