POSITION SUMMARY / MISSION
We are seeking a strategic, commercially savvy, and relationship-focused Licensing Transactions Director within Business Development & Licensing (BD&L). This role is critical in structuring, negotiating, and executing licensing agreements that align with Almirall's global R&D and commercial objectives. The ideal candidate combines strong business judgment with exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with external partners and internal stakeholders, driving deal execution that shapes Almirall's future pipeline. The position reports directly to the Senior Director Licensing.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Transaction Strategy & Deal Framing
* Lead the strategic framing and structuring of licensing transactions for pre-clinical and clinical-stage assets identified through scouting activities.
* Develop deal hypotheses and transaction frameworks that balance scientific potential, commercial value, risk mitigation, and financial constraints.
* Translate complex scientific and commercial assessments into clear deal structures and negotiation positions.
* Establish and maintain alignment with external partners on deal structure, timelines, and key negotiation principles throughout the transaction process.
* Represent Almirall in partnering conferences, industry events, and external meetings to build relationships and advance transaction opportunities.
Business Relationship Management & Alignment
* Serve as the primary business relationship manager with external partners throughout the transaction lifecycle, from initial engagement through deal close and transition.
* Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with biotech and pharma executives, ensuring productive collaboration and mutual understanding of objectives.
* Lead cross-functional internal alignment (NBTS - Non-Binding Term Sheet) processes, facilitating consensus among R&D, clinical, regulatory, IP, commercial, deal finance, and legal teams on deal strategy and key terms in the submitted NBTS. Work closely with deal finance and senior BD leadership, to negotiate and align NBTS with the other party.
* Navigate stakeholder dynamics and ensure all functions are informed, engaged, and aligned throughout transaction development.
* Work collaboratively with the BD Search and Evaluation lead and use the highest level of communication skills, written and verbal, to prepare and present deal propositions to relevant governance bodies, as required
* Manage expectations internally and externally, proactively identifying and resolving conflicts or misalignments.
Contract Negotiation & Execution
* Lead end-to-end negotiation of licensing agreements, including option agreements, license agreements, research collaborations, and related transaction documents.
* Work closely with legal, and senior BD leadership to negotiate contractual terms regulating the relationship including governance structures, development plans, IP provisions, R&W, Termination and other critical contractual elements.
* Ensure negotiated terms appropriately reflect insights from Due Diligence and address identified risks and opportunities.
* Drive negotiations to successful closure while maintaining positive partner relationships and protecting Almirall's strategic and financial interests.
* Coordinate execution logistics including internal approvals, governance body presentations, signing procedures, and announcement planning.
Post-Deal Transition & Integration Support
* Ensure seamless handoff of executed agreements to internal project teams and alliance management functions.
* Maintain partner relationships during transition period to ensure smooth operational handover.
* Capture learnings from each transaction to continuously improve BD&L processes and approaches.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
* Advanced degree in life sciences, business, or related field (PhD, PharmD, MD, MBA, or JD). Combination of scientific and business education is strongly preferred.
* Significant experience in pharmaceutical/biotech business development, licensing, or related transaction-focused roles is essential.
o Minimum 12 years relevant pharma/biotech experience, ideally with exposure to immunology or dermatology.
o Including at least 6 years of direct experience leading licensing negotiations and closing complex pharma transactions (platform technologies, research collaborations, early or late-stage clinical assets).
* Consulting, investment banking, or legal background in healthcare transactions also considered a plus.
* Demonstrated track record of successfully negotiating and closing multiple licensing deals or strategic partnerships (detailed deal sheet will be required).
* Experience managing complex cross-functional alignment processes and driving internal consensus.
PREFERRED SKILLS & COMPETENCES
* Strategic deal-making mindset with ability to structure transactions that create value for both parties while managing risk.
o Strong understanding of pharmaceutical development, regulatory pathways, and commercialization to inform deal structure.
o Knowledge of immune inflammation or autoimmune diseases, ideally in dermatology, is a plus.
* Exceptional negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships, find creative solutions, and close complex agreements.
* Excels at navigating conflict constructively, synthesizing opposing ideas into breakthrough solutions, and driving decisive action amid ambiguity.
* Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management abilities; skilled at building credibility with diverse stakeholders from scientists to executives.
* Results-driven with enterprise mindset: Combines winning mentality and tenacity with strategic perspective, adapting fluidly to change while anticipating obstacles and opportunities.
* Ability to articulate deal rationale, risks, and value proposition clearly to diverse audiences, including executive committees and external partners.
* Strong financial acumen and understanding of deal economics, valuation principles, and financial modeling.
* Excellent project management skills with ability to drive multiple parallel negotiations while maintaining attention to detail.
* Extensive network in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and BD professional community.
· Proficient level of English is a must; additional European languages are a plus.
* Comfortable working in a cross-cultural, global team environment.
* Willingness and ability to travel internationally (up to 25%).
Success in this role means:
* You consistently structure and negotiate deals that align with Almirall's strategy and create sustainable value.
* You build strong, trusted relationships both internally and externally, becoming a go-to partner for complex transactions.
* You close high-quality agreements efficiently while maintaining positive partner relationships and protecting Almirall's interests.
* You drive effective cross-functional alignment and contribute to building BD&L's transaction capabilities
Why work with Almirall?
We are a people-centric company where employees are at their best, patients and customer are at the heart of every decision, and our focus and agility allow us to deliver greater impact for all.
Additionally, for the 17th year in a row, we have been certified as Top Employer Spain, and also Top Employer Germany for the first time.
This strengthens our commitment to create a unique work environment that helps our employees to develop their skills to fullest and grow both professionally and as individuals.
We are delighted to have a great team that is proactive, innovative, and eager to transform the world of people with skin conditions.
We are proud of each one of our employees, their development, and growth: they are the success of the company.
Our purpose
"Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes & dreams for a healthy life".
Our values
* Care: we listen & empathize, we value diverse perspectives & backgrounds and we help each other succeed.
* Courage: we challenge the status quo, we take full ownership and we learn from our success & failures.
* Innovation: we put the patient and customer at the center, we create novel solutions and we empower entrepreneurial mindsets.
* Simplicity: we act decisively and avoid over-analysis, we understand why before we act and we are agile & keep things simple.
At Almirall, it's all about people
#wearealmirall