Senior Director of Business Development – Analytical Development & CMC Services
Role summary
Join a global life sciences services organization supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with GMP analytical testing and drug development services.
As Senior Director of Business Development, you will lead commercial growth across the US East Coast, identifying new customers, developing complex analytical services opportunities and managing the complete sales cycle from prospecting through contract closure.
The role is focused on GMP analytical services, including quality control and release testing, stability studies, and analytical method development and validation.
This opportunity suits an experienced CRO/CDMO sales professional with a strong scientific foundation, proven new-business development experience and the ability to independently engage pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
Important
Remote, field-based position covering the US East Coast, with up to 60% travel.
Candidates must be located 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 relevant CRO/CDMO or life sciences services sales experience.
Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant life sciences discipline.
Direct experience selling GMP analytical services is mandatory.
Strong knowledge of QC/release testing, stability testing, or analytical method development and validation.
Proven new-business acquisition and complex contract negotiation experience.
Experience limited to drug discovery, manufacturing-only CDMO services, medical devices, instruments or reagents does not meet the core requirement.
Advanced qualifications and experience across multiple pharmaceutical modalities are advantageous.
Job description
We are looking for a Senior Director of Business Development to drive commercial growth across the US East Coast for a global contract research organization providing analytical development and drug development services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
This is a hands-on commercial leadership role focused on generating new business for GMP analytical services, including quality control and release testing, stability studies, analytical method development and validation.
You will independently build a pipeline of prospective customers, engage scientific and commercial decision-makers, develop complex service opportunities, and manage the full sales cycle through contract closure.
Responsibilities
Develop new business opportunities across the US East Coast pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets.
Identify and engage prospective customers requiring GMP analytical testing and drug development services.
Sell analytical services including QC/release testing, stability testing, and analytical method development and validation.
Build and manage a commercial pipeline through proactive prospecting and direct customer engagement.
Own the full sales cycle, from initial lead generation to proposal development, negotiation and contract closure.
Develop relationships with pharmaceutical and biotech R&D, analytical development, quality and commercial stakeholders.
Translate customer requirements into relevant scientific service proposals in coordination with technical teams.
Navigate complex sales processes involving GMP requirements and customer-specific analytical needs.
Expand the commercial footprint across established pharmaceutical organizations and emerging biotech companies.
Travel regularly throughout the US East Coast territory for customer meetings and business development activities.
Required Skills
At least five years of business development or sales experience within a CRO, CDMO or related life sciences services environment.
Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or another relevant life sciences discipline.
Proven experience selling GMP analytical services, such as QC/release testing, stability testing, or analytical method development and validation.
Strong understanding of GMP requirements and their relevance to analytical testing and drug development.
Demonstrated ability to originate new business, develop commercial opportunities and close complex service agreements.
Experience selling to pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.
Ability to engage credibly with scientific, R&D and technical decision-makers.
Based within the eligible US East Coast territory, extending south to South Carolina.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 60%.
Ability to work independently in a remote, field-based commercial role.
Technologies
GMP analytical testing
Quality control and release testing
Stability studies
Analytical method development
Analytical method validation
CMC and pharmaceutical development services
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology research services
CRO/CDMO commercial sales
Nice To Have
Master's degree, PhD or MBA.
Experience selling analytical services across small molecules and multiple therapeutic modalities.
Experience with new chemical entities (NCEs), antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) or vaccines.
Existing relationships with pharma and biotech organizations on the US East Coast.
Experience selling GMP analytical services for small-molecule drug development.
Previous commercial experience with established analytical testing CROs or CDMOs.
Soft Skills
Strong commercial initiative and new-business development mindset.
Scientific credibility and consultative selling ability.
Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management.
Confidence managing complex customer relationships independently.
Strong organizational skills and pipeline discipline.
Ability to work effectively with scientific and technical teams.
Self-motivation and willingness to travel extensively.