Description
About the Role
We are seeking a highly motivated and strategic Director of Sales & Business Development to lead commercial growth and establish long-term customer relationships. This individual will be responsible for driving revenue through direct sales, strategic partnerships, and business development initiatives across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic markets.
The ideal candidate combines scientific understanding with strong commercial instincts and has experience selling complex life science technologies or research services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations.
This role reports directly to the executive leadership team and will play a key role in shaping the company's commercial strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Sales Leadership
Develop and execute the company's commercial sales strategy.
Build and manage a robust sales pipeline from prospecting through contract execution.
Meet and exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets.
Identify new customer opportunities within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CRO, diagnostics, and academic sectors.
Manage the complete sales cycle including prospecting, discovery, technical presentations, proposal development, pricing, negotiations, and contract execution.
Maintain accurate sales forecasts, CRM records, and pipeline reporting.
Business Development
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships that expand market reach and technology adoption.
Develop relationships with pharmaceutical R&D leaders, biotechnology executives, and key decision-makers.
Source opportunities for technology collaborations, co-development partnerships, and strategic alliances.
Represent the company at scientific conferences, industry meetings, and customer events.
Customer Success & Account Growth
Build trusted relationships with scientific and business stakeholders.
Identify opportunities for follow-on projects and long-term strategic engagements.
Collaborate with scientific and operations teams to ensure exceptional customer experience.
Gather customer feedback to inform future product and service offerings.
Commercial Strategy
Analyze market trends, competitive positioning, and customer needs.
Recommend pricing strategies, service offerings, and market expansion opportunities.
Collaborate with marketing on lead generation campaigns, messaging, and commercial collateral.
Contribute to annual commercial planning and revenue forecasting.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner closely with scientific, operations, and executive leadership teams to successfully deliver customer programs.
Assist in developing presentations, case studies, white papers, and sales collateral.
Contribute to broader corporate growth initiatives and strategic planning.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
8+ years of sales and business development experience within biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, CROs, diagnostics, life science tools, or scientific instrumentation.
Demonstrated success selling high-value technical solutions or scientific services.
Proven track record of consistently achieving or exceeding revenue targets.
Strong understanding of drug discovery, antibody therapeutics, biologics, protein sciences, or related research markets.
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Experience managing complex enterprise sales cycles involving multiple stakeholders.
Willingness to travel approximately 25–40%.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree (PhD , MS or MBA).
Existing network within pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D organizations.
Proven experience selling products or services to biopharmaceutical R&D organizations involved in antibody discovery, biologics development, and preclinical drug discovery.
Experience selling research services, contract research, laboratory technologies, AI-enabled scientific software, SaaS platforms, or scientific instrumentation.
Experience working within a startup or other high-growth environment.
Experience using Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar CRM platforms.
Success Metrics
Within the first 12 months, the Director of Sales & Business Development will be expected to:
Achieve or exceed annual revenue targets.
Build and maintain a healthy, qualified sales pipeline.
Expand the customer base through new strategic accounts.
Increase repeat business from existing customers.
Establish strategic commercial partnerships that accelerate company growth.
Improve forecast accuracy and overall sales process efficiency.
Desired Attributes
Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias toward action.
Scientific curiosity and the ability to quickly understand complex technologies.
Self-motivated and comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment.
Strong executive presence and relationship-building skills.
Data-driven decision maker with excellent business judgment.
Collaborative team player with high integrity and accountability.
Comfortable wearing multiple hats while helping scale a growing organization.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary
Performance-based commission plan
Equity/stock options
Annual performance bonus
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
401k plan with company match
Paid time off and company holidays
Professional development and career growth opportunities
Why Join Us?
Join a rapidly growing biotechnology company at the forefront of therapeutics development and AI-enabled drug design. We are developing next-generation experimental platforms that accelerate antibody discovery, biologics development, and preclinical research.
As Director of Sales & Business Development, you will partner with leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic organizations to bring innovative technologies to scientists tackling some of the world's most challenging diseases. You'll play a key role in expanding the commercial impact of cutting-edge solutions that integrate artificial intelligence, high-throughput experimentation, and real-time biological data to transform how new therapeutics are discovered and developed.
If you're passionate about scientific innovation, building strategic partnerships, and shaping the future of AI-driven drug discovery, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while helping scale a fast-growing company.
