At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in bioanalytical solutions across academic and research markets.
- Company: Join a leading company in analytical sciences with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Remote work flexibility, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and excellent career advancement potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the scientific community while expanding your network.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in sales/business development; strong communication and analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Overview
We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and results driven Business Development Manager to join our team.
The ideal candidate will drive growth and expand market presence for bioanalytical solutions across academic institutions, government research labs, core facilities, non‑profit research centres, CROs and Pharma Discovery Labs.
This role places strong emphasis on communicating the value of LC‑MS–based and flow cytometry bioanalytical endpoints to diverse scientific communities.
You will collaborate closely with regional sales and marketing teams, develop targeted commercial plans for academic and research markets, and build trusted relationships with institutional stakeholders, PIs, core directors, and scientific staff.
This is a remote position, with flexibility to work from any location in the US ( with preference to west coast US)
Responsibilities
- Lead Generation & Market Expansion
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities across academic departments, shared resource facilities, government labs, and pharma research organizations.
- Generate and qualify leads through scientific networking, campus visits, conferences, workshops, and digital outreach.
- Sales Funnel Management
- Develop and execute strategies to broaden adoption of bioanalytical technologies in research-intensive organisations.
- Maintain an accurate sales pipeline and provide reliable forecasting for the target customer segment.
- Sales Support
- Collaborate with regional sales and marketing teams to convert academic and research opportunities into orders.
- Support the sales process through technical presentations, workflow discussions, demonstrations, and proposal/quote negotiation.
- Tactical Sales Planning
- Develop and implement sales plans tailored to academic funding cycles, grant landscapes, and institutional priorities.
- Set and monitor target performance to ensure goals aligned with the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) are achieved or exceeded.
- Sales Enablement
- Deliver remote and in person‑ training for sales and marketing teams focused on academic bioanalytical workflows, research applications, and adoption drivers.
- Provide tools, content, and positioning strategies designed specifically for academic and government research environments.
- Sales & Marketing Initiatives
- Use virtual platforms, academic seminar programs, webinars, and outreach events to expand awareness and build the funnel in academic and pharmaceutical discovery markets
- Create and execute promotional initiatives aligned with academic research trends and institutional needs.
- Customer Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong, long term‑ relationships with principal investigators, lab managers, core directors, and research administration.
- Collect and communicate customer insights, research challenges, and success stories to guide commercial strategy.
- Ensure exceptional customer service to support recurring business and long‑term partnerships.
- Sales Reporting & Analysis
- Provide regular updates on performance, market dynamics, grant trends, and customer feedback to the Pharma Program Lead.
- Use data-driven insights to adjust strategies and maximize success in the target customer segment.
- Technical Expertise
- Maintain a strong working knowledge of quantitative and qualitative LC‑MS, flow cytometry, and complementary analytical technologies.
- Communicate technical and workflow advantages effectively to scientific audiences with varying levels of expertise.
- Product Development Input
- Capture feedback from researchers, core facility staff, and field sales teams to support ongoing refinement of bioanalytical solutions.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Partner with sales, marketing, product management, and the broader Waters Analytical Science business segment to deliver cohesive, research-focused solutions to customers.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a lifescience related‑ field.
- An MBA or a Master’s/Ph D in a scientific discipline is highly advantageous.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in sales or business development serving academic, government, or pharmaceutical scientific markets.
- Demonstrated ability to assess research needs and translate them into effective commercial strategies.
- Proficiency with Salesforce CRM and business analytics tools for managing pipelines, forecasting, and account planning, as well as Microsoft Office suite.
Skills and Abilities
- Strategic Sales & Marketing
- Ability to identify, target, and engage high value‑ research institutions and Pharmaceutical Discovery customers.
- Skilled in developing marketing strategies tailored to academic research cycles and organizational structures.
- Networking & Relationship Management
- Proven ability to build long-term relationships across universities, core facilities, research institutes, and Pharmaceutical Discovery labs.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills that enable connection with researchers, Lab Directors and internal teams.
- Analytical & Negotiation Skills
- Strong analytical mindset to interpret scientific trends, grant funding patterns, and organisational priorities.
- Effective negotiation skills for instrument sales, multi-group purchases, and service or workflow agreements.
- Communication & Presentation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to clearly present complex scientific solutions.
- Creative self-starter who can design and execute impactful customer engagement programs.
- Ability to motivate and influence cross-functional teams.
- Technical Expertise
- Deep understanding of liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and flow cytometry as applied to academic, Pharmaceutical Discovery and translational research.
- Ability to communicate research applications, workflow integration, and value propositions to diverse scientific audiences.
- Travel Requirement
- Willingness to travel up to 50% for campus visits, seminars, conferences, customer meetings, and team activities.
- Reporting Line
- Reports directly to the Pharma lead within the LCMS Business Segment in the Analytical Sciences Division
Principal Business Development Manager Pharma employer: Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Director of Legal role in Wilmslow, Cheshire, where you can engage in meaningful work that directly impacts global health and safety. With a culture rooted in innovation and collaboration, employees benefit from high levels of autonomy, significant international exposure, and genuine career development prospects within a well-structured legal function. The competitive salary package, hybrid working model, and commitment to employee well-being make Waters a standout choice for professionals seeking a rewarding and impactful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Business Development Manager Pharma
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
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Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Waters Corporation.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Business Development Manager Pharma
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Waters Corporation!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Waters Corporation that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Waters Corporation!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Waters Corporation, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waters Corporation
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Waters Corporation that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Waters Corporation’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
