Senior Business Development Director

Small Molecule Drug Discovery

An innovative and well-funded organisation operating within drug discovery and advanced chemistry is seeking a Senior Business Development Director to drive commercial growth within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector.

With strong investment and ambitious growth plans, the business is expanding its commercial team to build strategic partnerships with biotech and pharmaceutical companies globally.

This is a high-impact hunter role focused on building relationships, generating new opportunities and converting them into significant commercial partnerships.

The Role

You will be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities within the pharma and biotech sector, particularly organisations involved in small molecule drug discovery.

Working closely with senior leadership, you will lead commercial engagement from initial outreach through to contract negotiation and deal closure.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying and engaging new pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners
• Building and managing a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities
• Developing and executing a proactive outbound business development strategy
• Leveraging your existing industry network to generate qualified leads
• Leading commercial discussions, proposals and contract negotiations
• Representing the organisation at conferences and industry events
• Working closely with internal teams to translate partner needs into solutions
• Contributing market insight and customer feedback to support commercial strategy

The Candidate

We are looking for a highly motivated commercial professional with a strong track record of winning new business within the life sciences sector.

The successful candidate will have:

• Business development experience within pharma, biotech or CRO environments
• A hunter mindset with proven success generating and closing new opportunities
• Experience working with organisations involved in small molecule drug discovery
• A strong network of decision makers across pharmaceutical and biotech companies
• Experience negotiating and closing complex commercial agreements
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A Life Sciences degree (MSc or equivalent)

Additional experience that would be beneficial:

• Exposure to drug discovery services or discovery platforms
• An MBA or additional commercial qualification

Location

The role will ideally be based in the Cambridge area, with hybrid working available and travel to client meetings and industry events as required.

Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing organisation working at the forefront of innovation in molecular discovery and building strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

For a confidential discussion contact Talent STEM.

Talent STEM is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting the scientific, engineering, clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical, FMCG, environmental, biotechnology and medical device sectors.