Associate Director, Business Development, Discovery Transactions
Merck
August 19, 2026
Remote friendly (Rahway, NJ)
United States
Sales
Brief Description of Position
- Transact globally to provide business support to Research Laboratories by drafting, negotiating, and executing agreement types to advance the knowledge, pipeline, and reputation of the company.
- Advance discovery research through collaborations with universities, government, not-for-profits, biotech, and pharma; provide access to assets, reagents, technologies, external innovation, and protect intellectual property (IP).
- Work cross-functionally with Discovery Transaction teams and internal groups (Corporate Legal, Patent Legal, Research Procurement/Sourcing, Research Finance, Clinical Global Agreements Management, Compliance, Privacy Office, and stakeholders) to transact agreements supporting projects, ensuring Freedom to Operate and protecting company IP.
- Lead ethically and collaboratively; communicate transparently; make timely, disciplined decisions; adhere to laws, policies, and ethical standards.
- Use LKR and SAP/COMET as appropriate; enter contracts in SAP, add vendors, and capture payment information in LKR/Midas Memos.
- Follow expense and expense-reporting policies.
- Support transformation goals (cycle time, productivity, engagement) and develop early-space collaboration lists.
- Execute/enable managers to execute non-exclusive or patent licenses, study/evaluation agreements, MTAs, consulting agreements, NDAs, and research collaborations.
- Maintain compliance via LKR documentation; support RFA process improvements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in science/law; advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years contract negotiation experience; understanding of legal concepts/contract terminology.
- Knowledge of basic/clinical science and academic/biotech/pharma business.
- Solid understanding of drug development and enterprise strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal and external partners.
Required Skills
- Business Development, Contract Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Contractual Drafting, Developing Proposals, Drug Discovery Research, Due Diligence, Licensing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Transaction Management.
Preferred Skills
- Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licensing, Patent Licensing.
Application Instructions
- Current employees and contingent workers apply via the links provided in the posting.
- Transact globally to provide business support to Research Laboratories by drafting, negotiating, and executing agreement types to advance the knowledge, pipeline, and reputation of the company.
- Advance discovery research through collaborations with universities, government, not-for-profits, biotech, and pharma; provide access to assets, reagents, technologies, external innovation, and protect intellectual property (IP).
- Work cross-functionally with Discovery Transaction teams and internal groups (Corporate Legal, Patent Legal, Research Procurement/Sourcing, Research Finance, Clinical Global Agreements Management, Compliance, Privacy Office, and stakeholders) to transact agreements supporting projects, ensuring Freedom to Operate and protecting company IP.
- Lead ethically and collaboratively; communicate transparently; make timely, disciplined decisions; adhere to laws, policies, and ethical standards.
- Use LKR and SAP/COMET as appropriate; enter contracts in SAP, add vendors, and capture payment information in LKR/Midas Memos.
- Follow expense and expense-reporting policies.
- Support transformation goals (cycle time, productivity, engagement) and develop early-space collaboration lists.
- Execute/enable managers to execute non-exclusive or patent licenses, study/evaluation agreements, MTAs, consulting agreements, NDAs, and research collaborations.
- Maintain compliance via LKR documentation; support RFA process improvements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s in science/law; advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years contract negotiation experience; understanding of legal concepts/contract terminology.
- Knowledge of basic/clinical science and academic/biotech/pharma business.
- Solid understanding of drug development and enterprise strategic initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal and external partners.
Required Skills
- Business Development, Contract Agreements, Contract Negotiations, Contractual Drafting, Developing Proposals, Drug Discovery Research, Due Diligence, Licensing, Pharmaceutical Industry, Transaction Management.
Preferred Skills
- Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Licensing, Patent Licensing.
Application Instructions
- Current employees and contingent workers apply via the links provided in the posting.