Sr. Director Strategic Accounts - Pharma (Europe)

Sr. Director Strategic Accounts - Pharma (Europe)

Full-Time 80000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Fortrea

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic accounts in pharma, driving growth and building key relationships.
  • Company: Fortrea, a leader in pharmaceutical services with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across multiple business units.
  • Why this job: Shape global strategies and make a real impact in the pharma industry.
  • Qualifications: Experience in strategic account management and strong negotiation skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.

This role sits at the center of Fortrea’s most important client relationships—partnering closely with the Global VP of Sales & Client Services, Business Unit Presidents, Scientific Leadership, and operational leaders to shape and execute bold global account strategies. You’ll own a high-impact portfolio of alliance, strategic, and key accounts, driving revenue growth, expanding market share, and strengthening long-term partnerships across multiple business units. Equal parts strategist, relationship architect, and commercial dealmaker, you’ll be the trusted face of the business to senior client decision-makers. At its core, this role is about owning the relationship, growing the business, and turning strategy into results—all while representing Fortrea at the highest level with confidence, credibility, and collaboration.

Summary of Responsibilities:

  • Works with Global Vice President of Sales and Client Services, Business Unit Presidents, Global Scientific Leadership, Strategic Partnering Leadership and local operational leaders to develop and execute global account strategy within targeted alliance, strategic and key accounts.
  • Directly accountable for achieving account portfolio financial goals and relationship building goals.
  • Growing market share of existing BU service lines.
  • Optimizing new BU service line launch financial goals.
  • Liaising with Alliance Management to identify, develop and execute integrated One Fortrea opportunities.
  • Build high-level relationships and manage a portfolio of defined alliance, strategic and key accounts; responsible for growing orders and profit share in selected accounts.
  • Build relationships with functional client decision makers critical to the business unit.
  • May represent multiple BU service lines to client base.
  • Sells the business unit’s capabilities and differentiation frameworks.
  • Principal account interface and commercial negotiator for all BU sites.
  • Liaises with Scientific Leadership and Marketing to target scientific input that adds value to account strategy and deepens Fortrea’s scientific perception within accounts.
  • Collaborates effectively with sales staff from other Fortrea units to bring potential opportunities to their attention and to identify and win multi-unit projects.
  • Develops and establishes long-term account plans.
  • Leads and negotiates business unit based MSA’s and preferred provider agreements.
  • Accountable for communicating account plans, modification and account activity through Salesforce.com.
  • Uses SFDC to manage internal communication and document territory and client information as required.
  • Assists in determining margins and pricing with Client Services.
  • Participates in proposal scope development as appropriate.
  • Liaises with BU general management to ensure high quality delivery of services to account portfolio.
  • Maintains frequent personal contact with clients.
  • Participates in corporate teams to build relationships with key accounts.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

  • Bachelor's degree in life science or business field preferred.
  • Advanced industry knowledge.
  • Demonstrated client retention skills.
  • Ability to manage difficult client and/or financial situations.
  • Ability to differentiate Fortrea from competitors.
  • Experience developing and executing strategic business plans.
  • Ability to manage and motivate client-facing teams.
  • Negotiation skills: Direct face-to-face negotiating experience with major clients.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in leading and presenting to executives and senior levels of the client organization.
  • Highly consultative with strong customer orientation.
  • Experience managing strategic accounts.
  • Knowledge of the drug development process.
  • Ability to influence disparate groups and individuals.
  • Strong financial acumen: delivering business results in a commercial environment; budgeting; financial planning and reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to acquire, grow and retain clients.
  • English required, both oral and written.

Experience (Minimum Required):

  • Extensive experience selling services directly to the pharmaceutical and biotech sector with direct interaction with mid-level and executive level decision makers.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

  • Leadership experience.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

  • Standard office environment.
  • Flexibility to participate in meetings across various time zones outside core working hours.
  • Occasionally working extended hours to adhere to client deliverable timelines or attend client meetings.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Disability accommodations available upon request.

Sr. Director Strategic Accounts - Pharma (Europe) employer: Fortrea

Fortrea is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a dynamic work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Sr. Director of Strategic Accounts in the pharmaceutical sector, you will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with key clients while driving impactful strategies that contribute to both personal and organisational success. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Fortrea provides a supportive environment that empowers you to excel in your role and advance your career.

Fortrea

Contact Details:

Fortrea Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sr. Director Strategic Accounts - Pharma (Europe)

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If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Fortrea. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.

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We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Director Strategic Accounts - Pharma (Europe)

Strategic Account Management
Client Relationship Building
Revenue Growth Strategies
Market Share Expansion
Commercial Negotiation
Leadership Skills
Financial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Fortrea!

Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Fortrea that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!

Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Fortrea!

Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Fortrea, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.

How to prepare for a job interview at Fortrea

Understand the Science

Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Fortrea that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.

Showcase Relevant Experience

If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.

Know Their Products

Take some time to familiarise yourself with Fortrea’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.

Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios

In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.