Director / Associate Director, Business Development

About the Company

Our client is a leading global clinical research organisation (CRO) supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare companies across the development lifecycle. With a strong international presence and extensive experience delivering clinical research services, the organisation partners with a broad range of sponsors to bring innovative therapies to patients worldwide.

Operating across multiple regions, the company combines scientific expertise, operational excellence, and a collaborative culture to deliver high-quality clinical trial solutions across all phases of development.

About the Role

The Director / Associate Director, Business Development is a strategic commercial leader responsible for developing and executing business development strategy across an assigned therapeutic area, customer segment, or geographic region.

This position combines significant individual sales responsibility with the leadership and development of a high-performing business development team. The successful candidate will drive revenue growth, expand market presence, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the organisation’s long-term commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Commercial Leadership

• Develop and execute business development strategies aligned with organisational growth objectives.
• Manage a substantial portfolio of active opportunities and drive revenue generation.
• Identify and pursue new market opportunities to expand the company’s presence and competitive position.

New Business Development

• Own the full sales cycle from lead generation through contract execution.
• Manage sales planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and commercial performance targets.
• Develop business cases and strategic growth initiatives to support expansion plans.
• Monitor key performance metrics and drive accountability across business development activities.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare organisations.
• Establish long-term strategic partnerships with new and existing clients.
• Lead complex contract negotiations and commercial discussions.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of business development professionals.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support career development and succession planning within the team.

Market Intelligence & Strategy

• Monitor industry trends, competitive activity, and emerging market opportunities.
• Generate strategic insights to support commercial decision-making and business planning.
• Contribute to organisational positioning and go-to-market strategies.

Proposal & Opportunity Management

• Lead the preparation and delivery of strategic proposals and RFP responses.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operational, scientific, finance, and regulatory teams.
• Drive successful outcomes on complex, high-value opportunities.

Industry Engagement

• Represent the organisation at industry conferences, networking events, and professional associations.
• Build market visibility and strengthen client engagement.
• Support broader business development and brand-building initiatives.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide commercial insights and market intelligence to senior leadership.
• Participate in business planning, forecasting, and annual target setting.
• Contribute to long-term growth initiatives and strategic planning discussions.

About You

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Business, or a related discipline.
• MBA, MSc, PhD, or other advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• Significant experience in business development, sales, account management, or related commercial functions.
• Experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, life sciences, or healthcare sectors.
• Proven success in achieving revenue targets and delivering business growth.
• Previous people leadership experience, including coaching and managing high-performing teams.

Key Competencies

• Strategic commercial thinking and business planning expertise.
• Strong enterprise sales and relationship management capabilities.
• Proven leadership and people development skills.
• Financial acumen and commercial decision-making ability.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and business analytics tools.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution.
• Adaptability and resilience within dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Why Join?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing global organisation at the forefront of clinical research and healthcare innovation.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful impact on the advancement of new therapies and treatments.
• Work with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations globally.
• Join a collaborative, international team culture.
• Influence strategic growth and business expansion initiatives.
• Lead and develop talented commercial professionals.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary and incentive package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Access to learning, training, and professional development resources.
• Wellbeing initiatives and employee recognition programs.
• Exposure to high-profile global projects and clients.
• Opportunity to contribute to a growing and highly respected organisation within the life sciences sector.