At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead enterprise business development and build strategic partnerships in life sciences.
- Company: Pioneering life science organisation with a global reach and innovative technologies.
- Benefits: Autonomy, ownership, and the chance to shape commercial strategy in a high-growth environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving growth and innovation in the life sciences sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in life science sales and proven success in closing complex deals.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced commercial leader who thrives in long-cycle, enterprise-level business development? Do you enjoy building high-value strategic partnerships within research-use life science markets? Are you motivated by autonomy, ownership, and the opportunity to shape commercial strategy in a high-growth environment?
Fraser Dove International is partnering exclusively with a pioneering life science organisation. Operating across Europe with global commercial reach, they are committed to advancing research innovation through differentiated technologies and strategic collaborations. Our client is seeking a senior, hands-on commercial leader to own and scale enterprise business development partnerships across academia, biopharma, and strategic industry partners.
Your objectives: As the Vice President of Business Development, you will be measured against the following objectives:
- Build and convert a high-quality enterprise opportunity pipeline that delivers predictable, long-term revenue growth.
- Structure and close strategic collaborations that balance near-term commercial value with long-term optionality.
- Establish disciplined, transparent business development processes that support forecasting, decision making, and cross-functional alignment.
What you will do: As the Vice President of Business Development, your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Own full-cycle enterprise business development from prospecting through negotiation, contracting, and post-signature execution.
- Engage senior stakeholders and C-suite decision makers across academia, biopharma, and strategic industry partners.
- Design and negotiate complex commercial structures, including value-based pricing, collaborations, and co-marketing models.
- Maintain rigorous Customer Relationship Management (CRM) discipline, ensuring accurate forecasting, documentation, and handover.
- Act as the senior commercial face to key partners while personally driving outreach, follow-up, and deal progression.
- Collaborate closely with Research and Development (R&D) and Operations to align partner needs with technical and operational delivery.
- Build and refine scalable business development processes suited to a lean, high-growth environment.
These are the skills and experience you will need to succeed as the Vice President of Business Development:
- Significant experience selling research-use life science technologies to academic and biopharma customers.
- A proven track record of closing long-cycle, enterprise-level commercial deals with complex stakeholders.
- Strong commercial and strategic judgement, with confidence in negotiation and deal structuring.
- High autonomy, resilience, and comfort operating in an evolving, startup-style environment.
- Excellent communication skills with credibility at senior and executive level.
- A Bachelor of Science (BSc) or equivalent degree in a relevant life science or commercial discipline.
- An advanced degree or postgraduate qualification is desirable.
Got what it takes? To apply for the Vice President of Business Development, click the ‘Apply’ button.
Vice President of Business Development in Leeds employer: Fraser Dove International
Contact Detail:
Fraser Dove International Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President of Business Development in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend conferences, and join relevant online forums. The more people you know in the life sciences space, the better your chances of landing that VP role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your success stories! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to share specific examples of how you've built partnerships and closed deals. Numbers speak volumes, so highlight your achievements!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you're interested in, even if they’re not hiring. Express your interest and see if you can set up an informational chat to discuss potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it super easy for you to submit your application for the Vice President of Business Development role. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President of Business Development in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in enterprise-level business development. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements in building strategic partnerships!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, emphasise your track record of closing complex deals and engaging with senior stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong commercial judgement, so share specific examples that illustrate your negotiation skills.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional achievements. Don’t be afraid to express your passion for life sciences and business development!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fraser Dove International
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the life science sector, especially focusing on research-use technologies. Understand the current trends, key players, and challenges in the market. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their strategic goals.
✨Showcase Your Success Stories
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in closing long-cycle, enterprise-level deals. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Highlight how you navigated complex stakeholder environments and what strategies you employed to achieve results.
✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders
Since the role involves engaging C-suite decision-makers, practice articulating your value proposition clearly and confidently. Be ready to discuss how you would approach building relationships with these stakeholders and how you can align their needs with the company’s offerings.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you would structure and negotiate complex commercial deals. Think about potential scenarios and how you would balance immediate commercial value with long-term strategic options. This will show your ability to think critically and strategically in a high-growth environment.