Executive Recruiter, Executive Talent Acquisition – Research & Development

Role Overview

• Develop and execute strategic executive sourcing and engagement strategies for R&D leadership roles by partnering across Global Talent Acquisition, Talent Management COEs, R&D organizations, HRBPs, and external scientific networks.
• Build diverse, high-caliber executive candidate pipelines using advanced sourcing methodologies, including CRM platforms, artificial intelligence and predictive tools, social and professional networks, scientific associations, academia, think tanks, symposia, conferences, and congresses.
• Partner closely with R&D Hiring Leaders and HRBPs to deliver a seamless, consultative recruitment experience aligned to scientific strategy, pipeline evolution, and organizational design.
• Maintain a strong external orientation, proactively identifying executive talent aligned to future R&D capability needs, succession planning, and workforce strategy.
• Develop and deliver competitive intelligence insights related to R&D executive talent markets, emerging skills, and competitor trends to inform leadership decisions and strengthen BMS’s employer value proposition.
• Serve as a Brand Ambassador for Bristol Myers Squibb, building trusted, long-term relationships with senior R&D leaders and candidates.
• Ensure exceptional candidate and stakeholder experiences, while maintaining strict adherence to compliant recruiting and hiring practices in a highly regulated environment.
• Demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and discretion, engaging in industry and scientific forums to elevate BMS’s reputation as an employer of choice and bringing insights back into the organization for continuous improvement.
• Manage and expand third-party executive search partnerships (retained and contingent), ensuring effective vendor engagement, global best practices, and alignment with procurement requirements.
• Partner with Total Rewards, Global Mobility, Legal, Immigration, and Procurement to support executive offer development, negotiation, and delivery, while sharing market insights to inform competitive compensation strategies.
• Collaborate with non-executive recruiting teams to ensure transparency, talent sharing, and continuity across R&D recruiting efforts.

Requirements

• BA/BS degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, including 3+ years focused on senior-level recruiting within a Pharmaceutical/Biotech R&D environment and/or an executive retained search firm.
• Experience sourcing and/or full life-cycle recruiting in a highly technical space such as R&D strongly preferred.
• Expert knowledge of the executive recruiting lifecycle, including sourcing, assessment, relationship management, executive engagement, referencing, and external networking.
• Strong business and scientific acumen, with the ability to understand R&D strategy, pipeline dynamics, and future capability needs, and translate insights into talent recommendations.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and HRBPs.
• Demonstrated success operating in a highly matrixed, fast-paced environment, managing multiple executive searches simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency in leveraging technology, data, and AI-enabled recruiting tools to support executive search and pipeline development.
• Strong ethical judgment, discretion, and emotional maturity when handling highly confidential information.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Fluency with Workday or comparable ATS platforms and CRM tools required.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short
• and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
• Work-life benefits include: Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees) Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays. Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.
• All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown. *Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.