(Senior) Director of Business Development – Drug Discovery

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.

Location: Remote - United States

Skills required for this job:

• Biomedical sciences
• Biotechnology
• Business development
• Client relationship management (CRM)
• Commercial strategy design
• Consultative selling
• Drug development
• Drug research
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Sales