Business Development Manager

About the job

Focus: Lead Generation & Strategic Partnerships

Role Overview

We are seeking a driven and commercially minded Business Manager to spearhead lead generation and relationship development within the life sciences ecosystem. The role will focus on identifying and engaging with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical organisations to promote a cutting-edge software platform that delivers deep cell-level insights for drug discovery, repurposing, and research innovation.

The ideal candidate will combine scientific expertise with commercial acumen, excelling at building trusted relationships, generating qualified leads, and developing strategic collaborations that accelerate platform adoption and market growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Generation & Client Acquisition

• Identify, research, and prioritise target organisations in academia, biotech, and pharma.
• Proactively source and qualify leads through targeted outreach, networking, conferences, and digital channels.
• Develop compelling, tailored messaging to communicate the platform’s unique value proposition.
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of opportunities, tracking progress through CRM tools.

2. Client Engagement & Relationship Development

• Conduct presentations, software demonstrations, and discovery meetings with researchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor, aligning solutions with client research needs and strategic objectives.
• Represent the company at industry events to expand network reach and brand presence.
• Foster long-term partnerships to generate recurring opportunities and referrals.

3. Sales Execution & Reporting

• Collaborate with internal teams to prepare proposals, pricing, and commercial terms.
• Maintain accurate sales activity records, providing pipeline updates and insights to leadership.
• Share client feedback with product and marketing teams to refine offerings and messaging.

4. Strategic Market Insights & Partnerships

• Monitor market trends, funding activities, and competitor developments to identify emerging opportunities.
• Support the development of collaborative projects with research institutions, biotech partners, and pharma companies.
• Assist in the preparation of partnership proposals, grant submissions, and joint research initiatives.

Key Objectives

• Drive lead generation and partnership activity to expand platform adoption.
• Achieve acquisition targets across target market segments.
• Strengthen the company’s position as a trusted partner in AI-driven life sciences research.

What We’re Looking For

• PhD in Biology, Life Sciences, Bioengineering, or related field, with strong understanding of research workflows and the life sciences market.
• 2–3 years of experience in lead generation, business development, or partnerships, MUST BE in biotech, pharma, or academic sectors.
• Proven ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in clear, compelling terms.
• Experience managing sales pipelines, CRM systems, and achieving measurable commercial goals.
• Interest/Experience in AI, computational biology, and data-driven drug discovery.
• Strong organisational and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional environment.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages a plus.
• Willingness to travel within Europe and occasionally internationally.
• Familiarity with public/private research funding mechanisms and research networks.

Please apply within or send me an updated CV to agreatorex@barringtonjames.com