At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to revolutionise biotech R&D with AI-driven solutions.
- Company: Benchling, a pioneering AI platform transforming biotech research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and be part of an innovative, inclusive team.
- Why this job: Join us in reshaping the future of biotech and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in presales and deep knowledge of biotech R&D required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are rebuilding biotech for the AI era. When a breakthrough is delayed, the world waits. Getting a molecule from discovery to patients, or a crop from lab to field, involves thousands of slow, manual, disconnected steps. AI has the potential to change this, compressing decades of R&D work into years. But that only happens when clean, structured scientific data and AI are built into how science gets done. Benchling is the AI platform for biotech R&D. Scientists use Benchling to design experiments, capture structured data, and run AI agents and models directly in their workflows. Over 200,000 scientists around the world trust Benchling to power their most important work, from academic labs to Sanofi, Moderna, and more than half of the world's top 50 biopharma.
We’re building an AI scientist for our customers. We can’t do that if we haven’t built the muscle ourselves. AI fluency is the foundation we build on; it's core to how we work, and we're committed to helping every new hire integrate it into their day-to-day. As part of our interview process, you'll complete a brief AI-focused exercise or discussion so we can understand how you think about and use AI to drive impact in your role. Feel free to reference any tools, platforms, or workflows you use today.
ROLE OVERVIEW
The Head of EMEA Enterprise Solution Consulting - R&D owns the technical, solution, and competitive strategy across Benchling's Enterprise Solution Consulting R&D (SC-RD) organization in EMEA. This role directly manages a team of Solution Consultants - R&D (Enterprise) as individual contributors. The role drives revenue by setting and enforcing engagement quality standards across all three segments — through alignment with customer needs, demonstrating value, and securing technical wins — while building the management bench beneath it. The ideal candidate has experience as an individual contributor in presales, owning the technical sale, and possesses deep knowledge of R&D solutions in the biotech industry. They must demonstrate a proven track record of success selling to large global accounts and most recently have been in a leadership role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Setting and Overseeing Engagement Quality Standards (org-wide, cross-segment): Setting the technical sales process standard — pipeline generation (PG), 3 Why's development, champion building, MEDDICC, and Proof of Value planning and execution — and ensuring it is applied consistently across Strategic, SMB, and Enterprise engagements.
- Ensuring high-quality SC engagements across Enterprise that meet customer needs, generate value, and secure the technical win — auditing quality directly for Enterprise ICs.
- Applying deal strategy and close plan expertise to guide Proof of Value plans and solutioning — directly with Enterprise ICs.
- Monitoring key deal activity across the full org and reallocating resources to ensure successful customer engagements.
- Directly managing Enterprise SC-RD individual contributors: developing sales acumen, presentation and demo effectiveness, product knowledge, and champion-building relationships.
- Recruiting, Retention, and Org Design: Recruiting and retaining a high-performance team, running a rigorous hiring process, career discussions, individual development plans, and goal-setting for direct ICs. Owning cultural engagement across the Enterprise SC-RD org.
- Enterprise Relationship Management: Building champions in Enterprise accounts and maintaining relationships with Executive Buyers (EBs) and key stakeholders, particularly on the largest or most complex Enterprise deals.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A history of leading high velocity sales cycles with innovative scientific research and development models, large growth potential, and complex underlying needs.
- 2+ years of experience managing presales software (SaaS) solution consulting teams.
- Proven track record working with life science companies and comfort with biotech R&D processes and scientific concepts.
- Ability to confidently interface and build trust with VP and C-Level scientific & research leaders in fast-growing Biotech organizations.
- Deep knowledge of scientific software solutions and a strong understanding of its applications within a scientific environment.
- Familiarity with MEDDIC sales methodology is a plus but not required.
- Undergraduate degree and/or advanced degrees in Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a similar life science field.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites 25-30%.
Benchling welcomes everyone. We believe diversity enriches our team so we hire people with a wide range of identities, backgrounds, and experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer. That means we don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Head of EMEA Enterprise Solution Consulting R&D in London employer: Benchling
Benchling is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the biotech sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to cutting-edge technologies and the opportunity to engage with senior leaders in both science and IT, ensuring your contributions are impactful and valued. The role also includes travel opportunities, allowing you to connect with diverse teams and clients while making a meaningful difference in biotech R&D.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of EMEA Enterprise Solution Consulting R&D in London
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Benchling. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Benchling!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of EMEA Enterprise Solution Consulting R&D in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Benchling that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Benchling.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Benchling does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Benchling
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Benchling. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Benchling's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Benchling. This shows your passion for the industry!