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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive business growth in life sciences by developing new opportunities and managing key accounts.
- Company: Rapidly expanding life sciences organisation with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead impactful projects in a dynamic environment while mentoring future leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within life sciences and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the business development function and work with industry experts.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: UK (with flexibility for travel to company sites and client locations - US, UK, EU)
Department: Commercial / Sales / Business Development
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Role Purpose
The Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) will drive commercial growth by developing new business, expanding key accounts, and shaping strategic opportunities across the medical device, pharmaceutical, and life sciences sectors. This role requires a blend of technical understanding, commercial acumen, and leadership capability. The successful candidate will be someone with significant industry experience who can either step directly into a team‑management role or grow into one within a defined time frame.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Growth & Market Development
- Develop and execute business development plans that support the organisation’s commercial strategy.
- Identify, qualify, and convert opportunities across the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech, and related markets.
- Position the company’s testing, analytical, and regulatory support services effectively for customer needs.
- Lead on complex proposal development, pricing models, and contract negotiations.
- Key Account & Client Relationship Management
- Build and maintain long‑term relationships with key clients, acting as a trusted advisor on testing and compliance requirements.
- Deepen engagement with existing accounts, identifying cross‑selling and up‑selling opportunities.
- Coordinate with operational, technical, and laboratory teams to ensure high‑quality service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Market Intelligence & Strategy
- Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, competitor landscapes, and emerging technologies.
- Provide regular insight to the commercial leadership team to inform strategic planning.
- Assess new service areas, service enhancements, or geographic opportunities.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Mentor junior business development and sales colleagues, supporting their development and performance.
- Contribute to the design and structure of the wider business development function.
- Take on line‑management responsibility where appropriate, with the potential to grow into a broader leadership role.
- Reporting & Forecasting
- Maintain accurate pipeline information within CRM systems.
- Produce regular sales forecasts, reports, and KPI updates for the CCO and senior leadership.
- Support budgeting, target setting, and commercial planning processes.
Required Experience & Competencies
- Industry & Technical Background
- Significant experience in business development or sales within life sciences, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or contract testing / CRO / CDMO environments.
- Understanding of laboratory testing services, regulatory frameworks (e.g., GMP, GLP, ISO 17025), and compliance considerations.
- Commercial Expertise
- Proven track record of winning new business and managing complex or multi‑service deals.
- Strong negotiation, presentation, and proposal development skills.
- Ability to engage confidently with both technical and C‑suite stakeholders.
- Leadership Capability
- Experience managing or mentoring team members or a clear ability to step into a management role soon.
- Strong organisational, planning, and decision‑making skills.
- Analytical & Operational Skills
- Comfortable working with CRM tools and commercial analytics.
- Ability to interpret and present both commercial and technical information effectively.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, engineering, business, or a related discipline (required).
- Professional commercial or scientific memberships (advantageous).
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial instincts.
- Collaborative, approachable, and able to build rapport quickly.
- Accountable, resilient, and able to lead through change.
- Customer‑centric, with a high level of integrity and professionalism.
- Proactive, resourceful, and motivated by continuous improvement.
What the Organisation Offers
- A senior commercial role with the opportunity to build or lead part of the business development function.
- A supportive, growth‑oriented environment within a rapidly expanding life sciences organisation.
- Competitive compensation with performance incentives.
- Career progression into broader commercial or leadership roles.
- Regular professional development and exposure to technical subject matter experts.
Senior Business Development Manager in Manchester employer: Sci-Rec
Contact Detail:
Sci-Rec Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Business Development Manager in Manchester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Senior Business Development Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in business development and your understanding of the life sciences sector. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth in previous roles.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on the company and its competitors. Be ready to discuss market trends and how you can contribute to their commercial strategy. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in the company's success.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Business Development Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Business Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in business development, especially in life sciences or medical devices, and showcase any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven business growth and built client relationships in the past. We love a good story that shows your passion and expertise!
Showcase Your Industry Knowledge: In your application, demonstrate your understanding of the life sciences sector and any relevant regulatory frameworks. Mention any trends or technologies you’re excited about. This will show us that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely interested in the industry!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and let us know why you’d be a great addition to our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sci-Rec
✨Know Your Industry Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and regulations in the life sciences, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals sectors. Being able to discuss current market dynamics and how they impact business development will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential leader who understands the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully driven business growth in previous roles. Highlight your experience with complex proposals, pricing models, and negotiations. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to engage with C-suite stakeholders and win new business.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, interviews are as much about fit as they are about skills. Be approachable and collaborative in your responses. Share stories that illustrate your ability to build long-term relationships with clients and mentor team members, showing that you can lead and inspire others.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Since this role requires a blend of technical understanding and commercial expertise, be prepared to answer questions about laboratory testing services and regulatory frameworks. Brush up on key compliance considerations like GMP and GLP, so you can speak confidently about how these impact business development strategies.
