Director of Business Development

UK Based | Board Reporting Role | Life Sciences

We are partnering with a specialist life sciences organisation operating within a high-growth global market. The business provides advanced scientific solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients and is undergoing a strategic commercial transformation.

With strong technical foundations and an established client base, the company is now transitioning from a predominantly bespoke service model to a more scalable, product-led commercial approach. The appointment of a Business Development Director is central to this next phase.

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a commercial function within a technically credible, science-led organisation.

The Role

The Business Development Director will take full ownership of rebuilding and leading the commercial engine.

This is a hands-on leadership position requiring both personal revenue contribution and the development of a disciplined, scalable commercial structure. The successful candidate will report directly into the executive leadership team and work closely with the Board.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & Execution

  • Develop and implement a structured 24-month growth plan
  • Transition revenue mix toward scalable, standardised solutions
  • Build and qualify a robust pipeline aligned to defined revenue targets
  • Drive sustainable revenue growth with margin discipline

Pipeline Governance & Forecasting

  • Introduce structured CRM processes and reporting cadence
  • Establish accurate forecasting methodologies
  • Improve visibility of sales cycle metrics and conversion ratios
  • Identify revenue risk early and implement mitigation strategies

Client Development

  • Lead complex, long-cycle sales into pharmaceutical and biotech organisations
  • Close high-value, technical contracts (£100k–£500k+)
  • Build strategic relationships with scientific, operational and procurement stakeholders

Commission & Commercial Governance

  • Design accountable, team-aligned commission frameworks
  • Protect margin integrity and enforce deal discipline
  • Establish clear approval and pricing governance

Leadership & Team Development

  • Rebuild and lead a lean commercial team
  • Hire and develop high-performing business development professionals
  • Foster a resilient, accountable commercial culture

Board Engagement

  • Deliver structured monthly reporting to the executive team and Board
  • Contribute to strategic planning
  • Operate with financial discipline aligned to medium-term profitability objectives

Candidate Profile

Experience Required

  • Proven success within life sciences, biotech, specialist scientific services or related sectors
  • Track record of selling complex technical solutions into pharma/biotech environments
  • Demonstrated ability to close six-figure contracts
  • Experience managing long, multi-stakeholder sales cycles
  • Leadership experience within small or scaling organisations
  • Experience operating in turnaround, transformation or high-growth settings

Commercial Competencies

  • Strong forecasting and pipeline management discipline
  • Margin-focused revenue mindset
  • Experience working within structured commission environments
  • Financial literacy and comfort reporting at board level

Leadership Traits

  • Calm, resilient and accountable
  • Comfortable rebuilding and creating structure
  • Able to balance scientific credibility with commercial urgency
  • Structured thinker with a disciplined approach to growth

Why This Role Is Different

This is not a maintenance commercial leadership role.

This is a transformation opportunity.

The successful candidate will architect a scalable revenue engine, rebuild commercial governance and align growth to product and margin strategy, playing a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s future trajectory.

Requirements added by the job poster

• No need for visa sponsorship

• Authorized to work in United Kingdom