Commercial Lead

Hirehoot; London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology startup in London is seeking an experienced Commercial Director. The role focuses on business development and market strategy, requiring over 7 years of experience in the biopharma sector. Ideal candidates should have a strong understanding of the drug development lifecycle and exceptional skills in stakeholder communication. This position offers a hybrid work model, competitive compensation, equity options, and growth potential due to recent funding.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Equity options

Potential for growth due to funding

Qualifications

• 7–15+ years of experience in business development or strategic sales.
• Proven track record of closing deals in biopharma or biotech.
• Ability to engage with heads of CMC and analytical development.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Translate technical capabilities into customer-centric narratives.
• Build and deepen relationships with decision-makers.

Skills

Business development

Strategic sales

Stakeholder Management

Market Strategy

Customer Success

Technical communication

Education

Degree in life sciences or engineering

Job description

CRM, Salesforce, Communications strategy, Business development, Analytics & reporting, Stakeholder Management, Marketing strategy, Customer Experience

Employment Type: Full Time

Locations to Work: Hybrid | London, UK

Position Roles: Commercial Director, Head of Commercial

Who you are

Portal BioTech is a startup focused on conducting thorough analysis using proteins and single-molecule sensors with ongoing research.

What the job involves

• Market Development: Identify, qualify, and pursue new business opportunities across pharma, biotech, CDMOs, CROs, and academia.
• Value Proposition & Storytelling: Translate complex technical capabilities (e.g., high-resolution PTM profiling, accelerated release testing) into compelling, customer-centric narratives.
• Strategic Account Management: Build and deepen relationships with decision-makers in analytical development, quality, regulatory, and CMC leadership roles.
• Market Strategy: Refine customer segmentation, pricing, sales models (e.g., services vs. instruments), and commercial launch plans in partnership with Product and Marketing.
• Customer Success & Retention: Ensure customer onboarding and technical success, drive renewal and expansion, and coordinate with internal teams to maintain scientific and regulatory excellence.
• Partnerships & Licensing: Lead partnership development with CDMOs, reagent providers, and service labs to expand reach and commercial leverage.
• Internal Leadership: Shape commercial hiring, sales operations, and BD tooling as the team grows.

Additional Description

Ideal candidates will have 7–15+ years of experience in business development, strategic sales, or alliances within biopharma, CDMOs, biotech, or life sciences tools, with a proven track record of closing deals.

Deep understanding of the drug development lifecycle—from discovery through CMC—and fluency in technical and commercial stakeholder communication is essential.

Knowledge of CMC regulations (ICH Q6B, Q5E, Q8), analytical workflows (e.g., SEC, CE-SDS, LC-MS), and biologics release testing pain points is required.

Ability to engage with Heads of CMC, Analytical Development, and Quality on scientific topics such as PTM profiling, DAR, glycan analysis, or comparability studies is important.

Understanding of FDA/EMA expectations for CMC filings, comparability protocols, and cGMP analytical validation is necessary.

Familiarity with emerging biologic modalities, including bispecifics, fusion proteins, and nanoparticle therapeutics, is preferred.

Strong skills in crafting tailored pitches, pricing, and ROI narratives for technical buyers and procurement are essential.

Exceptional communication, storytelling, and executive presence are required, with comfort presenting to C-suite, engaging lab scientists, or negotiating with procurement.

Comfort in a startup environment—resourceful, self-directed, and eager to build systems—is vital.

A degree in life sciences or engineering is required; advanced degrees or MBAs are a plus.

Benefits include hybrid work, competitive compensation, equity options, and potential for growth due to recent funding.