Associate Director, Business Development

About Summit:

Summit Therapeutics Inc. is a biopharmaceutical oncology company focused on improving quality of life, increasing potential duration of life, and resolving serious unmet medical needs. Summit’s core values include integrity, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, collaboration, and commitment to people. The company conducts global Phase 3 clinical studies in oncology, including studies in non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Summit is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with additional offices in California, New Jersey, the UK, and Ireland.

Overview of Role:

The Associate Director, Business Development advances the company’s external innovation strategy by identifying, evaluating, and supporting strategic partnerships and combination opportunities. The role works with business development, strategic alliances, alliance management, and cross-functional teams to drive growth through external collaborations and joint clinical trials. Responsibilities include strategy, opportunity evaluation, transaction execution, alliance management, executive communication, innovation initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration. The role is primarily office-based.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Maintain a deep understanding of the oncology competitive landscape, emerging modalities, and deal trends to inform business development strategy and prioritization.
• Evaluate external assets, companies, platforms, and technologies aligned with the company’s oncology strategy and pipeline needs.
• Support or lead deal processes, including diligence, external communications, contracting coordination, and executive materials.
• Contribute to collaboration alliance activities and clinical trial project oversight, governance, and performance tracking.
• Prepare presentations and recommendations for department and executive leadership, translating complex data into actionable insights and plans.
• Identify whitespace opportunities and shape external growth initiatives.
• Partner with R&D, Clinical, Commercial, Market Planning, Legal, and Finance teams to assess strategic fit, risks, and integration requirements.

Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• 7+ years of experience in biopharma, consulting, or pharma investment, with a focus on business development, strategy, and alliances.
• Advanced degree preferred; bachelor’s degree required. A dual scientific and business background is a strong plus.
• Prior oncology drug experience in late-stage development and/or commercial stages required.
• Strong understanding of oncology drug development, scientific platforms, and global commercial dynamics.
• Experience supporting or leading drug development licensing, M&A, or strategic partnership processes required.
• Understanding of or experience with collaboration kickoffs, joint clinical trials, project management, contract implementation, and relationship management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Project.
• Experience with electronic document management systems and document review tools.
• Experience with Smartsheet or MS Project is highly desirable.
• Excellent public speaking, meeting facilitation, and email communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding, and diverse environment with global virtual meetings outside standard business hours.
• Ability to travel to congresses, collaboration meetings, business meetings, and hub office locations.