Director of Business Development, Europe
Director of Business Development, Europe

Director of Business Development, Europe

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Viatris

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic growth opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector across Europe.
  • Company: Join Viatris, a global leader in healthcare innovation and access.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, career progression, and work-life balance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 6-10+ years in pharmaceutical business development with strong financial acumen.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

At VIATRIS, we see healthcare not as it is but as it should be. We act courageously and are uniquely positioned to be a source of stability in a world of evolving healthcare needs. Viatris empowers people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life. We do so via:

  • Access – Providing high quality trusted medicines regardless of geography or circumstance;
  • Leadership – Advancing sustainable operations and innovative solutions to improve patient health;
  • Partnership – Leveraging our collective expertise to connect people to products and services.

Our global portfolio includes best-in-class, iconic brand-name products as well as global key brands; generics, including branded and complex generics; and other offerings across a wide range of therapeutic areas. We are committed to helping create healthier communities worldwide through education, outreach, and better access to treatment. For those driven to live their lives with purpose, Viatris helps employees realise their full potential by creating a collaborative culture that fosters courage and resilience. Viatris is more than just a place to work. This is a place to make a difference in the world.

The Director of Business Development, Europe will lead the identification, evaluation, and execution of strategic growth opportunities across Europe, with a primary focus on generics, complex generics, established brands, and mature brands nearing loss of exclusivity (LOE). In addition to advancing core portfolio growth, this role will evaluate select innovative product opportunities that complement the company’s broader commercial and operational strategy. This position requires strong transaction execution capability and close partnership with European Commercial, R&D, and Operations leadership to ensure opportunities are commercially viable, technically feasible, and operationally executable. The Director will play a key role in implementing the regional BD strategy and delivering high-quality transactions.

  • Identify and prioritize opportunities across generics, complex generics, established brands, and mature brands nearing LOE within Europe.
  • Evaluate innovative product opportunities that complement the core portfolio and align with the company’s scale and capabilities.
  • Support development and management of a strong regional BD pipeline aligned with commercial and global priorities.
  • Monitor European regulatory, reimbursement, and competitive dynamics to inform opportunity selection.
  • Lead execution of regional transactions, including:
  • Product in-licensing
  • Asset acquisitions
  • Divestitures
  • Co-development partnerships
  • Strategic alliances
  • Coordinate diligence efforts across Legal, Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
  • Prepare investment materials and present recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums.
  • Work closely with European Leadership to align BD priorities with market strategy and revenue objectives.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with European pharmaceutical companies, specialty firms, and licensing partners.
  • For this role, we’re looking for a candidate who has an effective combination of the following qualifications, skills, and experiences:

    • 6-10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical business development, corporate development, or commercial strategy within Europe.
    • Strong knowledge of European generics, complex generics, established brands, and LOE lifecycle strategies.
    • Experience executing licensing, acquisition, or partnership transactions.
    • Strong financial acumen and familiarity with valuation concepts.
    • Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
    • Strategic mindset with ability to balance execution and portfolio evolution.
    • Fluent in English; additional European languages preferred.

    At Viatris, we are dedicated to building a truly diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t fully align with every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

    At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits, and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives, and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others. You will also have the opportunity to access excellent career progression opportunities and work-life balance initiatives.

    At Viatris, diversity and inclusion are essential to our mission. The diversity we foster in all aspects of our business can be one of our greatest strengths in redefining healthcare, not as it is, but as it should be.

    Corporate social responsibility is fundamental to the Viatris mission. We work to advance responsible and sustainable operations and leverage our collective expertise to empower people to live healthier at every stage of life, recognizing that our actions affect the stakeholders and communities we serve.

    Viatris is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    Director of Business Development, Europe employer: Viatris

    At Viatris, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in healthcare. As a Director of Business Development in Europe, you will benefit from competitive salaries, excellent career progression opportunities, and a strong focus on work-life balance, all while contributing to our mission of providing high-quality medicines globally. Join us in redefining healthcare and be part of a team that values diversity and sustainability.
    Viatris

    Contact Detail:

    Viatris Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Director of Business Development, Europe

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the pharmaceutical industry, especially those who have experience in business development. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching Viatris and its role in the generics market. Understand their products and strategies, so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in transaction execution and strategic partnerships can drive growth at Viatris. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Viatris team.

    We think you need these skills to ace Director of Business Development, Europe

    Pharmaceutical Business Development
    Corporate Development
    Commercial Strategy
    Knowledge of European Generics
    Complex Generics
    Established Brands
    LOE Lifecycle Strategies
    Transaction Execution
    Licensing Transactions
    Acquisition Transactions
    Partnership Transactions
    Financial Acumen
    Valuation Concepts
    Cross-Functional Collaboration
    Strategic Mindset

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director of Business Development role. Highlight your experience in pharmaceutical business development and how it aligns with our mission at Viatris.

    Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use numbers and examples to illustrate your success in executing licensing or acquisition transactions.

    Research Viatris: Take some time to understand our values and what we stand for. Mention how your personal values align with our commitment to creating healthier communities and advancing sustainable operations in your application.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at Viatris.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Viatris

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you have a solid understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape in Europe, especially around generics and complex generics. Brush up on recent trends, regulatory changes, and key players in the market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

    ✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset

    Prepare to discuss how you've successfully identified and executed business development opportunities in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to balance execution with portfolio evolution. This will illustrate your fit for the Director role and your capability to drive growth.

    ✨Build Relationships

    Since this role involves developing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, think about how you can convey your collaborative skills during the interview. Share stories that showcase your ability to work cross-functionally and build partnerships, as this is crucial for success in business development.

    ✨Prepare for Financial Discussions

    Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss valuation concepts. You might be asked to evaluate potential transactions or present investment materials, so being comfortable with numbers and financial analysis will give you an edge. Practice explaining complex financial ideas in simple terms to demonstrate your clarity of thought.

    Director of Business Development, Europe
    Viatris

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