Senior Business Development Manager

Magnitude Biosciences Ltd; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative contract research organization is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead their sales team and drive the company's sales strategy. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for identifying and securing new commercial opportunities while managing high-value client relationships. The position offers a dynamic environment where you can contribute to strategic planning and support the growth of a cutting-edge CRO. You will utilize your expertise in sales and business development to mentor junior team members and collaborate closely with senior stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

Benefits

Performance-based commission scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 3+ years in sales or business development in CRO or B2B STEM.
• Proven track record in strategic sales and lead generation.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new prospects to boost sales revenue.
• Manage full sales lifecycle from outreach to contract finalization.

Skills

Sales Strategy

Lead Generation

Client Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Mentoring

Business Development

Results-Driven Approach

Education

Degree in STEM field

Tools

HubSpot CRM

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead our sales team and drive the delivery of our company’s sales strategy. In this key role, you will take ownership of business development activities, contribute to strategic planning, and support the continued growth of our Contract Research Organisation.

About Magnitude Biosciences

Magnitude Biosciences is an innovative contract research organisation (CRO) that uses the C. elegans model organism to offer automated, high-throughput in vivo screening services for pharmaceutical, biotech, and nutraceutical companies. Our proprietary WormGazer platform delivers scalable, cost-effective, and real-time health data through fully automated assays, transforming the way early-stage drug discovery and development are conducted. By offering rapid, data-rich screening, we allow our clients to make faster, more informed decisions in drug development.

Magnitude Biosciences is situated at NETPark, a science park in Sedgefield, 10 miles from both Durham City and Darlington. This is a full-time position, with a minimum of 3 days per week required on-site at our Sedgefield location. There is some flexibility for hybrid working.

About the Role

The post holder will report to our Chief Commercial Officer (interim reporting Head of Marketing) and work closely with our CEO. This is a senior, client-facing role with direct responsibility for identifying and securing new commercial opportunities, managing high-value client relationships, and mentoring junior members of the commercial team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Proactively identify and pursue new prospects to increase sales revenue, using a results-driven approach aligned with company goals and the CRO landscape.
• Utilise multiple prospecting methods—including cold outreach, email and LinkedIn campaigns, sales databases, and networking—to generate qualified leads.
• Represent the company at national and international conferences and events to build relationships, generate leads, and stay informed on industry trends and opportunities.
• Identify and research new business opportunities and markets, analyse industry trends and competitor activity, and contribute to commercial strategy and innovation.
• Manage the full sales lifecycle—from initial outreach and lead generation through to pitching, writing quotes, presenting proposals, negotiating terms, and finalising contracts.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with new and existing clients, serving as a trusted advisor and ensuring high levels of satisfaction, retention, and repeat business.
• Collaborate with project delivery teams to ensure seamless project handovers that define scope and timelines, supporting on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of our products and services, effectively communicating value propositions tailored to the specific needs of each client.
• Utilise HubSpot CRM to manage prospects, track pipeline progress, analyse conversion rates, and support accurate forecasting and reporting for senior management and Company Board reports.
• Lead weekly sales meetings and pipeline reviews, producing regular reports on performance, pipeline health, and lead conversion.
• Support marketing activities where required, contributing insights and collaborating on campaigns that align with commercial goals.
• Line manage and mentor junior team members, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and high performance across the commercial function.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a sales or business development role within a CRO or other B2B STEM service provider environment, with a proven track record of delivering revenue growth.
• Demonstrable success in strategic sales prospecting, lead generation, and account-based selling within a STEM sector.
• Experience in managing the full sales cycle, from lead generation through to successful conversion in a STEM service providing sector.
• Proven ability to collaborate with scientific or technical teams to develop client proposals and bespoke scientific study designs.
• Skilled in using HubSpot (or similar software) as a CRM tool for managing sales, tracking performance metrics, and supporting forecasting.
• Commercially minded self-starter with excellent attention to detail and drive for continuous improvement.
• Strong collaborator and team player, with experience of mentoring or supporting junior staff in business development activities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Proactive, results-driven, and comfortable taking ownership of business development strategy and execution in a dynamic environment.
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to offer sponsorship at this time.

Desirable but not essential criteria:

• Degree in a STEM field.
• Proven success in sales in a start-up or similarly fast-paced business unit.
• Knowledge of CROs.
• Knowledge of assay development and validation.
• Knowledge of drug discovery, pharma, nutraceuticals.

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week over 5 days with a minimum of 3 days on site.

The salary will be appropriate for the skills and experience of the successful candidate.

Additional Benefits: A performance-based commission scheme is in place, offering the opportunity to earn additional income.

Deadline: 11th May 2025.

We carefully review all applications and will contact shortlisted candidates for the next stages of the recruitment process. If you have not heard from us by 31st May 2025, please kindly assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Applications should be sent to [e-mail] and include a CV and a cover letter.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Business Development and Sales