Business Development Manager - Life Sciences & Healthcare in City of London, London

Company Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, harnessing the power of connected data to drive digital transformation and innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future. As part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis employs over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists across 30 countries in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Our teams bring extensive cross-sector knowledge in critical technology areas such as mobility, smart engineering, smart industries, robotics, simulations, cybersecurity, AI and data analytics through Akkodis Intelligence, enabling clients to solve complex engineering challenges in fast-evolving markets.

With a comprehensive solution portfolio across four service lines—Consulting, Solutions, Talents, and Academy—Akkodis supports clients from concept through to full-scale deployment and optimisation. Our diverse offerings help organisations rethink product development, accelerate productivity, reduce time-to-market, and prepare for the future. At Akkodis, you’ll join a dynamic environment that values continuous learning, domain expertise, and global collaboration, where you can make a meaningful impact through innovative projects that shape the future of technology.

Scope

At Akkodis, our Business Managers are central to driving commercial success. They lead and nurture client relationships, identify strategic opportunities, and expand our business portfolio through insight-driven engagement and delivery excellence. Within the Life Science & Healthcare vertical, the Senior Business Manager (SBM) focuses on Pharma, Biotech, Medical Devices, and Private Healthcare clients—helping accelerate innovation from discovery through to post-market deployment. This includes driving opportunities across R&D, clinical, Smart engineering, digital transformation, and data-driven innovation, including leveraging the capabilities of Akkodis Smart Industry and Akkodis Intelligence (AI). The SBM acts as the commercial and strategic interface between Akkodis and its clients, ensuring that engagements align with business objectives, regulatory frameworks, and industry best practices across both the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This requires understanding of regulatory and quality processes.

This is a leadership pathway role, supporting the Business Unit’s P&L (through contribution and insight rather than ownership) and contributing to the execution of the commercial strategy defined by the Life Science and Healthcare Director. Consulting experience is preferred due to the specialist nature of Akkodis’ consulting and engineering services.

Role

The Senior Business Manager – Life Science & Healthcare plays a pivotal role in expanding Akkodis’ presence across the value chain, including R&D, clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory, and digital transformation. As a trusted advisor, the SBM understands scientific, operational, and regulatory environments and translates them into tailored, outcome-based commercial strategies. They are adept at navigating complexities such as:

• Translational research and early-stage innovation funding
• Regulatory and quality frameworks
• Clinical and manufacturing validation
• Data governance, cybersecurity, AI adoption, digitalisation, and engineering challenges across smart industries

Working closely with technical operations, engineering teams, talent acquisition, and delivery functions, the SBM ensures that proposed solutions—whether IT, digital, AI-enabled, or engineering-led—are both compliant and commercially viable.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth & Client Engagement
  • Develop and manage strategic relationships with senior decision-makers within Pharma, Biotech, MedTech, CROs, CDMOs, and private healthcare organisations across the UK and Ireland.
  • Understand funding and partnership ecosystems including Innovate UK, Horizon Europe, EI/HSE schemes, and clinical research grants to position Akkodis as a preferred innovation partner.
  • Identify and shape high-value opportunities across R&D, clinical development, manufacturing, and post-market phases, incorporating smart engineering and digital transformation capabilities.
• Commercial & Contract Leadership
  • Own the end-to-end sales cycle from opportunity identification through to bid, proposal, negotiation, and contract closure.
  • Ensure all engagements comply with UK and Irish life sciences governance, procurement, and ethical standards.
  • Collaborate with technical and engineering teams to ensure accurate scoping, resourcing, and delivery alignment.
• Market Intelligence & Strategy
  • Track evolving trends across Pharma, Biotech, and MedTech sectors, including regulatory updates (MHRA, HPRA, EMA, FDA), funding models, and digital innovation priorities.
  • Translate insights into actionable account strategies aligned with Akkodis’ commercial goals and contribution to BU P&L.
  • Support the Life Science Director in developing market-entry and go-to-market plans, including expansion across Ireland.
• Operational Collaboration
  • Partner with delivery leads and programme managers to ensure solutions are operationally sound and meet clinical, regulatory, and engineering expectations.
  • Work cross-functionally with recruitment to ensure timely mobilisation of domain-specific and compliant resources (e.g., GxP-trained, ISO-qualified).
• Leadership & Mentorship
  • Mentor and support Business Managers, developing their understanding of Life Science industry drivers, compliance, and commercial delivery.
  • Contribute to broader capability building and leadership development within the business unit.
• Financial Accountability
  • Demonstrate strong commercial awareness with an appreciation of P&L management, margin considerations, and forecasting—supporting, but not owning, financial governance led by the BU Director.
  • Maintain accurate pipeline forecasting, commercial reporting, and risk assessment.

Required Experience

• Proven track record in sales, business development or strategic account management within Life Science, Pharma, Biotech, or MedTech sectors.
• Deep understanding of R&D, clinical trials, manufacturing, or regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with MHRA, HPRA, EMA, FDA, GMP, GCP, GLP, ISO 9001, ISO 13485.
• Experience delivering technology-enabled, engineering-led, or data-driven solutions into regulated environments.
• Strong commercial awareness with understanding of P&L levers, pipeline forecasting, and risk management.
• Exposure to funding mechanisms, innovation frameworks, and public–private partnerships is advantageous.
• Consulting experience preferred, particularly in engineering, smart industry, or digital transformation contexts.

Required Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, capable of engaging with scientific, operational, and C-level audiences.
• Ability to translate complex scientific, regulatory, or engineering concepts into actionable commercial propositions.
• Excellent bid management and proposal writing skills with precision in technical and compliance accuracy.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to align market, policy, and regulatory insights to commercial strategy.
• Resilient, self-driven, and commercially astute; able to manage multiple strategic accounts and initiatives concurrently.

Required Education

• Degree in any Science, Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline; OR Equivalent professional experience within Pharma, Biotech, MedTech, or Healthcare technology sectors.
• Postgraduate qualifications (MBA, MSc, or PhD) advantageous.