Business Development, Associate Director EU

This position is responsible for leading and driving business development activities in Europe for WuXi AppTec discovery services. This position works closely with the technical team, lead generation team, other BD team members and senior management team to develop and execute commercial strategies that engage biotech founders, company builders and early-stage organisations, positioning WuXi's discovery services as the partner of choice across their drug discovery programmes. This position plays a senior cross-functional leadership role, aligning BD, Marketing, Project Management, Technical and Operations teams to ensure the consistent delivery of commercial objectives and exceptional client experience. The incumbent holds ownership of a portfolio of strategic key accounts across Europe, while simultaneously driving new business acquisition in line with regional growth targets. This job is remote / work from home in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Senior Director and VP to co-develop, and take direct ownership of executing, the European business development strategy for WuXi Discovery Services.
• Design and lead targeted engagement programmes with venture capital firms, incubators and accelerators, establishing WuXi as a preferred CRDMO partner within the European early-stage investment ecosystem, that align with WXAT technical capabilities and represent business opportunity.
• Lead and orchestrate VC, incubator and accelerator engagement strategies, integrating these with broader lead generation and marketing initiatives to build a robust European pipeline.
• Provide guidance on technical content of lead generation outreach materials.
• Lead contract negotiations and commercial discussions, acting as the primary point of accountability in transitioning new opportunities from business development through to project initiation, working in close collaboration with BD and technical teams.
• Reporting of European BD performance metrics, pipeline development and market intelligence, providing structured updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with key and strategic accounts across Europe, applying a structured key account management approach to maximise client retention, satisfaction and revenue growth.
• Work closely with all WuXi AppTec business units, project management teams and marketing to ensure coordination of efforts and ensure good communication with all parties.
• Support commercial team activities such as trade shows and client engagement events.
• Leverage market intelligence tools and commercial insight to maintain a thorough understanding of the European early-stage biotech and investment landscape, proactively identifying and prioritising high-value business opportunities.

Qualifications

• PhD in a chemistry or biology discipline.
• Minimum of 9-12 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
• Excellent and demonstrable technical knowledge of the principles of drug discovery, including an understanding of early-stage discovery workflows, target identification, hit-to-lead, lead optimisation and translational science, sufficient to engage credibly with PhD-level scientific stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of independently driving and closing significant business development opportunities within the drug discovery sector, with proven ability to develop and own regional commercial strategies.
• Proven track record in strategic key account management, including the development of multi-stakeholder account plans, executive relationship development and the ability to grow revenue within existing accounts.
• Strong technical communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Salesforce and MS Office Products (Outlook, PowerPoint, Project and Excel).
• Must be a self-starter, self-motivated, highly flexible.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented.
• Travel is required 30%, Domestic/International, Daily / Overnight.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by Management.