External Innovation

Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally.

Our mission: to bring health in people's hands by making self-care as simple as it should be for over half a billion consumers worldwide.
At the core of this mission is our 100+ loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and four specialized science and innovation development centers. 
Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world's most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan.
B Corp certified in multiple markets, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet.
Find out more about our mission to bring health in your hands at

About the job:

• Opella is strengthening its external innovation and Business Development & Licensing (BD&L) capabilities to accelerate global growth in a rapidly evolving self-care landscape. This role is pivotal in driving strategic partnerships that secure both near-market solutions and early-stage breakthrough innovations. By unlocking differentiated APIs, OTC products, medical devices, technologies, and ecosystem collaborations, it enables flagship brands to enter and scale across new markets and categories.The position leads external innovation and BD&L strategy for a multi-regional portfolio (Europe, LATAM, AMEA), focusing on portfolio assessment, geographic and product expansion strategies, market intelligence, and opportunity scouting. Responsibilities include coordinating due diligence, structuring and negotiating licensing and scientific partnerships, and executing agreements for licensing, distribution, and co-development. Through these initiatives, the role accelerates Opella's global expansion and reinforces its leadership in self-care innovation.

Main responsibilities:

• Define and lead external innovation and BD&L strategy to support global brand geo-expansion and competitiveness, aligned with brand roadmaps, regulatory pathways, and Opella priorities.

• Identify innovation gaps and unmet needs to inform portfolio expansion strategies across markets.

• Drive an end-to-end external innovation agenda securing strategic assets and breakthrough opportunities, including OTC products, medical devices, delivery systems, and tech platforms.

• Build a forward-looking pipeline of BD&L and partnership opportunities to unlock market access and accelerate registration across EU, LATAM, and AMEA.

• Lead strategic scouting and partner with global brand and R&D teams to integrate externally sourced solutions into innovation plans.

• Own the full BD&L lifecycle—from business case development and due diligence to deal structuring, negotiation, and execution of licensing, distribution, and co-development agreements.

About you: 

• Experience: 10+ years of extensive BD&L and external innovation experience in OTC, medical devices, and/or consumer health.

• Skills: Proven track record in executing complex licensing and partnership deals, bringing breakthrough innovations to market, and building strong external networks. Combines strategic and entrepreneurial thinking with expertise in regulatory dynamics, financial modeling, and IP compliance. Highly skilled in negotiation, stakeholder leadership, and collaboration across multicultural environments.

• Education: Scientific, pharmaceutical, or medical background required; business degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred but not mandatory with a strong BD&L track record.

• Languages: Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; fluent in written and spoken English.

Why us?

At Opella, you will enjoy doing challenging, purposeful work, empowered to develop consumer brands with passion and creativity. This is your chance to grow new skills and be part of a bold, collaborative, and inclusive culture where people can thrive and be at their best every day.

We Are Challengers.
We are dedicated to making self-care as simple as it should be. That starts with our culture. We are challengers by nature, and this is how we do things:

All In Together: We keep each other honest and have each other's backs.
Courageous: We break boundaries and take thoughtful risks with creativity.
Outcome-Obsessed: We are personally accountable, driving sustainable impact and results with integrity.
Radically Simple: We strive to make things simple for us and simple for consumers, as it should be.

Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands.

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