Manager, Deal Finance & M&A in Cambridge

AstraZeneca continues to pursue value-enhancing transactions that supplement its product portfolio and development pipeline, and to deliver maximum value from existing assets through partnerships, collaborations, out-licences and divestments that create value and share risk. AstraZeneca Business Development is a globally integrated organisation with world-class capabilities in strategic planning, search & evaluation, transaction execution and alliance & integration management. It is varied, fast-moving work that offers an unrivalled opportunity to ‘make a difference’. Within it, Deal Finance leads the financial aspects of Business Development and M&A — valuation, financial analysis and deal structuring — and provides dedicated support in the negotiation and execution of transactions globally.

As a valued member of Deal Finance, the Manager provides dedicated financial support in evaluating and executing M&A, licensing, spin-out, collaboration and other structured transactions, working closely with senior Deal Finance colleagues. It is an ideal move for someone with a keen interest in the pharmaceutical industry who thrives in a fast-paced environment — whether taking their first step into industry or broadening their finance business-partnering skills — and who is genuinely excited about using AI to work smarter. Deal Finance is reimagining valuation and deal analysis for the AI era. You’ll use generative AI and automation to accelerate research, due diligence and modelling — freeing you to focus on judgment, insight and the relationships that close great deals. Here, technical skill and sharp commercial judgment are amplified by AI.

Main responsibilities

• Support the construction of business cases, ensuring that all key issues, sensitivities and risks are evaluated and accurately reflected.
• Build accurate valuation and transaction models, using automation and AI-assisted tooling, that reflect the expected financial statement implications of potential transactions.
• Use generative AI and advanced analytics to accelerate industry research and company and product analysis, drawing insight from large, unstructured datasets.
• Provide input into deal structuring, supporting the assessment of transaction value and financial terms, including review of contracts and term sheets for their financial implications.
• Support financial due diligence, coordinating with AZ tax, accounting and treasury experts as required.
• Present findings, alongside a senior Deal Finance colleague, to AZ senior management and other internal decision-making bodies, and support the preparation of financial sections of papers and briefings.
• Work across multiple deals at different stages of the deal cycle, using excellent time management and prioritisation.
• Help embed AI and automation within Deal Finance, sharing what works and building reusable tools and templates.

Essential requirements

• A strong academic and professional foundation — degree from a leading university, plus ideally a relevant quantitative or financial qualification (ACA, CFA, MBA or equivalent), or working towards one.
• Financial fundamentals — a solid understanding of cash vs. profit and of value-based cash flow metrics, plus a working knowledge of relevant technical accounting principles.
• Financial analysis and modelling — strong financial analysis, valuation and financial-modelling skills (particularly MS Excel), with confident, clear storytelling.
• Data analysis — the ability to collate, clean and analyse large datasets to surface the key drivers of value and risk.
• AI curiosity — comfort adopting new technology using AI and generative-AI tools to accelerate analysis, research and modelling, paired with the judgment to challenge and validate their output.
• A compelling communicator — able to convey financial recommendations to both financial and non-financial audiences in a concise, collaborative and impactful way.
• Energetic, resilient and tenacious — able to manage multiple projects under tight timelines in a fast-paced environment, working both independently and as part of multifunctional transaction teams.
• Genuine curiosity — a keen interest in business development, emerging technology and the wider pharmaceutical industry.

Desirable requirements

• Industry experience — ideally within a Biotech or Pharma corporate environment.
• Hands-on AI and data tooling — experience with generative AI, machine learning, automation or data-science tools.

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, where you’re empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. Ours is an inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and is committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.