Director of Business Development – Drug Discovery

Join an established global contract research organization supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies through integrated drug discovery and preclinical research services.

As Director of Business Development, you'll drive commercial growth across the US East Coast, identifying new opportunities, developing customer relationships and managing complex scientific service sales from initial engagement through contract closure.

This is a hands-on, field-based business development position for an experienced life sciences sales professional who understands drug discovery and has a proven record of winning new CRO business.

The ideal candidate combines scientific credibility with strong commercial execution, an established understanding of the pharma and biotech markets, and the ability to manage complex customer relationships independently.

Important

• Remote, field-based role covering the US East Coast, with up to 60% travel.
• Candidates must be based within the eligible East Coast territory, extending south to South Carolina.
• Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and North Carolina are particularly relevant locations.
• Minimum five years of CRO, CDMO or related life sciences service sales experience.
• Direct drug discovery service sales experience is essential.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant life sciences discipline.
• Proven experience developing new customers and closing complex commercial agreements.
• Clinical-only, drug-development-only, software-only or instruments-only sales experience does not meet the core drug discovery requirement.
• Advanced scientific qualifications and an existing pharma/biotech network are desirable.

We are looking for a Director of Business Development to drive commercial growth for a global contract research organization (CRO) providing integrated drug discovery and preclinical research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

You'll own the full business development cycle, from identifying and engaging potential customers through technical discussions, proposal development, commercial negotiations and contract closure.

This is a field-based commercial leadership role requiring strong scientific understanding, proven experience selling drug discovery services and the ability to independently develop relationships with pharmaceutical and biotech customers across the US East Coast.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute business development activities across the US East Coast pharmaceutical and biotechnology market.
• Identify, prospect and win new customers, including established pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech businesses.
• Sell integrated drug discovery services covering chemistry, biology, DMPK and in vivo pharmacology.
• Manage the complete sales cycle from initial prospecting through proposal development, negotiation and contract closure.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities.
• Translate customers' scientific and research requirements into suitable CRO service offerings.
• Collaborate with scientific and operational teams to develop technically credible commercial proposals.
• Negotiate complex service agreements and develop long-term customer relationships.
• Represent the business through regular in-person customer meetings and industry engagement.
• Manage commercial activities independently in a remote, field-based environment.

Required Skills

• At least five years of business development or sales experience within a CRO, CDMO or related life sciences services organization.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related life sciences discipline.
• Demonstrated experience selling drug discovery services, including relevant chemistry, biology, DMPK or in vivo pharmacology offerings.
• Proven ability to generate new business and close complex service contracts.
• Experience selling to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including large pharma and emerging biotech businesses.
• Strong scientific understanding of drug discovery and preclinical research.
• Experience managing the full sales cycle, including prospecting, pipeline development, proposals and contract negotiations.
• Based on the US East Coast, within the eligible territory extending south to South Carolina.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 60% of the time.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based commercial position.

Technologies

• Drug discovery research services
• Medicinal and discovery chemistry
• Discovery biology
• Drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK)
• In vivo pharmacology
• Preclinical research
• CRO service sales and contract negotiation

Nice To Have

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant life sciences discipline.
• Existing network of pharmaceutical and biotechnology decision-makers on the US East Coast.
• Experience selling integrated discovery programs spanning multiple scientific disciplines.
• Established commercial relationships in Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia or North Carolina.

Soft Skills

• Strong consultative selling and relationship-building abilities.
• Commercial initiative and proven new-business development mindset.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific services clearly.
• Confident negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Self-motivation and independence in a field-based environment.
• Strong coordination with scientific and operational colleagues.
• Ability to manage complex sales cycles and multiple customer opportunities.