Business Development Executive, Discovery and Safety Assessment

Charles River Labs; Saffron Walden; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contract research organization is seeking a Business Development Executive to join their Discovery and Safety Assessment unit. This is a fully remote role with expected travel of 25%–50%. The position requires a strong background in life sciences and proven sales experience, emphasizing building client relationships and achieving sales targets. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package to support your career growth and well-being.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible and hybrid working

Comprehensive commission plan

Qualifications

• Substantial hands-on experience in a commercial role within the life science industry.
• Proven track record of generating and securing new sales bookings.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop opportunities primarily for new business.
• Focus on share gain within the existing client base.
• Rapidly establish new customer contacts.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Proficient in office applications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related discipline

Job description

Overview

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Summary

Business Development Executive role on a full-time, permanent basis to join our Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) business unit. This is a fully remote role, with expectation for 25%–50% travel to client sites or external conferences to represent Charles River.

The Business Development Executive will primarily focus on securing new business for Discovery and Safety Assessment, aiming to achieve quarterly and annual sales booking targets while maintaining an existing client base. You’ll be an expert at building and fostering strong working relationships, able to apply scientific know-how in securing client trust and generating new business leads.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop opportunities primarily for new business within a given territory to Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), followed by rapidly progressing them to close awards for earliest possible revenue impacts.
• Focus on share gain within the existing client base in the assigned territory by effectively communicating the differentiated value of the DSA portfolio.
• Rapidly establish new customer contacts and influence them for share gain potential.
• Collaborate with Client Services & Managers for rapid turnaround times on proposals/agreements, participate in the negotiation process as appropriate and follow through on sales execution.
• Manage all initial inquiries and qualify prospective opportunities.
• Effectively utilize CRM (SFDC) to capture customer information including accurate pipelines and effective opportunity management and activity documentation.
• Work closely with the relevant subject-matter-expert to ensure the customer has a cohesive and responsive experience throughout the buying journey.
• Demonstrate knowledge of competitor profiles and develop positioning to influence potential new customers.
• Take a lead Business Development role at relevant conference events and trade shows.
• Communicate customer challenges/concerns with all appropriate departments for quality resolution.
• Prepare and implement a comprehensive territory management plan identifying target opportunities, potential new accounts, expansion of existing accounts and an analysis of competitor share within existing accounts.
• Complete all sales, commercial and portfolio trainings to be fluent in the DSA portfolio and ready to present to a range of customer personas.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Skills and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. / B.S.) or equivalent in life sciences, sales or related discipline.
• Substantial hands-on experience within a similar role, preferably in a commercial role within the life science industry; experience with a CRO or Biotech is advantageous.
• Proven track record of generating and securing new sales bookings and the ability to develop and maintain a sales territory within Life Sciences.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a substitute for the listed education and experience.
• Certification/Licensure: Valid driver’s license required.
• Other: Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills. Proficient in standard office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, e-mail).

What We Offer You

• A comprehensive benefits package from day one, including a large pension contribution, private medical for you (and can add family members), private dental care, critical illness cover, bonus and more.
• Global opportunities and strong career progression.
• Comprehensive commission plan.
• The chance to work on several varied projects and liaise globally and nationally with other business areas.
• The opportunity to make a difference to health and wellbeing of people.
• Opportunities for career growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Parental leave.
• Group Life Assurance and Group Income Protection.
• Remote GP access 24/7.
• Well-being support and initiatives.

About Discovery

Discovery from Charles River is industry-proven in the successful development of novel therapies, with over 350 patents and 80 preclinical drug candidates delivered to our sponsors in the past 17 years. Backed by more than 650 scientists, our portfolio employs the latest technology and platforms to provide chemistry, biology, and pharmacology services that support clients from the earliest stages of hit identification through IND. Our client-focused, collaborative approach creates true partnerships that anticipate challenges and move us forward together on the journey of getting new drugs to market.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, GLP and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. This broad portfolio enables a flexible drug development model that reduces costs and increases speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees in 110 facilities across 20 countries, we coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives to resolve our clients’ challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals and academic institutions.

At Charles River, we are passionate about improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, excellent science, and strong sense of purpose guide us in all we do, and we approach each day knowing our work helps improve health and well-being globally. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to diversity and inclusion and work daily toward this direction.