Due Diligence Director

Position: Due Diligence Director

Location: Cambridge, UK

Introduction to the role:

Business Development Operations (BDO) plays a critical role in AstraZeneca achieving the successful execution of both in and out bound transactions which expand, focus and rationalise the Company’s pipeline and portfolio.

This role sits within the Due Diligence team and will provide an excellent opportunity to progress with a career in a global business development function and to build experience in due diligence and would ideally suit someone that already has exposure to Business Development in some capacity.

You will lead small to medium due diligence projects independently and supports Senior Directors on large or complex transactions and be accountable for the co-ordination, support and leadership of due diligence projects in support of transactions. When working through ‘buy-side’ transactions, you will lead cross-functional team to ensure that there is a thorough and detailed assessment of the technical, commercial, operational, and financial, quality and, where relevant, legal integrity of the investment opportunities which projects present.

You will ensure that due diligence activities are planned and conducted in a manner that is consistent with business needs, and the demands and nature of the particular project, whilst ensuring that access to all relevant information is gained and shared appropriately across the Business so that the risks and benefits associated with investments are identified and incorporated into the Company’s decision-making processes.

When working on ‘sell-side’ transactions, you will coordinate and manage the preparation of assets for sale including virtual data rooms. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you will act in either a supporting role or as the point of contact for purchasers/partners with respect to diligence matters. In addition, where appropriate, you may be involved in leading elements of transition of acquired/divested assets in to/out of AstraZeneca

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting and/or leading global multi-functional due diligence teams (of up to 30-40 people and including teams from external advisors on Legal, Finance and Tax matters for major transactions), setting expectations, modus operandi, reporting requirements and timelines.
• Supporting and/or leading due diligence teams through their interactions with third parties and evaluation/analysis of information/data, ensuring that effort is focused on priority risks.
• Operates under the guidance of Senior Directors, escalating major risks and contributing to decision-making processes.
• Championing a high-level internal engagement of cross-functional due diligence team to insure identification of risks and mitigation strategies.
• Working with the relevant Search & Evaluation teams to identify the priority risks
• Being responsible for the data room for divestment activity
• Supporting and/or leading any on-site visits to third party facilities if required.
• Leading the collation of specific, tailored information/data requests and secure provision from the third-party partners.
• Interpreting findings from due diligence and leading the assessment of impact on the drivers of value in the business case.
• Supporting and/or leading and securing sign-off for, due diligence reports.
• Manages cross-functional teams and supports stakeholder engagement, with increasing autonomy as experience grows including the presentation of findings/analysis to relevant governance bodies and senior partners (potentially including the AstraZeneca CFO and/or CEO);
• Supporting and/or leading post-diligence learning reviews where appropriate.
• Maintaining and extending the high standards of excellence in the organisation, in due diligence process and practices, with continuous improvement and refinement in response to changing business needs.
• Providing training materials, courses and support materials (guidance notes and checklists) for the wider team members and Business Development colleagues.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• Degree level education.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to credibly lead a multi-functional technical, corporate finance-oriented group of senior professionals.
• An understanding of the drug development process, intellectual property management and other issues typically associated with global licensing evaluation process.
• Attention to detail, focus and ability to discern key facts and value drivers from large complex sets of data.
• Ability to identify, understand and communicate key issues emerging in due diligence projects.
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively around standard core process and practice while maintaining agreed standards.
• Ability to act appropriately with complexity, time pressured conflicts
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues
• Demonstrated resourcefulness with the ability to flexibly handle and adapt multiple priorities, resources and project initiatives in a global and regional environment.
• Previous risk management and project control process implementation.
• Experience in working effectively with external parties at senior levels.
• Understanding of information management practices, policies and tools.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Some understanding of the structure, approach and interdependencies of various components of buy-side and sell-side transactions.
• Experience of active involvement in Due Diligence projects.
• Experience in drug development, preferably with experience in different roles and/or at different points in the development cycle (early, late stage, commercial etc).
• Some experience and interest in using AI in the work environment

Why Join Us?

At AstraZeneca, we encourage you to look beyond our company and shape the wider external environment. We ensure policymakers understand, and take into consideration, our industry when managing national and international frameworks. Be part of a team of specialists that is valued and crucial to the growth of AstraZeneca. Here you are encouraged to apply entrepreneurial and innovative thinking to make things happen in a creative, yet rigorous, environment.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Are you ready to lead the way in shaping the external environment? Join us at AstraZeneca where you can make an impact!

Date Posted

12-Nov-2025

Closing Date

30-Nov-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.