Director of Business Development

Sygnature Discovery is a world-leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada with its headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, which includes 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech and NFP organisations.

Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 56 novel pre-clinical and 35 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 225 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and more.

We’re looking for an experienced and seasoned Business Development Manager to join our Business Development team. Please note this is a remote position and can be based anywhere in the UK or EU. The role will require up to 50% travel.

Reporting to the Vice President of Business Development - Europe / ROW, you will be responsible for driving the overall business development strategy within the European territory, establishing Sygnature Discovery as the partner of choice for all discovery services. You will also support and develop strategic partnership activities to deliver high-value, high-quality, and long-term partnerships/benefits to the business with both new and existing customers.

The successful candidate will be an experienced (minimum 6 years) consultative sales professional with front-end sales experience and a proven track record of capturing attention, building trust, uncovering needs, and developing long-lasting customer relationships. You must be a creative thinker that finds solutions with the ability to exceed the goals and the tenacity to achieve those goals. Significant relationships in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries, particularly in the field of small molecule drug discovery and chemical development, is a must.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Secure and retain business through professional, consultative and proactive activities directed at decision-makers and decision influencers within the Biotech, Pharmaceutical and VC associated industries.
• Interact with internal Scientific Operations, Senior Management, Marketing, Therapeutic Area Leads etc to support growth of these markets, identifying project opportunities and strengthening existing client relationships.
• Position Sygnature as a primary or preferred provider for all discovery services.
• Conduct market research and gather information on potential new clients or new business opportunities and projects.
• Identify leads, develop and/or maintain contact, and establish relationships with key prospects with the objective of converting them to customers.
• Develop new business opportunities that capitalize on our current service capabilities and use internal resources efficiently to convert these opportunities into successful contracts that improve the company’s financial performance.
• Lead sales cycle with contract service and/or strategic partnerships from a generation of interest to contract close.
• Build a robust pipeline of high quality, actionable opportunities that achieve or exceed annual revenue targets.
• Keep abreast of overall business trends, particularly the current business climate within assigned market sectors.
• Track competitor activity by monitoring websites, collateral presentations, trade journals, and discussion lists.
• Create and participate in meetings, presentations, and proposal process for new and existing customers.
• Networking and interaction across all communication platforms on a regular basis and be the face of the company at key events, conferences, and exhibitions.

Key requirements:

• Be educated to degree level or equivalent, in a scientific, business, or life sciences field.
• Have gained significant experience working within the drug discovery industry and have a strong fundamental understanding of drug discovery and Sygnature’s value proposition.
• Proven success in a target driven business development role in Europe.
• Able to create short-term and long-term value by establishing mutually beneficial relationships with new and existing customers.
• Analytical skills with the ability to read, analyse and interpret data and produce reports and documents to support closing arguments.
• Results focussed with demonstrable results achieving or exceeding commercial targets over multiple years.
• Excellent relationship builder across all levels, internally and externally.
• Matrix management abilities.
• Understand and use financial models to make recommendations or decisions on commercial terms with the ability to shape values propositions.
• Possess strong organisational skills and the ability to work in a fast-moving high-pressure environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and be able to see work through from start to finish.
• You will be enthusiastic and self-motivated, with a great sense of ownership.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays, and buy/sell scheme.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders.
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies.
• Sygnature Group Pension Scheme.
• 1 paid volunteer day per year.
• A host of flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.

At Sygnature Discovery, we embody excellence in everything we do. From pioneering research to ground-breaking discoveries, we set the standard for scientific innovation. But it’s collaboration that truly defines us. Across continents and disciplines, we unite to solve complex challenges, driven by a shared passion for improving lives worldwide.

We understand the importance of creating a work environment that empowers you to thrive. That’s why we have fostered a culture of collaboration and support, providing pathways for both professional and personal development. This includes a diverse range of bespoke training and development designed to accelerate both your personal and career growth.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion throughout our organisation. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, age, family or parental status, beliefs, nationalities and religions. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where all our colleagues feel empowered to bring their true selves to work.

If you’re interested in joining a company that places people at the heart of its business, please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be interviewing on an ongoing basis.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at careers@sygnaturediscovery.com.