Senior Advisor - R&D (External Innovation)

About the role

Elanco, a global leader in animal health, is looking for a Senior Advisor on its External Innovation team. You will enrich the company's R&D pipeline by engaging with a diverse network of external innovators such as start-ups, biotech and pharma companies and universities. You will identify, evaluate and propose new assets or technologies in partnership with R&D, Global Strategy, Legal and Regulatory teams, and source and negotiate research agreements.

Key responsibilities

• Map, select and assess innovation opportunities from biotech, start-ups, universities and companies, based on knowledge of target disease biology.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional technical assessments with R&D, Marketing, Legal and Business Development.
• Work with internal scientific teams to design and run experiments that validate external opportunities and support de-risking.
• Manage partner interactions from first contact through negotiation and alliance management.
• Keep up with the external competitive landscape, attend scientific conferences and advise R&D leadership on go/no-go decisions.
• Build relationships with grant funding agencies and other R&D partners and represent Elanco R&D publicly.

Required profile

• DVM or a PhD in a relevant biological field.
• At least 7 years of experience in animal health research, development or a related business development field.
• Preferred: more than 3 years in search and evaluation, business development or alliance management in animal health.
• Preferred: an established network in academia and SMEs in animal health, and experience managing complex collaborations.
• Preferred: deep experience in farm animal or pet health markets and pharmaceutical product development.

Required skills

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, able to influence senior leadership and external partners.
• Able to work independently and make complex business and technical decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a complex, matrix-based organisation.

Travel is 20-30%. Elanco encourages candidates who do not meet every requirement to apply.