Senior Director, Business Development

TREIZE-QUARANTE (1340); London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Senior Director of Business Development to lead the expansion of its FSP services. This role requires a dynamic individual with extensive experience in FSP sales and a solid background in clinical trial services. You will be instrumental in developing strategic sales plans, managing client relationships, and driving growth across diverse pharmaceutical and biotech organizations. With a commitment to employee success, this innovative firm offers a comprehensive reward package and a supportive work environment designed to foster professional development and personal well-being.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry focused on clinical trial services.
• Proven track record in FSP sales and managing end-to-end sales cycles.

Responsibilities

• Drive FSP business development and close deals within targeted accounts.
• Create strategic sales plans and collaborate with internal teams.

Skills

FSP sales

clinical trial services

strategic planning

communication skills

collaboration skills

account management

Education

University degree

Advanced degrees

Job description

Beyond FSP: Analytics on Demand

Cytel supports our clients with innovative solutions beyond traditional functional service provider (FSP) models. Our analytics on demand service provides flexible and comprehensive support throughout the drug development life cycle tailored to each client's unique project needs.

We are seeking a Senior Director, Business Development with extensive experience in Functional Service Provider (FSP) sales to drive Cytel’s expansion of the FSP business outside of the company’s core strategic accounts.

You will bring a proven track record in initiating, growing and managing FSP relationships, with the strategic insight and tactical know-how to deploy sales and account plans across pharmaceutical and biotech organizations globally. Through the creation and delivery of compelling sales enablement tools, impactful client meetings, and high-quality, client-focused proposals, you will play a leadership role in advancing Cytel’s FSP business.

Position Overview:

You will be responsible for ensuring Cytel’s FSP vision and unique value proposition are consistently presented through meaningful engagements with prospective customers and tailored client-facing materials — ultimately driving the expansion of the organization’s client base. Partnering with existing account teams and operational subject matter experts, you will drive the FSP sales strategy across a diverse range of companies globally, identifying high-potential clients both large and small.

How you will contribute:

• Proactively prospect, develop, and close FSP business within targeted client accounts.
• Create and execute strategic FSP sales plans, setting clear goals and growth strategies for named accounts.
• Support the development of FSP sales strategies for regional business development teams outside of core strategic accounts.
• Collaborate with commercial team members to prepare and implement account plans and pursue FSP opportunities.
• Identify customer needs, align Cytel’s capabilities with those needs, and position Cytel as the preferred partner over both full-service CROs and niche specialty providers.
• Lead the development of RFP/RFI responses, capabilities presentations, bid defenses, work order preparations, and amendments — working closely with Project Management, Business Operations, and Business Unit Heads.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal Cytel teams.
• Engage with client stakeholders at all levels — from clinical project managers to executive leadership — staying current on industry trends and Cytel’s offerings.
• Ensure the accuracy of the FSP business NBA forecast, collaborating with VPs of Business Development and FSP Business Leaders.
• Represent Cytel at relevant industry conferences and events.

Here at Cytel we want our employees to succeed and we enable this success through consistent training, development and support. To be successful in this position you will have:

• University degree required; advanced degrees preferred.
• Demonstrated success in FSP sales, with a strong background in selling clinical trial services, particularly biometrics, within the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry.
• A history of achieving and surpassing sales quotas, specifically within the FSP model, by securing net new business and maintaining a robust sales pipeline.
• Expertise in managing the end-to-end sales cycle — from lead generation through to deal closure — collaborating with stakeholders at all levels, including C-suite executives.
• 10+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on selling clinical trial delivery services to biopharmaceutical clients.
• Strategic planning and execution experience within complex, global organizations.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams, including commercial, operational, and leadership groups.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of influencing both internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in account management is a plus.

Why Cytel?

Cytel is a Global CRO providing ground-breaking biostatistical software and services to large pharma and emerging Biotech clients globally. With our patients at the centre of all that we do, we help to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life.

At Cytel, our focus is to provide you with a comprehensive and competitive total reward package. In addition, our world class employee benefits, supportive policies and wellbeing initiatives are tailored to support you and your family at all stages of your career - both now, and into the future.

Cytel Inc. is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by law.