Strategic Commercial Director – Pharma & Biotech in London

Strategic Commercial Director – Pharma & Biotech in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
RELX Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape and deliver growth strategies in the Pharma and Biotech sector.
  • Company: Join Elsevier, a global leader in information and analytics.
  • Benefits: Generous holiday, health benefits, wellbeing programs, and learning resources.
  • Other info: Promote a healthy work/life balance with numerous employee initiatives.
  • Why this job: Drive impactful commercial strategies and collaborate with diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Pharma/Biotech and strong strategic thinking skills.

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

We are seeking a Commercial Director to help shape and deliver our growth strategy within the Pharma and Biotech segment. In this role, you will use market insight, collaboration, and strategic thinking to identify opportunities, support product innovation, and drive effective go‑to‑market execution. You will ensure that we focus on the biggest opportunities to grow our market share and that we translate commercial strategy into effective execution plans. You will work closely with colleagues across product, sales, marketing, and strategy to create value for customers and the business. This role would report to the Managing Director of Elsevier's Life Sciences business.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Define and prioritise market segments, by region, solution, and type of organisation.
  • Develop commercial strategies, ensuring that our execution plans are consistent with commercial priorities.
  • Identify growth opportunities, including pricing, packaging, and portfolio innovation.
  • Build market understanding through trends analysis, customer insight, and competitive intelligence.
  • Support product‑market fit by aligning positioning, pricing, and go‑to‑market approaches.
  • Share customer feedback and insights to inform continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Champion a positive end‑to‑end customer experience, from purchase through ongoing use.
  • Influence, collaborate and lead cross‑functional teams to deliver commercial outcomes.

Experience and Skills:

  • Experience or strong familiarity with the Pharma Biotech sector.
  • Experience contributing to commercial strategy, go‑to‑market planning, or market development.
  • Strong strategic, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to balance big picture with going into the detail.
  • Confidence working collaboratively across teams and within matrix environments.
  • Clear, inclusive communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • A proactive, adaptable approach, a self‑starter with a track record of delivering results.

Elsevier is a global leader in information and analytics that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. We serve the research, academic and clinical communities through the application of technology and analytics to content. Our portfolio of solutions brings together extensive scientific, technical and medical content, powerful analytics, and technologies. Elsevier's Life Sciences business focuses on the needs in segments including Pharma, biotech, medical devices and adjacent industries. Our solutions include journals, chemistry, biology and safety tools, as well as datasets and software solutions.

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long‑term goals. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days.
  • Health screening, eye care vouchers and private medical benefits.
  • Wellbeing programs.
  • Life assurance.
  • Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme.
  • Save As You Earn share option scheme.
  • Travel Season ticket loan.
  • Electric Vehicle Scheme.
  • Optional Dental Insurance.
  • Maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Access to emergency care for both the elderly and children.
  • RE CARES days, giving you time to support the charities and causes that matter to you.
  • Access to employee resource groups with dedicated time to volunteer.
  • Access to extensive learning and development resources.
  • Access to employee discounts scheme via Perks at Work.

We are looking for a Commercial Director who is passionate about driving growth and shaping our commercial strategy in the pharma and biotech market.

Strategic Commercial Director – Pharma & Biotech in London employer: RELX Group

Elsevier is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation within the Pharma and Biotech sectors. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous benefits, and extensive learning opportunities, we empower our team to achieve both personal and professional growth while making meaningful contributions to society. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare and science in a supportive and inclusive culture.

RELX Group

Contact Details:

RELX Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Commercial Director – Pharma & Biotech in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want to show that you’re not just interested in the role, but that you understand the market landscape and can bring valuable insights to the table.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with the job requirements. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to make it personal.

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Commercial Director – Pharma & Biotech in London

Market Insight
Strategic Thinking
Collaboration
Product Innovation
Go-to-Market Execution
Commercial Strategy Development
Trends Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategic Commercial Director role. Highlight your experience in the Pharma and Biotech sectors, and show how your skills align with our growth strategy. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Share examples of how you've identified growth opportunities or developed commercial strategies in the past. We love seeing candidates who can balance the big picture with the nitty-gritty details.

Highlight Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Talk about how you've influenced cross-functional teams to achieve commercial outcomes. We value clear communication and teamwork!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at RELX Group

Know Your Market Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the Pharma and Biotech sectors. Understand current trends, key players, and emerging opportunities. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their growth strategy.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in developing commercial strategies and executing go-to-market plans. Be ready to discuss how you've identified growth opportunities in the past and how you can apply those insights to this role.

Emphasise Collaboration Skills

Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, be sure to share specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with product, sales, or marketing teams. Highlight your ability to influence and lead in a matrix environment.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you convey your experiences effectively and demonstrate your strong communication skills.