At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth strategies and build partnerships in the life sciences sector.
- Company: Join BioXcelerate AI, a pioneer in AI-led life sciences innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of healthcare innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery and life sciences with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development and strong knowledge of life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
ABOUT US
Want to accelerate the future of AI-led life sciences innovation? So do we.
At BioXcelerate AI, we combine specialist health data science, advanced statistics, machine learning, bioinformatics and software engineering to help life sciences organisations solve complex research and development challenges and generate actionable insight at speed.
Through platforms and solutions such as DiscoveryX, BioXcelerate AI supports genetics-led drug discovery, target identification, biomarker refinement and translational research, enabling pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and healthcare clients to improve speed, confidence and return on investment in early-stage research and development.
THE ROLE
This role is for a commercially credible growth and partnerships leader who understands how specialist data science, AI, bioinformatics and translational research capability can create value for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, charity and wider life sciences organisations.
You will help BioXcelerate AI move opportunities from promising scientific capability to funded client engagement, strengthening strategic relationships, shaping commercially compelling propositions and supporting sustainable revenue growth across global life sciences markets.
As Head of Growth & Partnerships, you will work closely with the Director and the scientific, data science, engineering and product teams to convert technical and scientific expertise into client value. You will engage senior scientific, technology, commercial and executive stakeholders, including teams within major multinational biopharmaceutical companies, and help shape solutions aligned to client needs in drug discovery, genomics, translational research and early-phase R&D.
Your role will include:
- Co-lead the commercial strategy for BioXcelerate AI with a clear focus on sustainable revenue growth, profitability and pipeline development and market expansion.
- Support commercial performance management, including forecasting, pricing, margin management, financial planning and P&L discipline.
- Identify, qualify and convert new business opportunities across global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, academic, charity and life sciences organisations.
- Lead business development activity from prospecting and qualification through to proposal development, pitching, negotiation and proposal submission.
- Own selected strategic client accounts and build account growth plans that identify expansion, renewal, cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.
- Build, strengthen and retain strategic client and partner relationships across pharma, biotech, academia, charities, investors and the wider life sciences ecosystem.
- Own or support key account management strategy, including account plans, stakeholder maps, renewal plans, growth opportunities and measurable customer success objectives.
- Partner with the Director and scientific, data science, engineering and product teams to convert scientific capability into commercially compelling opportunities.
- Lead senior-level client conversations, proposals, pitches and commercial negotiations.
- Develop a clear go-to-market approach for BioXcelerate AI's platforms, products and bespoke solutions, including DiscoveryX and related health data science offerings.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity and client demand across the pharmaceutical and life sciences ecosystem to inform commercial planning.
- Represent BioXcelerate AI externally at client meetings, industry events, conferences, investor meetings and strategic partnership discussions.
ABOUT YOU
You are a commercially driven growth and partnerships leader with a strong understanding of life sciences innovation, data-led drug discovery and the needs of pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and charity clients. You can operate strategically while remaining close to the detail of client relationships, partnership development, proposal activity, commercial execution and delivery outcomes.
You bring the gravitas to engage senior stakeholders, the curiosity to understand complex science and technology, and the commercial discipline to scale BioXcelerate AI's growth in a focused and profitable way, while contributing to the operational rhythm of a growing business.
Essential
- Proven experience in a senior commercial, business development, sales leadership, client growth, partnerships or strategic partnerships role within life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical services, health data, AI, SaaS, consulting or a related technical environment.
- Strong knowledge of the global pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, including how pharma, biotech, academic, charity and innovation organisations buy specialist data, technology, analytics or scientific services.
- Demonstrable track record of driving revenue growth, improving profitability and retaining or expanding key client accounts.
- Experience owning selected strategic accounts and relationship growth, including account planning, executive stakeholder engagement, renewal, expansion and cross-sell or up-sell activity.
- Proven ability to create and execute new business development plans, including target account identification, outbound engagement, opportunity qualification, proposal development, pitching and conversion of complex opportunities.
- Experience managing complex enterprise sales cycles involving senior scientific, technical, procurement and executive stakeholders.
- Understanding of the drug discovery process, early-phase R&D and the role of data-driven insight in target discovery, validation, biomarker development and translational research.
- Ability to support pricing, forecasting, financial planning, recruitment and business operations in a growth-stage environment.
- High levels of credibility with scientific, technical, executive, investor and partner stakeholders.
- Commercially analytical, with strong understanding of revenue, margin, pricing, forecasting and P&L performance.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with a collaborative leadership style and strong customer success orientation.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of genomics, genetics-led drug discovery, bioinformatics, health data science or related scientific domains.
- Experience working with or selling into global pharmaceutical companies, biotech organisations, academic institutions, charities, research institutions or life sciences innovation teams.
- Experience developing go-to-market approaches for platforms, products and bespoke data science or scientific services solutions.
- Experience representing an organisation at conferences, industry events, investor meetings or strategic partnership discussions.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-related bonus or incentive plan
- Flexible working arrangements
- Private medical insurance
- Pension scheme
- Opportunity to help shape the commercial growth of an AI-led life sciences business
Head of Growth & Partnerships - Lifesciences employer: Optima Partners
Optima Partners is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant City of Edinburgh, offering a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and professional growth. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will not only lead impactful projects but also have the opportunity to mentor junior colleagues, ensuring a supportive environment for continuous learning. With a focus on delivering actionable insights across various sectors, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a real difference in the field of machine learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth & Partnerships - Lifesciences
✨Get to Grips with Data Visualisation Tools
If you're aiming for a full-time role in business intelligence, brush up on your skills with popular data visualisation tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showcasing projects where you've transformed raw data into clear visual insights can give you a real edge.
✨Join Local Business Intelligence Meetups
Look for local business intelligence meetups or analytics conferences in your area. These events are not just great for learning but also for networking with industry professionals who could lead you to opportunities at companies like Optima Partners!
✨Engage with Online BI Communities
Join online forums or communities focused on business intelligence—think LinkedIn groups, Reddit threads, or even dedicated Slack channels. Engage actively by sharing your insights and asking questions; this can help you build visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Support
If you're a recent graduate, definitely tap into your university's career services. Many have connections with companies in need of full-time BI specialists, and they can guide you on how to pitch yourself effectively—don't miss out on that!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth & Partnerships - Lifesciences
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at Optima Partners, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Optima Partners
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
✨Practice your technical know-how
Expect some technical questions during the interview that dive deep into your understanding of data modelling and analytics frameworks. Brush up on your knowledge of data warehousing concepts and be ready to tackle any real case scenarios they might present. They’ll want to see how you approach problems using your BI toolkit.
✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with Optima Partners’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.