Temporary In-Licensing Manager-Pharmaceutical

Job Vacancy: Temporary In-licensing Manager Pharmaceutical Sector

Location: Greater Milan area, Italy (other locations may be considered)

Department: Business Development Affairs
Reports to: General Manager

Ideal candidates will have experience in medium-sized companies, where resourcefulness and the ability to handle a variety of tasks including those beyond their core responsibilities are essential.

Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Business Development Manager with very high experience in in-licensing successful products, to drive our international growth in the pharmaceutical sector with a primary focus in Italy.

The successful candidate will lead in-licensing activities, forge strategic partnerships, and expand our presence in global markets, with a special emphasis on strategic commercial expansion across Europe, particularly in Italy. This role requires a strong track record in pharmaceutical in-licensing, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to build and maintain high-value relationships with key stakeholders worldwide.

Pre-requisites

• Significant experience in pharmaceutical in-licensing and international business development, ideally with added-value products, niche therapies, biosimilars, specialty pharmaceuticals, or high-value generics.
• Proven track record in negotiating and closing high-value in-licensing and distribution agreements.
• Established network within the global pharmaceutical industry, particularly in  Italy, and broader EU markets.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to evaluate market opportunities and risks.
• Very proactive and enthusiastic manager with a pragmatic, results-driven approach, excellent ability to work autonomously.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building abilities.
• Fluent in English (both written and spoken).

Key Responsibilities

1. In-Licensing

• Identify and evaluate opportunities for the in-licensing of pharmaceutical products, with a focus on Rx, specialty, and high-potential therapies.
• Secure strategic partnerships with global or regional developers/manufacturers.
• Lead end-to-end negotiations, from initial engagement through to contract execution, including licensing and distribution agreements.
• Ensure all in-licensing activities are fully compliant with internal governance, regulatory frameworks, and local/international laws.

2. Strategic Market Expansion

• Conduct in-depth market research and competitive intelligence to assess potential for portfolio growth, using both external data and personal network insights.
• Design and implement market entry and expansion strategies, particularly within Europe, with a primary focus on  Italy.
• Build and present robust business cases to support in-licensing decisions and investment planning.
• Track and evaluate the commercial performance of in-licensed products across target markets, proposing adjustments as needed.

3. Negotiation & Risk Management

• Lead negotiations to define mutually beneficial terms, ensuring clear allocation of responsibilities and rights.
• Ensure all agreements are legally sound, commercially viable, and aligned with the companys strategic interests.
• Proactively identify and manage risks associated with partnerships, including legal, operational, and reputational risks.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans to mitigate potential partnership disruptions.

4. Reporting & Market Intelligence

• Maintain detailed and up-to-date records of all licensing agreements, communications, and partnership KPIs.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on progress, risks, and strategic opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, competitor moves, and emerging opportunities to guide business development efforts.
• Contribute to the continuous refinement of the licensing strategy based on insights and market evolution.

Package: Temporary with the opportunity to extend at permanent contract