Global Business Development - Recruitment in Haywards Heath

Morgan Prestwich is one of the world's leading boutique Life Sciences Executive Search / Recruitment firms — a business built on a singular purpose: placing the talented people who change patients' lives.

Founded and led by CEO Greg Bell, Morgan Prestwich has earned a reputation as the trusted recruitment partner to the most ambitious and innovative organisations in global life sciences.

From R&D companies innovating the next world leading technologies to clinical-stage biotechs testing tomorrow's rare disease therapies to commercial-stage clients transforming the lives of patients globally.

Our clients choose us because we understand their world at the deepest level.

We operate across 41+ countries with strategically positioned teams across the US, UK, Europe, APAC and Middle East — speaking 15 languages and delivering Board, C-Suite, VP, Director and Manage-level searches with precision, integrity and genuine care.

Our core focus spans rare disease, cell & gene therapies, specialty medicine, Med Tech, CDMO, diagnostics, AI and digital health.

Our team is regularly invited to speak at, chair, and write for leading industry events, government forums, and global publications — testament to a business that is not just a recruitment firm, but a genuine thought leader in the life sciences talent landscape.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Morgan Prestwich is entering an exciting chapter of growth.

The global life sciences sector continues to expand — and demand for the calibre of recruitment services we deliver has never been stronger.

We are now looking for an exceptional Global Business Development Director — a high-impact, highly commercial individual who will open new client relationships, grow existing partnerships, and establish Morgan Prestwich as the search / recruitment partner of choice for the world's most ambitious life sciences organisations.

This is not a conventional recruitment sales role.

This is a strategic business development position at one of the world's most respected boutique search firms — where your expertise in the life sciences industry, your relationships, and your commercial instincts will directly shape the growth trajectory of the business.

You will operate with the autonomy of a senior leader, the backing of a world-class delivery team, and the credibility of a brand that has already earned the trust of clients globally.

The opportunity to make your mark — and to build something significant — is real.

• Position Focus
• New Business Development
• Identify, target and win new mandates with high-growth life sciences companies across the US, Europe, APAC and beyond — with a particular focus on Morgan Prestwich's core sectors: rare disease, cell & gene therapy, specialty medicine, Med Tech, CDMO and digital health.
• Build and convert a pipeline of new client prospects — developing relationships with CHROs, Heads of Talent, CEOs, CFOs, and hiring managers at clinical-stage and commercial-stage biotech, pharma, medtech and CDMO organisations.
• Lead commercial conversations with confidence — articulating Morgan Prestwich's unique value proposition, demonstrating deep sector knowledge, and positioning retained search, interim search, MSP and market mapping solutions against client needs.
• Represent Morgan Prestwich at industry conferences, investor forums, scientific events and leadership summits — acting as a senior ambassador and thought leader for the firm in the global life sciences community.
• Client Relationship Management
• Develop and deepen relationships with existing Morgan Prestwich clients — expanding the breadth of services utilised, increasing mandate volume, and ensuring every client relationship is strategically managed for long-term partnership.
• Serve as a senior client partner on key accounts — maintaining regular contact with client stakeholders, providing market intelligence, talent insights, and strategic advisory support that extends beyond individual search mandates.
• Collaborate closely with delivery teams to ensure seamless handover of mandates and consistent client experience throughout the search lifecycle.
• Monitor the global life sciences landscape — tracking funding rounds, clinical trial progress, regulatory milestones, and company growth signals — and translate these into proactive client outreach and business development activity.
• Build sector-specific business development strategies for target markets — including US East and West Coast biotech hubs, the UK/EU rare disease and cell therapy ecosystem, APAC biotech expansion, and CDMO market growth.
• Provide regular commercial reporting to the CEO and CCO — including pipeline status, win rates, revenue forecasts, and market insights that inform the firm's strategic direction.
• Brand Building
• Contribute to Morgan Prestwich's thought leadership — co-authoring market reports, white papers, and articles; participating in panel discussions and podcasts; and building personal visibility as a recognised voice in life sciences talent and executive search.
• Work with the leadership team to develop and refine Morgan Prestwich's commercial proposition across target markets, service lines, and geographies.
• WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for a rare combination — a commercially exceptional individual, someone who knows the industry, is looking to be part of a fabulous team who look after one another, are professional, someone who is a self-starter and process driven.

Someone who understands that in life sciences recruitment, relationships are built on trust, expertise and authenticity — not on transactional selling.

Experience & Background

• Significant experience in a senior business development, client partnership, or commercial leadership role — ideally within recruitment or executive search or been in a sales environment in the service sector of the life science industry eg CRO, CDMO, or a professional services firm serving the life sciences sector.
• A demonstrable track record of winning and growing significant commercial relationships — with evidence of new logo acquisition, retained mandate conversion, and long-term account growth.
• Deep knowledge of the global life sciences landscape — including an understanding of drug development stages, biotech financing cycles, key therapy areas, regulatory milestones, and the talent challenges facing life sciences organisations at different stages of growth.
• Existing relationships within the life sciences talent, HR, or leadership communities are a significant advantage — whether with CHROs, Heads of Talent, VCs, biotech boards, or senior scientific and commercial leadership.
• Experience working across multiple geographies — particularly the US and EU — with comfort engaging senior stakeholders across different cultural contexts.
• Commercial Skills
• Proven ability to identify, develop and close significant commercial opportunities — including entire team/company builds, retained search mandates, MSP agreements, and strategic talent partnerships.
• Strong consultative selling skills — able to diagnose client talent challenges, design bespoke solutions, and articulate the Morgan Prestwich value proposition with clarity and confidence.
• Commercially astute — understands fee structures, margin dynamics, and the economics of retained versus contingent search; able to negotiate and close with senior stakeholders.
• Self-directed and target-driven — capable of building and managing a commercial pipeline independently, with the discipline and ambition to consistently exceed revenue targets.
• Personal Qualities
• Genuine passion for the life sciences sector and its mission — you understand why this industry matters and can communicate that authentically to clients and candidates alike.
• Exceptional relationship builder — warm, credible, curious and invested in the people you work with; someone who earns trust quickly and sustains relationships over years.
• Highly articulate communicator — equally effective in a one-to-one client conversation, on a conference panel, or in a written market briefing; comfortable engaging at Board and C-suite level.
• Entrepreneurial and growth-minded — excited by the opportunity to build something significant within a firm that has already established global credentials and has significant runway for growth.
• Collaborative and values-driven — aligned with Morgan Prestwich's commitment to integrity, long-term partnership, and the belief that great science truly deserves great teams.

All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the global life sciences community we serve.

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