Strategic CRO Partnerships & Growth Director

Certara; Paris; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Certara accelerates the potential of bringing medicines to market using biosimulation software, technology, and services. The Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth will lead partnerships with CROs and related drug development partners to create scalable growth and new-logo opportunities across Certara’s services and software.

The role requires 15+ years in life sciences commercial roles, a strong CRO network, and an entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to travel within the region.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive commercial, business development, strategic partnerships, or related experience within life sciences, biopharma, consulting, technology, or professional services.
• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, business, economics, finance, or related field; or equivalent professional experience
• Strong understanding of the biopharmaceutical development ecosystem, CRO market, and sponsor needs.
• Demonstrated experience developing senior relationships with CROs, biopharma sponsors, and related drug development organizations.
• Proven track record of translating strategic relationships into measurable commercial growth.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence and orchestrate across a complex, matrixed organization.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build a CRO-focused commercial channel and create scalable growth.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned region.

Responsibilities

• Build strategic partnerships: Identify, prioritize, and develop executive relationships with high-value CROs and related drug development partners.
• Create commercial opportunities: Develop systematic pathways from CRO relationships to engagement with biopharma sponsors and new commercial opportunities.
• Drive growth: Generate qualified pipeline and new business across Certara's services and software portfolio, including new-logo acquisition, cross-sell, and expansion opportunities.
• Orchestrate Certara: Partner across regional Account teams and global Portfolio teams to develop and execute opportunities, bringing together the right capabilities and expertise.
• Develop the channel: Create repeatable CRO partnership strategies, engagement models, and playbooks that can scale across the region.
• Provide market intelligence: Bring insight into CRO market trends, sponsor needs, therapeutic areas, and development priorities to inform Certara's commercial strategy.
• Build Certara's market position: Establish Certara as a trusted strategic development partner across the CRO and biopharma ecosystem.

Skills

Executive presence

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field

Job description

Certara accelerates the potential of bringing medicines to market using biosimulation software, technology, and services. The Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships & Growth will lead partnerships with CROs and related drug development partners to create scalable growth and new-logo opportunities across Certara’s services and software.

The role requires 15+ years in life sciences commercial roles, a strong CRO network, and an entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to travel within the region.