At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial growth and develop innovative strategies for clinical research.
- Company: Join Richmond Pharmacology, a leading CRO focused on early-phase clinical trials.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical, dental, pension, and generous leave.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and cultural change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the life sciences and advance medical research.
- Qualifications: Proven commercial leadership experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The main purpose of the Commercial Director is to drive sustainable commercial growth in line with the company's other strategic objectives to enhance Richmond Pharmacology's reputation as a leading clinical research organisation and ensure the company's revenue and other key financial objectives are met.
Commercial Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive company commercial strategy, in conjunction with the Founders and other Directors as appropriate.
- Ensure commercial development is focused on both existing services and the development and growth of new services across existing and new markets.
- Ensure commercial plans align with regulatory requirements and industry standards for clinical research.
- Ensure the company meets its net revenue and reputation objectives.
Business Development
- Lead business development efforts that create mutual benefits for both new and existing sponsors and services.
- Develop and implement additional service offerings within Richmond Pharmacology's clinical research portfolio to create new revenue streams, enhance sponsor value, and strengthen competitive differentiation in the CRO market.
- Build strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, research companies, and other complementary CROs that may span a variety of time horizons.
- Oversee proposal development, bid defence, and pricing strategies to maximise win rates, profitability, and reputation.
- Provide strategic leadership and governance over Richmond Pharmacology's key accounts, ensuring strong sponsor relationships, adherence to contractual obligations, and optimisation of revenue and new studies from existing sponsors.
Commercial Delivery
- Direct negotiation and execution of complex clinical trial agreements, master service agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
- Oversee completion of feasibility questionnaires, initial sponsor meetings, and site selection visits to ensure alignment with Richmond's clinical capabilities.
- Oversee the drafting and approval of study quotes, timelines, and clinical schedules in collaboration with relevant departments.
- Ensure contracts reflect accurate scope, timelines, and deliverables while mitigating financial and operational risks.
- Maintain compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), MHRA, EMA, and FDA guidelines in all contractual obligations.
- Ensure seamless transition from contract execution to commercial operational delivery of clinical trials.
- Collaborate with clinical project management and clinical operations teams to meet sponsor expectations and financial objectives.
- Monitor, and if necessary, influence project margins, resource allocation, and timelines to maintain commercial performance.
- Ensure all deviations from the original contracts are actively managed to enable financial and reputation objectives to be met.
Leadership and Governance
- Lead and develop high-performing commercial teams across business development and commercial contract/project management.
- Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks for commercial performance and sponsor satisfaction.
- Provide strategic input to the executive team on market dynamics, pricing models, and service innovation.
- Visibly champion process improvement initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of best practices, standard operating procedures, and tools that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Qualifications
- Vast experience of progressive commercial leadership in a similar industry.
- At least 5 years in senior roles with direct responsibility for revenue generation and strategic commercial planning.
- Demonstrated success in securing large-scale clinical trial contracts and long-term strategic partnerships with global sponsors.
- Experience in developing and executing global business development strategies, including pricing models and bid defence.
- Strong network within pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare sectors.
- Advanced skills in negotiating complex clinical trial agreements, master service agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
- Ability to manage financial forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis for multi-million-pound projects.
- Familiarity with risk management practices in clinical research contracting.
- Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams across business development and contract management.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including interaction with boards, investors, and regulatory bodies.
- Track record of driving cultural change.
About Richmond Pharmacology
Richmond Pharmacology is a leading Contract Research Organisation (CRO) specialising in early-phase clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we strive to advance medical research and contribute to the development of life‑changing therapies. Richmond Pharmacology is one of Europe's leading early‑phase Contract Research Organisations, focusing on phase 1, first‑in‑human studies, TQT studies and bridging studies. We have a growing phase 2 and phase 3 portfolio too and remain at the leading edge of trial design. Our continued growth and globally renowned research team make this an exciting environment to work for anyone with a passion for the life sciences, while our commitment to discovering the best talent from across the spectrum makes our dedicated clinical trials unit in London Bridge a truly diverse environment.
Salary and Benefits
Competitive + Benefits (Private Medical, Private Dental, Pension, 25 days Annual leave plus bank holidays & Many more)
Commercial Director employer: Richmond Pharmacology
Richmond Pharmacology is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London Bridge, where innovation and excellence in clinical research thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including private medical and dental care, a generous pension scheme, and ample annual leave, all while fostering a culture that values diversity and collaboration. Join us to be part of a leading CRO that not only drives sustainable commercial growth but also champions your professional development in the life sciences sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Commercial Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a killer pitch about your experience in driving commercial growth and securing partnerships. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure they see your value.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company inside out! Understand Richmond Pharmacology's mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs. This will show you're genuinely interested and invested.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of the Richmond team right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial leadership and business development. We want to see how your skills align with our goals at Richmond Pharmacology!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven revenue growth or secured major contracts. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:While we appreciate a friendly tone, ensure your application maintains professionalism. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the clinical research field. We want to get to know you, but we also need to see your expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and you can easily track your application status. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richmond Pharmacology
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Richmond Pharmacology's commercial strategy. Understand their current market position and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to developing and executing a comprehensive commercial strategy.
✨Showcase Your Business Development Skills
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in business development. Highlight any strategic partnerships you've built and how they benefited your previous employers. This will demonstrate your ability to lead business development efforts that create mutual benefits for sponsors and services.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since the role involves negotiating complex agreements, brush up on your negotiation skills. Think of scenarios where you successfully negotiated contracts or agreements, and be prepared to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will show your capability in handling the complexities of clinical trial agreements.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Richmond Pharmacology values strong leadership, so come prepared to talk about your experience in leading high-performing teams. Share how you've established KPIs, driven process improvements, and contributed to team success. This will highlight your ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams effectively.
