Director, Business Development – CDMO

Accountabilities: As Director of Business Development, you will own the commercial strategy for the Greater Boston territory, generate new business opportunities, and manage customer relationships throughout the sales cycle. Your responsibilities will include: Develop and execute the Greater Boston territory strategy, including market mapping, target-account identification, account prioritization, relationship development, and opportunity generation. Build and maintain a territory plan identifying priority pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, key decision-makers, relevant development programs, and potential CDMO demand. Establish a strong presence across the Greater Boston life sciences ecosystem through direct customer engagement, referrals, networking, industry relationships, and regional events. Develop relationships with stakeholders across CMC, pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and executive leadership. Monitor market developments, including company formation, financing activities, clinical progress, outsourcing requirements, and manufacturing strategies, to identify new commercial opportunities. Personally originate new CDMO business through proactive prospecting, industry connections, referrals, conferences, and market intelligence. Identify and engage pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies where no established commercial relationship currently exists. Clearly communicate small-molecule API development and manufacturing capabilities, demonstrating their value to prospective customers. Maintain sufficient prospecting activity and a qualified sales pipeline to achieve agreed bookings and revenue targets. Manage qualified opportunities throughout the entire commercial lifecycle, from initial engagement and CDA execution to RFI, RFP/RFQ, proposal development, negotiation, and contract signing. Maintain sales momentum by defining next steps, addressing potential obstacles, and managing customer decision-making milestones. Lead customer-facing business development activities while collaborating with technical and operational teams during proposal preparation. Develop competitive commercial proposals and pricing in partnership with Finance and relevant internal stakeholders. Prioritize profitable, commercially attractive, and operationally executable business opportunities. Maintain accurate CRM records, pipeline reporting, and revenue forecasts. Regularly evaluate territory performance, pipeline coverage, conversion rates, stalled opportunities, and emerging gaps against business objectives. Build trusted relationships with scientific, technical, CMC, procurement, operational, and executive stakeholders. Understand prospective customers' development and manufacturing requirements and align solutions with their business needs. Serve as the primary commercial contact throughout business development and maintain engagement during extended customer decision cycles. Coordinate with internal subject matter experts to support opportunity development and ensure a smooth transition following contract execution. Requirements The ideal candidate is an experienced business development professional with a strong track record in pharmaceutical outsourcing, early-phase small-molecule API services, and new customer acquisition. The following qualifications and competencies are expected: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Business, or a related discipline. At least 7 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CDMO/CRO, or broader life sciences industry. Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated success selling early-phase small-molecule API development and manufacturing services within a CDMO environment. Strong knowledge of the Greater Boston pharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem. Proven track record of personally originating, developing, and closing new business opportunities. Established relationships and a strong professional network within the regional pharmaceutical and biotechnology community. Strong understanding of CDMO services, small-molecule API development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements. Excellent commercial judgment and the ability to identify profitable and strategically valuable opportunities. Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills. Demonstrated ability to manage complex, extended sales cycles and engage stakeholders at different organizational levels. Proven prospecting capabilities and a proactive, hunter-oriented approach to business development. Strong CRM management, pipeline reporting, and revenue forecasting discipline. Ability to collaborate effectively with scientific, technical, operational, and financial teams. Willingness to travel outside Greater Boston for customer meetings, company site visits, conferences, and internal business activities. Must be based within the Greater Boston area and maintain an active face-to-face presence across the regional life sciences ecosystem. Ability to work primarily in an office environment, including extended periods of computer use, sitting, and regular verbal communication or presentations. Ability to occasionally stand, walk, and lift or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Benefits Base salary: $160,000–$220,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, skills, and education. Enrollment in a sales compensation plan, providing additional earning potential. Eligibility to participate in a stock option program. Comprehensive medical insurance. Life insurance. Short-term and long-term disability insurance. Retirement savings plans. Paid time off and company holidays. Education-related benefits supporting continuous learning and professional development. Several benefits fully funded or significantly subsidized by the organization. Opportunity to contribute to commercial growth within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Collaborative environment supporting professional development and employee well-being.