Job Introduction
Business Development Manager (Discovery, Preclinical and CMC)
Remote role | France or United Kingdom based | Regular travel across France and the Benelux region
Pharmaron is a global CRO helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 29,000 employees worldwide across 28 sites across the UK, US and China, and we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated, high-quality services.
We’re proud of the impact we make—just last year, we supported over 887 discovery projects, 1,000+ CMC programmes, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules to gene therapies, and we work with more than 3,300 global customers.
About the role:
We are seeking a commercially minded Business Development Manager (Discovery, Preclinical and CMC) to support the continued growth of Pharmaron’s Discovery, Preclinical and CMC services across France and the Benelux region.
This is an excellent opportunity for a scientific professional who has already gained some business development, alliance management, technology transfer, outsourcing or client-facing commercial experience and is looking to further develop their career within a leading global CRO.
Working closely with the Regional Business Development Director, you will help drive growth across an established territory, develop strategic client relationships and represent Pharmaron within the French and Benelux biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem.
We are particularly interested in individuals with strong scientific credibility, excellent networking skills and a genuine interest in building long-term partnerships with innovative biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
This is a remote role with regular travel across France and the Benelux region for client meetings, conferences and networking events.
Key roles and responsibilities:
- Support the development and execution of regional business development strategies across France and Benelux.
- Identify and develop new business opportunities across Pharmaron's integrated Discovery, Preclinical and CMC service portfolio.
- Build and maintain strong relationships within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and research institute communities.
- Generate new client leads through networking, industry events, scientific conferences and targeted business development activities.
- Manage and grow existing client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand services and partnerships.
- Collaborate closely with scientific, operational and proposal teams to deliver technically strong and commercially competitive client solutions.
- Support the preparation of proposals, budgets, confidentiality agreements and commercial documentation.
- Represent Pharmaron at scientific and industry events, strengthening brand awareness and market presence.
- Maintain accurate opportunity tracking, forecasting and CRM records.
- Monitor market activity, industry trends and regional developments to help shape commercial strategy.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across Europe, the US and China to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
Candidate Profile:
- Fluent French and English language skills are essential. Candidates should have an established understanding of, and preferably a network within, the French and/or Benelux biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem.
- MSc, PhD or equivalent qualification in Life Sciences, Drug Discovery, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology or a related scientific discipline.
- Previous experience in Business Development, Scientific Consulting, Alliance Management, Technology Transfer, Outsourcing Management or another client-facing commercial role within life sciences.
- Experience gained within a CRO, biotechnology company, pharmaceutical organisation, research institute, technology transfer office (TTO), scientific partnership function or innovation ecosystem would be highly valuable.
- Good understanding of the drug discovery and development process.
- Knowledge of CRO services and the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
- Well-connected within the French/Benelux life sciences ecosystem, with an understanding of key biotech, pharmaceutical, research institute or innovation networks.
- Strong relationship-building, networking and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercially aware with the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly across France and the Benelux region.
- Previous CRO experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
Why Pharmaron?
Collaborative Culture
Join a highly collaborative and supportive commercial and scientific team where partnership, transparency and shared success are fundamental to how we work. Our values of Employees Number One, Clients Centered guide everything we do.
Career Growth
Play a key role in expanding Pharmaron's toxicology presence across Europe while working alongside industry-leading scientific experts and global business development teams.
Scientific Impact
Support innovative biotech and pharmaceutical companies as they advance new therapies through critical stages of drug development.
Competitive Rewards
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with experience, expertise and business impact.