Business Development Manager

About you

The ideal candidate will be responsible for generating new business and developing strong client relationships across the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. This individual will have a strong commercial mindset, excellent communication skills and the scientific understanding required to confidently discuss preclinical research needs with clients.

The successful candidate will work closely with scientific and internal teams to progress opportunities from initial discussions through study scoping, proposals, quotations and commercial negotiations.

About the Company

Our client is a growing preclinical Contract Research Organisation (CRO) based in San Diego, California, supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies across a broad range of preclinical research programmes.

The organisation provides services including in vivo and in vitro research, pharmacology, GLP and non-GLP toxicology, bioanalysis, histology, animal model and assay development, medical device testing, specialised surgical studies and vivarium services.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with new and existing clients
• Generate new business through prospecting, networking, referrals and industry events
• Understand client pipelines, scientific objectives and preclinical study requirements
• Manage opportunities from initial discussions through scoping, quotations, proposals and commercial negotiations
• Collaborate with scientific teams to develop appropriate study solutions
• Support pricing and quotation development alongside internal teams
• Maintain an accurate commercial pipeline and CRM
• Represent the company at conferences, client meetings and industry events

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Life Sciences, Business or a related discipline
• 2+ years of Business Development, Sales, Account Management or client-facing commercial experience within CRO, biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device or related life sciences markets

Required Skills

• Strong new-business development and relationship-building skills
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiation skills
• Scientific understanding of preclinical research and drug development
• Experience with proposals, quotations, SOWs and/or pricing is advantageous
• Experience selling preclinical CRO services such as pharmacology, toxicology, in vivo studies, bioanalysis, PK/PD or IND-enabling studies is highly desirable
• Proactive, commercially focused and goal-oriented
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, San Diego, California

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience selling outsourced preclinical CRO or scientific R&D services
• Knowledge of toxicology, IND-enabling studies, pharmacology, in vivo efficacy, PK/PD, bioanalysis or histology
• Experience with large animal, NHP, surgical or medical device studies
• Demonstrated success generating new accounts and developing long-term sponsor relationships
• Experience collaborating with scientific and finance teams on proposals, quotations and pricing
• Existing relationships across the US biotech, pharmaceutical or medical device market, particularly within Southern California
• Experience working with both emerging biotechnology companies and established life sciences organisations

Pay Range and Compensation Package

$130,000–$140,000 annual base salary, plus performance-based incentives.

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in San Diego, California. Travel will be required for client meetings, conferences and other business development activities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Our client is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.