Business Development Manager (Drug Discovery and Development)

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we will beat cancer.

£50,000 – 59,000 Plus benefits

Reports to: Business Development Executive (Drug Discovery and Development)

Department: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

We're open to a variety of ways of working, including compressed hours.

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 9 June 2025 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Recruitment process: 1st stage screening call and then 2nd stage Teams Interview and presentation task

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are looking for a Business Development Manager to join Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK’s innovation engine, which exists to maximise the impact of cancer research and fast-track scientific breakthroughs into patient benefit. We work closely with academia and industry to bridge the gap between discovery science and the market, and drive the development and commercialisation of cancer innovations and discoveries into new medicines and diagnostics.

The Business Development (BD) team within Cancer Research Horizons provides the primary interface between scientific innovation and industry. The team are responsible for business development and transaction activities to connect CRUK and CRH innovations, expertise and capabilities with academia and industry through a broad range of partnering models and commercialisation routes including collaborations, licensing, spin-out formation, and innovative industry alliances.

As a Business Development Manager (BDM), you will play a key role in advancing our drug discovery and early clinical development strategy. By working closely with internal and external stakeholders, building relationships with industry partners and the academic community you will lead the development of opportunities for collaboration to progress both CRUK-funded science and external innovations from target to clinical proof of concept. In addition, you will proactively drive partnering activities for CRH’s drug discovery (CRH Therapeutic Innovation; TI) and early development (CRUK Centre for Drug Development; CDD) teams through interactions with pharma, biotech and VC partners, manage deal negotiations and support the commercial strategy for CRH’s internal pipeline programs.

We are looking for candidates with a background in life sciences either through education or industry experience. You could come with a background in technology transfer looking to learn and develop your business development skills. In return the role offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to help drive forward CRH’s partnering strategy and activities, and to make a major impact on the translation and commercialisation of exciting new therapeutic innovations.

What will I be doing?

• With a focus on TI and CDD, proactively and competently promoting CRH’s drug discovery and development activities, and collaboration and licensing opportunities to potential partners through a variety of channels including visits, presentations, events and participation at partnering meetings and conferences.
• Undertaking commercial and competitive evaluations for new scientific concepts, therapeutic projects and partnering opportunities as they are advanced into proposals for commercial-academic alliances and collaborations.
• Working with colleagues in TI and CDD to review new therapeutic project and partnering opportunities in the discovery, preclinical and early clinical space.
• Leading and supporting commercialisation and partnering strategies for our internal pipeline programs.
• Negotiating licence agreements, collaboration agreements, and other commercial agreements.
• Assisting the BD team with business interactions, keeping apprised of industry and research trends and developments (mainly within the discovery space, but more broadly as relevant to key portfolio projects).

What skills are you looking for?

• Minimum BSc (or equivalent work & industry experience) in a Life Science discipline, ideally oncology or technology-related.
• Business development, deal negotiation and/or technology transfer experience in industry, academic or non-profit roles is preferable but not essential.
• Strong interest in business development and deal making, particularly as it relates to oncology drug discovery and an appetite to develop skills in new areas.
• Broad knowledge and awareness of drug discovery and development (preferably within the oncology sector).
• An understanding of intellectual property and the steps required to translate scientific innovations into commercial products.
• Ability to grasp and report varied technical concepts quickly, and design, develop and critique sound business strategies based on scientific, commercial, and financial analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate without authority with senior personnel.
• Proven scientific judgement and project management skills combined with operational delivery.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

• Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
• Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
• Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
• Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

One of our values at CRUK is Being Human. Whilst we understand that AI has its benefits, we want to hear about why you’re personally interested in CRUK and what is motivating you to apply. We have noticed some applicants being less successful in their applications when using AI due to lack of real life examples. To level the playing field and ensure fairness for all candidates, we strongly encourage responses to be written in your own words, drawing from personal experiences and knowledge. We discourage the use of AI when completing your application form and throughout the process.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.

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Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.