Vice President - Industrial, Chemicals & Energy

Sagentia; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in innovation is seeking a Vice President for Industrial, Chemicals & Energy in Cambridge. This role involves spearheading business development and managing key client relationships within the R&D sector. The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in a similar senior role and a strong background in engineering or science. This position offers a permanent full-time contract with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career development and training

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in industrial R&D and innovation.
• Experience in a senior role within blue-chip corporates or startups.
• Proven track record in business development and client engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and client relationship management activities.
• Collaborate with managers to identify and grow sales opportunities.
• Oversee project delivery ensuring it meets client requirements.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Sales leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Education

Degree qualifications to Masters/PhD level

MBA

Job description

Position

Vice President - Industrial, Chemicals & Energy

Department: Sector

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Cambridge

Description

The opportunity describes a senior commercial role with significant experience of R&D or Innovation in an industrial market. The role is based in Sagentia Innovation's Harston or Epsom offices, reports to the Managing Partner, Industrial, Chemicals & Energy, and focuses on cross-cutting campaigns such as fluid handling, specialty chemicals and sustainable innovation. The successful candidate will lead business development and client relationship management activities, contribute to strategy, and be responsible for profitable sales and successful project delivery within nominated accounts and sub-sector campaigns. Travel to visit and work with clients is expected, approximately 25% of time (US, Europe and Asia).

Who we are

Sagentia Innovation provides leading-edge product development and independent advisory services to a broad range of companies—from multinationals to startups—operating projects from GBP 10k to GBP 10m across medical, industrial, chemicals and energy, food and beverage, and consumer industries. We are part of Science Group (AIM:SAG), with more than ten offices globally, two UK-based R&D innovation centers and more than 650 employees. Our R&D consultancy projects are delivered from our UK offices.

Responsibilities

Business Development within target industries:

• Collaborate with Business Development Managers within the Group; source new sales leads through proactive sales & marketing activities.
• Visit prospects to identify potential client needs and sell the value proposition of Sagentia Innovation.
• Own and coordinate the writing and delivery of compelling sales & marketing material (e.g. discussion documents, proposals, case studies, capability decks).
• Take direct ownership of the sales process, including identification, qualification and closing of sales opportunities contributing to the growth of the sector sales pipeline.
• Responsible for reviewing proposals and project deliverables prior to client release.

Account management, within nominated key accounts:

• Act as main point of contact between Sagentia Innovation and client account.
• Network widely to maximize exposure within the client's organization.
• Seek opportunities within target accounts to grow additional revenue streams for Sagentia Innovation.
• Maintain sales and revenue forecast.
• Responsible for client communication on commercial matters; ensure issues are addressed that are raised by the client or by Sagentia Innovation.

Technical/Clinical Domain Leadership within sub-sectors:

• Establish areas of opportunity within specific market sub-sectors, working with our marketing team.
• Take lead on messaging and speak at events on key thought leadership topics.
• Feedback market information to the technical & marketing teams to support product and service development.

Contract management

• Responsible for negotiating contracts; work with the Managing Partner and the Group's executive team as appropriate.
• Demonstrate commercial and business awareness and manage situations effectively that will enhance the brand and perception of Sagentia Innovation.

Oversee project delivery

• Oversee and, where necessary, provide high level contribution to project delivery ensuring it meets client requirements.
• Link client stakeholder needs with technical delivery of project and translate technical delivery into client language where appropriate.
• Where appropriate lead delivery meetings/facilitate workshops, etc.

Qualifications

• Degree qualifications to Masters/PhD level from an Engineering or Science background preferred; MBA would be beneficial.
• Experience of industrial R&D and Innovation.
• Experience in a similar role in another fee-for-service business in either a commercial or client-facing Programme Management role.
• Approximately 10+ years post-education work experience.
• Experience at a senior level (CXO, VP or R&D Director) within large blue-chip corporates and startups.
• Experience delivering against defined sales and business development targets.
• Evidence of success in building rapport and trust in B2B relationships.
• Experience of new product/device introduction.
• Experience operating with US, EU and Asian markets would be highly desirable.

Career Development

We are committed to career development and offer tailored professional training and mentoring to help each individual thrive and realize personal potential.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.