Business Development Lead

DLRC; Letchworth; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

DLRC Group in the UK is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive commercial growth across the region by identifying new business opportunities, expanding strategic client relationships, and shaping the group’s commercial strategy within life sciences consulting.

You will manage key accounts, work with regulatory and scientific teams to deliver tailored solutions across clinical development and commercialisation, and lead proposals, bids, and client presentations while travelling as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in business development within life sciences, ideally regulatory affairs, clinical development, pharmacovigilance, quality, or related consultancy services.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities, build client relationships, and drive commercial growth.
• Strong understanding of the European life sciences market.
• Ability to develop strategic account plans and execute growth initiatives.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence decision-makers and build trusted relationships.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness to travel internationally and represent DLRC at events.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and execution of business development strategy aligned with global commercial objectives.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities, including new service areas and target clients.
• Build relationships with prospective clients, understand their needs, and develop proposals.
• Lead the conversion of qualified leads into commercial opportunities and contracted business.
• Manage and develop existing client relationships to support account growth and retention.
• Collaborate with regulatory subject matter experts to develop proposals and client solutions.
• Define win strategies and lead preparations for client presentations and calls.
• Monitor revenue, client retention, profitability, and other commercial metrics.
• Represent DLRC at industry conferences and networking events.
• Build relationships with industry partners and monitor market developments.
• Provide leadership and coaching to direct reports where applicable.

Skills

Life sciences

Regulatory affairs

Clinical development

Pharmacovigilance

Quality

Consultancy

CRM

Travel

English fluency

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

Established in 2005, the DLRC Group has developed a deserved reputation for being a leading consultancy, with a wealth of regulatory and scientific knowledge and considerable experience in both leadership and management. The company has recently expanded to include affiliates based in Germany and the US.

Our growing team comprises over 90 qualified professionals with a pharmaceutical and/or regulatory background, as well as over 30 dedicated supporting staff in areas of Business Development, Finance, Business Services and People Practices. We provide services to over 130 organisations, enabling them to achieve their strategic and operational development objectives.

DLRC’s expertise and flexible working approach ensures the provision of a highly motivated team who interact effectively with clients and regulators globally, to support both single issues and long-term commitment to projects.

Business Development Lead

UK | Hybrid Based.

We are seeking a Business Development Lead to drive commercial growth across the region by identifying new business opportunities, expanding strategic client relationships, and contributing to the overall commercial strategy of the DLRC Group.

The opportunity

This is a client-facing role responsible for developing new business opportunities, managing key client accounts, and working closely with regulatory and scientific teams to deliver tailored solutions to life sciences organisations across the clinical development and commercialisation pathway.

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and execution of business development strategy, aligned with global commercial objectives
• Identify and develop new business opportunities, including new service areas and target clients
• Build relationships with prospective clients, understand their needs, and develop proposals that support their regulatory and development objectives
• Lead the conversion of qualified leads into commercial opportunities and contracted business
• Manage and develop existing client relationships to support account growth and retention
• Work collaboratively with regulatory subject matter experts to develop high-quality proposals and client solutions
• Define win strategies and lead preparations for client presentations, bid defence meetings, scoping calls, and introductory discussions
• Monitor regional revenue performance, client retention, profitability, and other commercial metrics
• Represent DLRC at industry conferences, networking events, and business development activities
• Build strong relationships with industry partners and maintain awareness of market developments and emerging opportunities
• Provide leadership, coaching, and support to direct reports where applicable.

About you:

• Proven business development experience within the life sciences sector, ideally within regulatory affairs, clinical development, pharmacovigilance, quality, or related consultancy services
• Demonstrated success in identifying opportunities, building client relationships, and delivering commercial growth
• Strong understanding of the European life sciences market
• Commercially astute with the ability to develop strategic account plans and execute growth initiatives
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence decision-makers and build trusted relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, client-focused environment
• Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness to travel internationally and represent DLRC at external events and conferences
• Full UK driving licence
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Eligible to work in the UK.

What You'll Bring:

• Strategic and innovative thinking with a consultancy mindset
• A proactive approach to business development and market engagement
• The ability to analyse commercial data and translate insights into actionable strategies
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with scientific, regulatory, and commercial teams
• A results-driven approach combined with exceptional relationship-building capabilities.

We are a consultancy defined by integrity, respect, and accountability. Our people are trusted to lead, encouraged to think boldly, and supported to deliver exceptional outcomes.

We combine energy and ambition with a collaborative mindset, turning complex challenges into sustainable, transformative solutions. Through flexible working, unrivalled professional development, and strong internal and external partnerships, we create an environment where senior professionals can grow, influence, and make a lasting impact.