Director of Business Development (UK) in London

Sygnature Discovery is a world‑leading integrated drug discovery Contract Research Organisation based in the UK and Canada with its headquarters in Nottingham and additional facilities in Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Glasgow, Montreal and Quebec City. Its staff of over 1,000, which includes 900 scientists, partners with global pharma, biotech and NFP organisations.

Since 2004, Sygnature Discovery has delivered over 56 novel pre‑clinical and 35 clinical compounds, with its scientists named on over 225 patents. Therapeutic areas of expertise include oncology, inflammation and immunology, neuroscience, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and more.

We’re looking for an experienced and seasoned Business Development Director to join our Business Development team. This is a remote role that can be based anywhere in the UK. The role will require up to 50% travel.

Reporting to the Vice President of Business Development – Europe / ROW, you will be responsible for driving the overall business development strategy within the UK territory, establishing Sygnature Discovery as the partner of choice for all discovery services. You will also support and develop strategic partnership activities to deliver high‑value, high‑quality, and long‑term partnerships/benefits to the business with both new and existing customers.

The successful candidate will be an experienced (minimum 6 years) consultative sales professional with front‑end sales experience and a proven track record of capturing attention, building trust, uncovering needs, and developing long‑lasting customer relationships.

You must be a creative thinker that finds solutions with the ability to exceed the goals and the tenacity to achieve those goals. Significant relationships in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries, particularly in the field of small molecule drug discovery and chemical development, are a must.

• Secure and retain business through professional, consultative and proactive activities directed at decision‑makers and decision influencers within the Biotech, Pharmaceutical and VC associated industries.
• Interact with internal Scientific Operations, Senior Management, Marketing, Therapeutic Area Leads etc. to support growth of these markets, identifying project opportunities and strengthening existing client relationships.
• Position Sygnature as a primary or preferred provider for all discovery services.
• Conduct market research and gather information on potential new clients or new business opportunities and projects.
• Identify leads, develop and/or maintain contact, and establish relationships with key prospects with the objective of converting them to customers.
• Develop new business opportunities that capitalize on our current service capabilities and use internal resources efficiently to convert these opportunities into successful contracts that improve the company’s financial performance.
• Lead sales cycle with contract service and/or strategic partnerships from a generation of interest to contract close.
• Build a robust pipeline of high quality, actionable opportunities that achieve or exceed annual revenue targets.
• Keep abreast of overall business trends, particularly the current business climate within assigned market sectors.
• Track competitor activity by monitoring websites, collateral presentations, trade journals, and discussion lists.
• Create and participate in meetings, presentations, and proposal process for new and existing customers.
• Network and interact across all communication platforms on a regular basis and be the face of the company at key events, conferences, and exhibitions.

• Degree level or equivalent in a scientific, business, or life sciences field.
• Significant experience working within the drug discovery industry and a strong fundamental understanding of drug discovery and Sygnature’s value proposition.
• Proven success in a target‑driven business development role in Europe.
• Able to create short‑term and long‑term value by establishing mutually beneficial relationships with new and existing customers.
• Analytical skills with the ability to read, analyse and interpret data and produce reports and documents to support closing arguments.
• Results‑focused with demonstrable results achieving or exceeding commercial targets over multiple years.
• Excellent relationship builder across all levels, internally and externally.
• Matrix management abilities.
• Understand and use financial models to make recommendations or decisions on commercial terms with the ability to shape value propositions.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work in a fast‑moving high‑pressure environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to see work through from start to finish.
• Enthusiastic and self‑motivated with a great sense of ownership.

25 days annual leave (plus)