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- Tasks: Lead strategic business development and negotiate impactful deals in biomedical research.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, health support, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health innovation while collaborating with top scientists.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development, negotiation, and a background in biosciences required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary for this Role: Competitive with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Reports to: Donna Hackett
Closing Date: 02/Feb/2026 23.59 GMT
Job Description:
The Crick Innovation and Business team has been created to establish an expanded translational and commercial offering from the Crick. There are four core functions: Translation & Entrepreneurship, Commercial Portfolio, Business Development and Business Operations.
The Business Development team is responsible for driving the development and execution of the Crick's translation and commercial activity. This involves identifying partners for different translational and commercial opportunities, negotiating and concluding optimal deals and post-signature management to ensure delivery of such agreements.
We are seeking a Strategic Business Development Lead (known internally as Senior Business Manager) with demonstrated expertise in innovation, commercialisation, intellectual property (IP), and due diligence to join this team. Working closely with the Head of Business Development and the Business Development team, you will ensure appropriate identification, negotiation, conclusion and post-signature management of deals that further the Crick strategy, while protecting the charitable objectives.
You will be a commercially driven professional with a strong track record in opportunity assessment, licensing, and contract negotiation within the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. Highly skilled in stakeholder management across academic and commercial settings, you will be equipped with quantitative capabilities to support financial modelling and commercial evaluations.
You will possess a background in bioscience or a related discipline and/or equivalent experience and be experienced in establishing spin-out companies and partnering in the biomedical field and potentially incubator deals. Crucially you will have a dynamic and proactive energy that truly engages stakeholders and embeds relationships to unlock exciting opportunities.
What you will be doing:
- Negotiate and secure deals, including undertaking the development and execution of the Crick's translation and commercial activity
- Deliver market, competitor and financial analyses to support commercialisation of the translational pipeline and development of the overall commercial portfolio
- Provide commercial and translational portfolio analysis (including resourcing and forecasting) across all Business Office team functions
- Produce insight and analysis outputs, including reports, briefings, presentations, recommendations and analytics/data visualisation
- Secure next stage investment for translational projects and spin-outs emerging from Crick research
- Work with the Business Office Operations team to ensure the collection and maintenance of appropriate and accurate commercial data and information
About you:
- Strong liaison and negotiation skills with the ability to respond appropriately, confidently and sensitively in relation to academic and commercial partners/clients
- Extensive experience of technology/opportunity assessment, marketing and licensing, as well as legal and technical aspects of contract, collaboration, licensing and corporate agreements. This needs to be evidenced through a deal sheet.
- An extensive network in the investment, pharmaceutical and biotech industry, gained through experience of working in or with such sector.
- Highly organised with comprehensive experience of working in a demanding environment, either academia or industry. Demonstrating the ability to command the confidence of all those reliant on the effective delivery
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and explain concepts clearly
- Undergraduate degree in bioscience or related discipline, or equivalent experience
About Working at the Crick:
Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick's mission and shaping our culture. We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We're not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We're highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply.
If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: ruby.oluwafemi@crick.ac.uk
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programs. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups' support, community and inclusive social events.
- Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
Strategic Business Development Lead in London employer: Crick Group
Contact Detail:
Crick Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Business Development Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential partners or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Crick Institute and its projects thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your skills in negotiation and deal-making can contribute to their mission. Tailor your examples to show how you’ve successfully navigated similar challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring along some insights or analyses you've done in previous roles that relate to commercialisation or business development. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and strategically, which is key for the Strategic Business Development Lead role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Crick team and contributing to their innovative work.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Business Development Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic Business Development Lead role. Highlight your experience in innovation, commercialisation, and stakeholder management. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at the Crick!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any relevant deals you've secured or projects you've led.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love seeing how you’ve driven success in business development and commercial activities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crick Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Crick's mission and the role of the Strategic Business Development Lead. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and partnerships, especially in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Network
Be ready to discuss your extensive network within the investment, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. Prepare examples of how you've leveraged these connections in past roles to secure deals or partnerships. This will demonstrate your ability to bring valuable relationships to the table.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your negotiation skills and stakeholder management. Think of specific scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or managed diverse stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Bring Data to the Table
Since the role involves financial modelling and commercial evaluations, be prepared to discuss your analytical skills. Bring examples of reports or analyses you've produced in the past, and be ready to explain how they influenced decision-making. This will highlight your quantitative capabilities and strategic thinking.
