Business Development Manager (C-Further)

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Career development opportunities

High-quality tools

Job summary

Cancer Research UK in Stratford is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead the CYP cancer therapeutics commercialisation strategy within the C-Further consortium. You will steer licensing, collaborations, and partnerships with industry and academia to translate discoveries into patient-impacting outcomes.

Reporting to the Senior Business Development Executive, you will collaborate across CRH and LifeArc, travel as needed, and help drive strategic initiatives with a strong emphasis on

Qualifications

• BSc (or equivalent) in Life Science, oncology or tech-related field.
• Experience in life science business development and commercialisation.
• Track record in developing and commercialising life science technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead/licence negotiations and manage collaborations and technology transfer agreements.
• Evaluate therapeutic opportunities through market analysis and competition.
• Lead commercialisation activities including marketing and partnering strategies.
• Promote C-Further and its technologies to external parties via outreach, events and meetings.
• Stay informed on industry trends to support strategic decisions and team development.
• Contribute to the wider partnering strategy and governance within C-Further.
• Collaborate with BD, Commercial Partnerships, CRUK and LifeArc to deliver goals.

Skills

Life science degree

Business development

Commercialisation

Contract negotiation

Drug discovery knowledge

Patent databases

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Influencing and conflict resolution

Technical analysis and strategy

Education

BSc Life Science or equivalent

Job description

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we will beat cancer.

Business Development Manager (Children and Young People’s Cancer/ C-Further)

Salary range: £50,000-£59,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Senior Business Development Executive (Therapeutics)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office). There will also be occasional travel both within the UK and internationally in this role (circa 2-3 times per year).

Closing date: Sunday 25th October 2026

Interview process: Screening call followed by competency-based interview with task/presentation.

Interview dates: Approximately w/c 2nd November 2026

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Business Development Manager (BDM) to join C-Further as part of Cancer Research Horizon’s Therapeutics BD team, which supports C-Further in its business strategy execution with industry, academia and partners. You’ll be expected to carry out critical business development activities relevant to C-Further’s broad commercialisation objectives, as it relates to all therapeutic technologies coming out of our network.

A primary focus of this role is to lead the development and implementation of the BD and commercialisation strategy for the Children’s and Young People’s (CYP) cancers within the C-Further children’s cancer therapeutics consortium.

You will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, building relationships with industry and the academic community to develop opportunities and executing research agreements for collaboration in the therapeutic discovery space. A desire to thrive in complex, multi-party time-sensitive contracting and negotiations whilst maintaining relationships is key.

In addition, you will make considered contributions to the development of C-Further’s wider partnering strategy and critical new partnerships (e.g. with new consortium delivery partners and funders in the CYP ecosystem) and play an active role in the governance of the C-Further through participation in its joint management team.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to help drive C-Further's partnering strategy, and to make a major impact on the translation and commercialisation of exciting new technologies, for the benefit of cancer patients across the world. It also provides deep and broad exposure to technology transfer, intellectual property management, and business development and transactions, in a highly collaborative and high-profile initiative at the cutting edge of innovation.

What will you be doing?

• Directly and/or by leading deal teams, including legal and CRH colleagues, negotiate and manage licences, collaborations, options and other commercialisation, collaborative, and related technology transfer agreements to completion.
• Support the evaluation of C-Further therapeutic opportunities through analysis of technology application areas, market size, competition, and market need.
• Lead, advise and support C-Further therapeutic commercialisation activities, including marketing and partnering, as appropriate for the technology portfolio.
• Take a leadership role in promoting Cancer Research Horizons, C-Further and its therapeutic technologies, to external parties through a variety of channels including outreach initiatives, direct engagement, presentations, marketing events and participation at meetings and conferences.
• Keep appraised of industry and institutional trends and developments in the therapeutics space, to aid business judgement and support the development of the wider team.
• Make considered contributions to C-Further's commercialisation and development strategy and overall operations through participation in its joint management team.
• Work in collaboration with BD, Commercial Partnerships, and CRUK and collaborators at LifeArc to support and implement key strategic initiatives and operational goals as required.
• May have lead responsibility for a focused specialist area/activity.
• Provide expert specialist knowledge and advice to colleagues.
• Contribute to the wider objectives of the BD Therapeutics team as needed

What are we looking for?

• BSc (or equivalent work & industry experience) in a Life Science discipline, ideally oncology or technology-related.
• Business development and commercialisation experience drawn from working in relevant industry, academic or non-profit roles.
• Demonstrable track record of success in the development and commercialisation of life science technology preferable.
• Experience in and the ability to negotiate and structure commercial contracts, with technology transaction experience.
• Broad knowledge and awareness of drug discovery and development (ideally within the oncology sector) preferable.
• Familiarity with patent and commercial databases.
• Proven scientific judgement and project management skills combined with operational delivery.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate without authority with senior personnel.
• Ability to influence and resolve conflict and construct innovative solutions to overcome challenges.
• Ability to grasp and report varied technical concepts quickly, and design, develop and critique sound business strategies based on scientific, commercial and financial analysis.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work.

We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.