Candidate Profile:
- Seasoned Business Development or Sales leader based on the US East Coast.
- Strong scientific background with a Life Sciences degree.
- 5+ years of experience selling CRO or CDMO services.
- Proven track record of selling across the entire drug discovery and development cycle to both large pharma and biotech startups.
- Comfortable working independently in a field-based role with up to 60% travel.
- Possesses sharp commercial acumen needed to navigate complex, consultative sales.
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years of business development or sales experience at a CRO, CDMO, or related life sciences service provider.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related Life Sciences discipline.
- Proven experience selling services across the drug discovery and development cycle to pharma and biotech clients.
- Located on the US East Coast (specifically Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, or North Carolina).
- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a Life Sciences discipline.
- Existing strong network of pharma and biotech contacts on the US East Coast.
Role Responsibilities:
- As Senior Director of Business Development - Drug Discovery, you will drive growth across the US East Coast corridor, selling integrated drug discovery services to pharma and biotech clients.
- You will identify new growth areas.
- You will align offerings with current trends in drug discovery.
- You will own the client experience from first touchpoint to signed contract.
- The role is open at Director or Senior Director level, depending on experience.
Commercial Strategy:
- Work closely with the Business Development team to execute commercial strategies, goals, actions and budgets for your region.
Prospecting:
- Proactively prospect new accounts, plan your own schedule, and generate leads through outreach and inbound enquiries.
Client Engagement:
- Call on prospective accounts, provide technical information, coordinate presentations and support proposal generation.
Deal Ownership:
- Shepherd the internal process from initial touchpoint to close so every client has a positive experience.
- Negotiate contracts with a long-term relationship mindset.
Tailored Solutions:
- Prepare client-specific presentations and data.
- Work with internal teams to turn client needs into delivery.
Market Intelligence:
- Track competitor pricing and offerings.
- Help BD leadership size market potential, client requirements and competitor strengths and weaknesses.
Complex Sales:
- Promote sophisticated services to pharma and biotech R&D teams.
Representation:
- Represent at industry events and conferences.
Skills and Competencies:
- BS in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or another Life Sciences discipline (advanced degree preferred).
- 5+ years in business development or sales at a CRO, CDMO or related field.
- Experience selling across all drug discovery markets, from Discovery to Development.
- Track record of developing and managing internal and external client relationships.
- Strong ability to build relationships with new key partners and stakeholders.
- Experience working with pharma companies and biotech startups throughout the drug discovery and development cycle.
- Strong BD and sales strategy planning and execution, with a results-oriented approach.
- Sharp commercial sense and the ability to spot growth opportunities.
- Excellent communication, marketing and presentation skills.
- Self-motivated and adaptable; works well independently and as part of a team.
Logistics:
- Location: US East Coast (Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia or North Carolina), field-based.
- Travel: up to 60% per year.
- Level: Director or Senior Director, depending on experience.
Benefits:
- Long-term cooperation based on stable employment conditions.
- Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities.
- An inspiring, international workplace with strong team spirit.
- Training programme for scientific and sales development (Peer to Peer Academy, scientific lectures, conference participation).
- Career development that grows with the company.
