Director, Business Development – M&A

Essential Pharma are seeking a new Business Development Director to join the M&A team. You will identify, evaluate, and execute strategic business opportunities including mergers, acquisitions and in-licensing with the objective of enhancing the Essential’s competitive position. This role represents an expansion of the team following our recently announced €900 million recapitalisation. Apply Today!

What You Will Do

• Present potential acquisition and in-licensing targets for Board and Senior Management approval; drive the team forward in assessing and acquiring targets from search and evaluation, initial outreach to vendors, offer submission, due diligence, valuation, negotiation, deal signing to close. You will also be responsible for ensuring you share knowledge within the team and broaden knowledge of M&A activity within the business.
• Develop and implement business development and M&A strategies aligned with the company's long-term goals.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, competitive landscape, and potential opportunities for growth.
• Identify and evaluate potential targets for mergers, acquisitions, in-licensing and strategic partnerships.
• Maintain a pipeline of potential opportunities through networking, industry events, and market research.
• Lead due diligence efforts for potential acquisitions and partnerships, including financial, operational, and legal assessments.
• Coordinate with internal and external experts to conduct comprehensive evaluations of target companies.
• Develop and negotiate term sheets, agreements, and contracts in collaboration with legal and financial teams.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, meetings, and other events.
• Conduct financial modelling and valuation analyses for potential deals.
• Prepare detailed business cases and presentations for senior management and Board review.

What We Do

Essential Pharma is an international specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to maintaining access to clinically differentiated, niche medicines in small patient populations. Our high-impact portfolio includes over 300 medicines covering ten therapeutic areas, with a focus on the central nervous system (CNS), gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and rare diseases. Our products treat patients in more than 70 countries.

We are proactive in identifying low volume, difficult-to-manufacture therapeutic products, and late-stage clinical development assets that target rare diseases. Our recent acquisition of Renaissance Pharmaceuticals is a significant milestone for Essential Pharma, the groups second product for treatment of a rare disease, and the first development-stage asset in our portfolio.

In December 2024, Essential Pharma announced a €900 million recapitalisation with partners Gyrus Capital, welcoming AlpInvest and new strategic financing from Sixth Street. Our UK team is comprised of 60 people, based out of our offices in Egham, Surrey. We also have colleagues based across Malta, France, Spain and Switzerland.

What You Will Bring

• You will be excellent at leading the commercial assessments process.
• Demonstrable experience in business development and M&A gained in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry as part of an in-house team or boutique advisory.
• Proven track record of managing deal processes.
• You will be a natural relationship builder and communicator, you will have a great understanding of the industry and key conferences.
• Experience in rare disease and US markets would be highly desirable.

What We Offer

• Highly Competitive Base Salary – from £95,000
• Agile Working – we lead by our values of putting collaboration and dynamism at the centre of how we work, 2 days a week onsite would be required. We offer flexibility and trust from day one.
• Discretionary Annual Performance Bonus
• Healthcare Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Work from Abroad
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• £150 towards your home office.

What To Expect

• We wholeheartedly embrace agile working, recognizing that it enables individuals to bring their authentic selves to work. Our commitment to living by our values forms the bedrock of our inclusive culture, where everyone's voice is valued and respected.
• Treating each other as adults fosters a sense of autonomy and responsibility, while our inherent social nature is nurtured through engaging groups and events. We understand the significance of forging connections in the workplace, and our dedication to facilitating these bonds is underscored by regular access to our CEO. Grounded in the principles of dynamism, responsibility, trustworthiness, and collaboration, our values guide our interactions. Furthermore, our unwavering dedication to employee growth and learning is evident through our commitment to personalized development plans, as we believe in fostering an environment where all individuals can thrive.
• Right from the interview stage, we encourage candidates to ask us questions, as we understand that it's just as important for us to be the right fit for you as it is for you to be the right fit for us.