Senior Manager, Business Development

M42; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare services provider in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior Business Development Manager to enhance clinical trial opportunities in the EMENA region. This role involves developing partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and CROs, managing proposals and negotiations, and working with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of business development experience in clinical trials, a strong understanding of the drug development process, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of business development experience with CROs for clinical trials.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of the drug development process and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development strategy within the clinical trials space.
• Engage with pharmaceutical and therapeutic companies to build new clinical trials.
• Develop and submit competitive proposals and responses to RFPs.
• Negotiate new contracts to secure favorable business terms.
• Collaborate with internal teams for smooth transition from business development to execution.
• Assess market trends and competitor activity.
• Support vendor qualification for prospective clients.
• Contribute to financial targets by securing new business opportunities.

Skills

Business Development

Client Engagement

Proposal Development

Contract Negotiation

Market Intelligence

Communication

Negotiation

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree or MBA (optional)

Job description

Overview

M42 delivers comprehensive healthcare services across the full continuum of care; from primary care to advanced specialty treatments. Leveraging cutting‑edge health technologies and precision medicine, we ensure the highest standards of effectiveness, efficiency, and patient-centered outcomes. With a global presence spanning more than 480 facilities in 27 countries and a dedicated workforce of over 20,000 professionals, M42 is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of healthcare on a global scale.

Insights Research Organization & Solutions (IROS) is the UAE’s first homegrown Contract Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to advancing healthcare research. By delivering world‑class clinical trials, data‑driven solutions, and regulatory expertise, IROS empowers innovation, accelerates drug and therapy development, and strengthens the region’s role in shaping the future of global healthcare.

As the Senior Business Development Manager, you will be pivotal in driving new clinical trial opportunities for IROS in the EMENA region. Your primary responsibilities will include identifying and securing partnerships with pharmaceutical, drug, medical device, and healthcare companies, as well as global CROs, that require clinical trial services but do not yet have an established presence in the region.

Responsibilities

• Business Development Strategy: Strong expertise in business development within the clinical trials space. A history of successfully driving client acquisition and securing new business opportunities.
• Client Engagement: Cultivate and manage relationships with pharmaceutical, drug development, and therapeutic companies, as well as other CROs to build out new clinical trials.
• Proposal and RFP Development: Develop and submit competitive proposals and responses to RFPs, ensuring alignment with client expectations and IROS’s capabilities.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations for new contracts to secure favorable terms that align with company policies and business goals.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams (e.g., Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, QA) to ensure smooth transitions from business development to project execution.
• Market Intelligence: Continuously assess and report on market trends and competitor activity, providing valuable insights to senior management.
• Vendor Qualification: Support the qualification of IROS as a vendor with prospective clients, ensuring adherence to high-quality standards.
• Financial Targets: Contribute to the company’s financial targets by securing new business opportunities aligned with organizational goals.
• Travel: Willingness to travel across Europe and occasionally to other regions for client meetings and industry events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA is a plus).
• 5-10 years of business development experience with CROs for clinical trials.
• 8-10 years of business development experience with CROs for clinical trials.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Strong understanding of the drug development process and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross‑functional teams.
• Willingness to travel across Europe and occasionally to other regions for client meetings and industry events.