Global Business Development Lead

About CEPI

CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating plan is the ‘100 Days Mission’ – its goal to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days.

CEPI’s work has delivered world firsts for vaccines against many of its priority pathogens including the first licensed Chikungunya vaccine, the first ever Lassa fever, Nipah and MERS vaccines to reach Phase II trials and the first Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate to be studied in Phase II in an endemic region. CEPI has also supported programmes to generate much-needed data to expand access to Ebola and Mpox vaccines. CEPI was among the first funders of COVID-19 vaccines, ultimately building one of the world’s largest portfolios, seven of which were licensed. The Coalition also conceptualised and co-founded COVAX, which delivered nearly two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 146 countries , saving an estimated 2.7 million lives in lower-income regions.

Earlier this year, CEPI launched its CEPI 3.0 Strategy (covering 2027-2031) which will systematically reduce the likelihood and impact of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality.

CEPI is a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington DC.

In CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow. Learn more at www.cepi.net.

About the role

CEPI is looking for a Global Business Development Lead to join its Business Development team in the Access and Business Development division. This role will act as a recognised global expert in business development and alliance management, driving CEPI’s business development strategy and activities to enable faster and more equitable development and supply of products through research, development and manufacturing enablers and networks. The role will drive strategic initiatives, foster global partnerships, and lead matrix project teams and cross-functional working groups to achieve specific milestones and objectives acting as an influential voice for change within CEPI and across the wider industry. The role will be based in London or Washington DC and report to the Head of Business Development Disease X. This is a full-time fixed term position for 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Creates opportunities for initial investment and subsequent increased collaboration alongside technical colleagues such as the external development team and programme leads.
• Frames funding mechanisms and deal structures, evaluates deal complexity, and leads negotiations to their timely conclusion.
• Works with Core Pathogens and Disease X teams to drive the co-creation of deal models and archetypes for different enabler and network scenarios.
• With our partners, drives the co-creation and evolution of sustainable business models and access plans that enable technical, commercial and equitable access needs to be met.
• Builds trusting, long-lasting and potentially multi-faceted partnerships capable of delivering CEPI's objectives and acts as alliance manager to partners where assigned.
• Identifies, evaluates and addresses actual or potential issues with partnerships, making good business decisions in close cooperation with the budget owner and other relevant stakeholders.
• Provides advice on business and alliance management strategy, and inputs to strategy and portfolio approach.
• Collaborates with the Project Management Office and other departments to create and improve processes related to business development activities.
• Leads matrix project teams and cross-functional working groups to achieve milestones and objectives on specific deals, transactions or initiatives; acts as an influential leader for changing the status quo, innovating and advancing the industry towards CEPI’s vision.
• Develops deep subject matter expertise in one or more of: early-stage product commercial and competitive positioning, financial analysis and valuation, partner identification, or blended finance and public-private partnership structuring.
• Acts as a recognised global expert and go-to resource for colleagues on business development and alliance management approaches, both within and outside CEPI.
• Collaborates closely with the wider Access and Business Development Division, contributing to its growth and maturity, and effectively interacting with other teams across CEPI.

Education, Experience and Competence

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree preferred.
• Requires minimum 10+ years' experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry in commercial functions; knowledge and experience of the business aspects of clinical trials and commercial manufacturing and supply chain essential.
• Requires minimum 15+ years’ relevant experience in due diligence, negotiations and the process of collaborations and licensing transactions essential; experience of public health or LMIC markets preferred.
• Experience leading on strategic transactions and alliance management essential; experience of public health or LMIC markets strongly preferred.
• Experience of business model creation and valuation essential.
• Experience of working with matrixed, cross-functional teams essential.
• Experience of working internationally, in particular with the Global South, strongly preferred.
• Experience leading matrix or project-based teams or initiatives to deliver against milestones, without formal people management responsibility.
• Strong business acumen and negotiation skills.
• Recognised as a global expert in business development and alliance management, with specialised depth and/or breadth of expertise, within and outside CEPI.
• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends solutions and best practice; solves complex problems, taking a broad perspective to identify solutions.
• Contributes thought leadership and innovation that influences change and advancement of the industry and/or profession.
• Works independently, seeking guidance only in the most complex situations.
• Forward focussed, a continuous and fast learner.
• Can challenge and disagree whilst maintaining relationships, then commit to a path forward.
• Takes ownership of their work and delivers solutions even where there is ambiguity or competing priorities.
• Ability to lead, drive and motivate matrix teams to achieve milestones and objectives, without formal line management authority.
• Clear, concise written and spoken English skills; other languages a plus.

Travel and Location Requirements

• This role will be based in CEPI’s offices in London (UK) or Washington DC (US).
• CEPI operates using a flexible, hybrid working model.
• It will require some working across the US and Europe time zones and may require some travel to other countries as initiatives progress.
• CEPI will not be able to sponsor relocation or VISA assistance for this fixed term position.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to work together with leading experts on solutions for global challenges.
• Experience from the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment.

How to apply

• For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://cepisites.secure.force.com/careers
• Should you have any issues submitting your application or have questions please contact jobs@cepi.net
• Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation.
• Deadline for receiving applications is 8th November 2026 at 23:59 CET