Business Development Director - Northern Europe
Job Title
Business Development Director - Northern Europe
(DACH, UK, Benelux, Scandinavia)
About the Role
An established European diagnostics and life sciences organisation is seeking a Business Development Director to lead strategic growth initiatives across Northern Europe. This is a senior commercial leadership role focused on developing high-value partnerships and securing new business opportunities within the IVD, diagnostics, biotechnology, and life sciences sectors.
The role is ideal for a commercially driven professional with strong industry knowledge and a proven track record in complex, consultative sales and partnership development.
Reporting Line
- Reports directly to the Chief Business Officer (CBO)
Location
- Preferably based in Germany, ideally near a major international airport (e.g. Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, or Berlin)
- Regular onsite presence required at the company's European headquarters in Southern France, particularly during the onboarding phase
Position Type
- Full-time, permanent position
- Senior role within the Business Development team
Main Mission
The Business Development Director will be responsible for identifying, developing, and securing strategic partnerships across Northern Europe. The role focuses on engaging with organisations seeking development, manufacturing, regulatory, and lifecycle support through a CDMO partnership model.
This position plays a key role in advancing the company's ambition to be a leading European CDMO partner for IVD development and manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development & Sales
- Identify and develop new business opportunities across DACH, UK, Benelux, and Scandinavia
- Target diagnostic companies, biotechnology firms, and life science innovators requiring CDMO support
- Manage the full business development cycle, including prospecting, qualification, proposal development, negotiation, and deal closure
- Build and maintain relationships with C-level executives, Vice Presidents, Heads of R&D, and senior decision-makers
- Position the organisation as a preferred CDMO partner for IVD development and manufacturing
Strategic Account Development
- Develop and nurture long-term relationships with key diagnostic and biotechnology companies
- Identify opportunities for broader collaboration, including development partnerships and manufacturing agreements
Market Intelligence
- Monitor trends within the diagnostics and life sciences markets
- Identify companies launching new diagnostic platforms or expanding assay portfolios
- Track funding activity and emerging companies with potential CDMO needs
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with scientific, regulatory, manufacturing, and operational teams at headquarters
- Coordinate internal resources to develop technical proposals and project evaluations
- Ensure strong alignment between commercial and technical teams
Industry Representation
- Represent the organisation at international conferences, partnering meetings, and industry events
- Participate in targeted networking activities to generate new partnership opportunities
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree (minimum) in one of the following areas
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Immunoassays
- Life Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
Professional Experience
- Minimum 5+ years' experience in business development, sales, or strategic partnerships
- Background in diagnostics, biotechnology, or life sciences
- Experience working with IVD companies or diagnostic technologies is strongly preferred
- Demonstrated success in generating and closing new business
Technical Knowledge
- Solid understanding of diagnostic technologies, including:
- Molecular diagnostics (PCR, NGS, digital PCR)
- Immunoassays
- Diagnostic platforms
- IVD product development lifecycle
- Strong scientific understanding of regulated laboratory environments (GLP/GCP)
Languages
- Fluent English (mandatory)
- German (strongly preferred)
Skills & Competencies
- Strong business development and negotiation capabilities
- Confidence engaging with senior executives and key decision-makers
- Entrepreneurial and results-oriented mindset
- Dynamic, agile, and self-motivated
- Excellent communication and networking skills
- Strong collaborator with cross-functional teams
- High level of autonomy, initiative, and accountability
- Strategic thinker with strong execution capability
- Comfortable reporting to a manager based in another country
Travel Requirements
- Approximately 25% travel across Europe
- Frequent visits to the company's headquarters, particularly during the early stages of the role
- Attendance at international industry conferences and events
FAQs
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