At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business development and build strategic relationships in the life sciences sector.
- Company: Join Cori, an innovative AI-native platform transforming clinical trials.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a pioneering team in a fast-paced, early-stage company.
- Why this job: Shape the future of clinical development and make a real impact in healthcare.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in business development with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Cori is building an AI-native platform for clinical development teams. Clinical trials are some of the most complex, expensive and operationally demanding projects in the world. Yet many of the workflows that support them — from protocol design and review to feasibility, amendments, cross‑functional alignment and document consistency — remain fragmented, manual and slow. Cori helps sponsors, CROs and clinical development teams design, author, review and operationalise clinical trials more effectively. We are building the structured, AI‑native workspace for clinical development: one that makes trial decisions more traceable, collaborative and operationally robust.
We are now hiring a Lead, Business Development to help shape and scale Cori’s commercial engine from the ground up. This is a company‑shaping role for someone who wants to own strategic customer development, build relationships with senior life sciences leaders, and turn early traction into repeatable enterprise adoption. As Lead, Business Development, you will work directly with the founding team to identify, engage and convert strategic customers across pharma, biotech, CROs and clinical research organisations. This is not a narrow sales role. It is a hands‑on, strategic BD role at the earliest stage of a category‑defining company. You will help build the commercial playbook, shape our go‑to‑market strategy, open strategic customer conversations, structure pilots and partnerships, and translate market insight into product and commercial direction.
Responsibilities
- Build and manage a pipeline of high‑value opportunities across sponsors, CROs, biotech and clinical development organisations.
- Develop relationships with senior stakeholders across clinical, operational, digital, innovation and procurement teams.
- Lead early customer conversations, including discovery, qualification, demos, pilot scoping and commercial follow‑up.
- Help design and structure pilots, partnerships and enterprise opportunities.
- Work closely with the founders, product and clinical teams to translate customer pain points into product priorities and commercial positioning.
- Help shape Cori’s GTM strategy, including segmentation, messaging, pricing, customer success handoffs and expansion paths.
- Represent Cori externally at industry events, conferences and customer meetings.
- Build the foundations of our BD operating system, including CRM discipline, account planning, outreach motions, partnership materials, sales collateral and reporting.
- Bring market intelligence back into the company and help us understand where Cori can create the most urgent and differentiated value.
Qualifications
We are looking for someone with strong commercial instincts, excellent relationship‑building ability and a deep interest in transforming clinical development. You may be a great fit if you have:
- 5+ years of experience in business development, enterprise sales, strategic partnerships, commercial strategy or GTM roles.
- Experience selling to or partnering with pharma, biotech, CROs, clinical research organisations or life sciences technology companies.
- A strong understanding of enterprise buying cycles, especially where multiple senior stakeholders are involved.
- A track record of opening doors, building trust and progressing complex commercial conversations.
- The ability to sell consultatively, understanding customer problems deeply before proposing solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High ownership, pace and resilience in ambiguous environments.
- Comfort operating in an early‑stage company where the playbook is still being built.
- Strong judgement around when to push, when to listen and how to create long‑term strategic value.
Preferred qualifications
It would be a bonus if you have:
- Experience with clinical trial operations, clinical development, medical writing, protocol design, feasibility, regulatory workflows or clinical systems.
- Experience selling SaaS, AI, data, workflow or enterprise software into life sciences.
- An existing network across pharma, biotech, CROs or clinical innovation teams.
- Experience taking a product from early pilots to repeatable enterprise deals.
- Familiarity with tools or ecosystems such as Veeva, Medidata, CTMS, eTMF, EDC or clinical document workflows.
Business Development Lead in London employer: Cori Clinical
Cori is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of clinical development through innovative AI solutions. With a collaborative work culture that values strategic thinking and relationship-building, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change in the life sciences sector. The company provides ample growth opportunities, allowing you to work closely with founding members and industry leaders while contributing to a pioneering platform that enhances the efficiency of clinical trials.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the life sciences sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships is key to landing that Business Development Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework on Cori! Understand our mission and how we’re transforming clinical development. When you know our product inside out, you’ll be able to have meaningful conversations with stakeholders and show them how you can add value to our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll need to lead customer conversations, so get comfortable discussing our offerings and how they solve real-world problems. Role-play with friends or colleagues to refine your approach and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your experience in business development and your passion for clinical innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Business Development Lead role. Highlight your experience in building relationships with senior stakeholders and your understanding of the clinical development landscape. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Cori!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:In your application, emphasise your strong commercial instincts and any relevant experience in business development or enterprise sales. We’re looking for someone who can navigate complex conversations and turn early traction into repeatable success, so let us know how you've done this before!
Communicate Clearly:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, make sure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas and experiences. Remember, we want to understand your journey and how you can contribute to shaping Cori’s future!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This not only streamlines the process but also shows your enthusiasm for joining our team. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your application in the best light possible!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cori Clinical
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the clinical development landscape. Understand the challenges faced by sponsors, CROs, and biotech firms. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how Cori can address these pain points.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice your relationship-building skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex conversations and built trust with clients.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you would approach building a commercial playbook and shaping a go-to-market strategy. Be ready to share your thoughts on structuring pilots and partnerships, as well as translating market insights into actionable strategies.
✨Demonstrate Consultative Selling Skills
Be prepared to illustrate your consultative selling approach. Share specific instances where you identified customer problems and tailored solutions accordingly. This will highlight your ability to understand and address client needs effectively.
