Project Director, EU

WuXi AppTec Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in drug discovery seeks a Business Development Manager to enhance client engagement and support technical initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a PhD and extensive experience in project management within the drug discovery field. Responsibilities include managing client projects, supporting business development activities, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to drive growth in discovery services across the EU.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of post-PhD experience or 10 years post-Master’s degree.
• Experience in project management for non-clinical drug discovery projects.
• Willingness to travel approximately 20%, domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Provide client project management and support business development activities.
• Assist in evaluating therapeutic areas and target opportunities.
• Support technical development initiatives for Wuxi Biology and Discovery Services.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Project Management

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Biology, or related fields

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The activities associated with this role fall into four categories:

1. Support Business Development (BD) and IDD by providing close management of clients, coordinating across Business Units (BUs), and promoting the integrated discovery services platform.
2. Carry out marketing and BD activities as required.
3. Support research into and assessment of technical development initiatives for Wuxi Biology and Drug Discovery.
4. Support the EU BD team as required.

Responsibilities

1. Provide client project management

Work with the BD teams to identify high-potential clients who would benefit from technical and project coordination support. Create an engagement plan and collaborate with the client, BU, and BD teams to implement and manage it.

2. Role in IDD team

Assist in evaluating therapeutic areas and target opportunities, positioning and differentiating new projects, and preparing client discussion materials. Maintain awareness of pharma market trends and provide background information on market size, distribution, and trends related to therapeutic areas, target classes, and modalities. Collaborate with technical teams in the EU, US, and China, as well as with clients and investors.

3. Carry out marketing (MKT) and BD activities

Attend conferences, engage with clients, promote technical capabilities, and enhance the visibility of WuXi AppTec (WXAT) platform in collaboration with the BD and MKT teams.

4. Support technical development initiatives for Wuxi Biology and Discovery Services

Identify and evaluate gaps in the WXAT platform, support strategy development to address these gaps, validate new technologies, and present new capabilities to clients.

5. Support EU business development

Provide research and technical support to EU BD teams, offer strategic support, and coordinate with commercial and marketing offices as needed.

6. KEY SUCCESS MEASURES:

• Growth of IDD business models
• Expansion of discovery services business in the EU
• Implementation of initiatives to extend business scope and broaden the client base
• Positive impact on discovery services strategy, practices, capabilities, and image
• Involvement in investment or acquisition projects

Qualifications

Experience / Education

• PhD (or equivalent) in chemistry, biology, or related fields in drug discovery
• At least 5 years of post-PhD experience or 10 years post-Master’s degree
• Experience in project management for non-clinical drug discovery projects, from hit identification to clinical candidate nomination, preferably in small molecule, oligonucleotide, or peptide modalities
• Ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams
• Experience working with or interacting with CRO / CRDMO organizations is a plus

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Willingness to travel approximately 20%, domestically and internationally, including overnight trips

Equal Opportunity Statement: WuXi AppTec is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

This job description is not exhaustive and may include other duties as assigned by management.