Director of Business Development

*This role can be based in Somerville, New Jersey, Boston, Massachusetts, or for the right candidate remotely in the United States*

Why This Role Matters:

The Director, Business Development, leads business development within an assigned US territory, growing new business and managing performance against agreed sales metrics. The role develops opportunities across biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthtech, serves as a strategic partner to clients, and leads opportunities from qualification through contract award while building long-term account relationships.

Core Responsibilities:

Territory Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute business development activities for the assigned US territory in alignment with VCLS priorities.

• Build and manage a robust pipeline to achieve agreed sales and revenue targets.

• Identify target accounts and opportunities across biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthtech sectors.

• Maintain accurate forecasting, opportunity visibility and commercial reporting.

Client Acquisition & Opportunity Management

• Actively prospect for new clients and expand opportunities within assigned accounts and geography.

• Lead opportunities from qualification through tailored solution development, proposal, negotiation and contract award.

• Coordinate with Technical Advisors, Consultants and proposal resources to understand client needs and shape appropriate services.

• Ensure effective handover to project teams by transferring client needs, expectations and commercial commitments.

Strategic Account Management

• Serve as relationship manager and strategic business partner for assigned clients.

• Develop and implement account plans with subject-matter experts.

• Cultivate long-term relationships with senior decisionmakers and maintain visibility within client organizations.

• Monitor client satisfaction and identify opportunities for account growth and repeat business.

Market Presence & Collaboration

• Represent VCLS at relevant conferences, client meetings and local industry events.

• Contribute to VCLS visibility and participation in the US life sciences ecosystem.

• Collaborate across Business Development, Marketing, proposal and delivery teams to improve conversion and client outcomes.

• Share market, client and competitive insight across VCLS.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Proven business development or sales experience with a strong commercial track record.

• Significant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthtech, CRO, life sciences consulting or related services.

• Demonstrated capability in client acquisition, strategic account management, complex sales cycles, negotiation and closing.

• Ability to work with technical and scientific subject matter experts to shape client solutions.

• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building and influencing skills.

• Strong commercial judgement, organization, pipeline discipline and forecasting capability.

• Degree in life sciences, business, marketing, healthcare or related discipline preferred.

• Ability and willingness to travel across the United States.