Executive Director, Business Development

Fortrea; Bengaluru; Hybrid; INR 3,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortrea in Bengaluru seeks a senior sales leader to drive account development, coaching Account Executives, and shaping strategy across global life sciences clients. The role emphasizes leadership, talent development, and performance management across territories.

You will hire and develop diverse talent, forecast territory goals, negotiate pricing, and collaborate with operations and marketing to drive opportunities. Strong English skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life science or business field preferred; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years sales experience selling services directly to the pharmaceutical and biotech sector.
• Direct interaction with mid-level and executive level decision makers.
• Demonstrated client retention skills and ability to manage difficult client scenarios.
• Ability to differentiate Fortrea from competitors and lead strategic business plans.
• Experience leading and developing a team of Account Executives and motivating client-facing teams.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to influence sales decisions.
• English required, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Senior/Executive Directors on client selection strategy, AE assignment, and account development plans.
• Lead, train, and coach assigned Account Executives; provide leadership and guidance.
• Hire and develop diverse talent for open or new territories.
• Assign accounts, territories and forecast individual territory sales goals.
• Deliver order goals for the territory.
• Assist sales team in developing internal and external relationships and identifying new market opportunities.
• Conduct quarterly review of account plans and market intelligence sharing.
• Work with Fortrea leaders to develop joint opportunities with clients; negotiate margins and pricing.
• Manage team performance and provide development feedback; monitor operating expenses.
• Utilize SFDC to manage team pipeline, forecast and analyze key sales metrics.
• Develop AE coaching/actions plans; support annual sales meeting planning; share market intelligence.

Skills

People management

Sales leadership

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Client relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in life science or business

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Overview:

The statements below reflect the general responsibilities and requirements of the identified position but may not describe all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Works closely with Senior/Executive Directors of Sales and/or Vice President of Sales and Client Services on client selection strategy, AE assignment, and account development plans.
• Manages, trains and provides leadership (coaching, mentoring, guiding, challenging, problem solving, etc.) to assigned AE’s.
• Hires and develops diverse talent for open or new territories.
• Assigns accounts, territories and forecasts individual territory sales goals.
• Delivers order goals for the territory.
• Assists sales team in developing internal and external relationships and identifying new market opportunities.
• Conducts quarterly review of account plans.
• Works closely with sales leaders in other Fortrea business units to develop joint opportunities and relationships with clients.
• Facilitates negotiation of margin and pricing discussions both internally and externally.
• Manages team performance and feedback providing guidance on development opportunities and action plans.
• Monitors and controls team operating expenses.
• Leads scheduled networking events.
• Functions as an advisor to Account Executives, troubleshooting and resolving internal and external issues.
• Facilitates strong internal relationships and communication with operational colleagues.
• Identifies and executes process improvement opportunities.
• Utilizes SFDC to manage team pipeline, forecast and analyze key sales metrics.
• Develops AE coaching/actions plans as needed.
• Gathers and shares market intelligence and competitive information with sales team, peers and marketing.
• Assists with annual sales meeting planning.
• Provides sales reports/updates to Senior Management.
• Supports/assists in developing BU-based global MSAs and preferred provider agreements.

Territory Responsibilities:

South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Bachelors degree in life science or business field preferred; advanced degree preferred.

Experience (Minimum Required):

• 10+ years sales (or relevant) experience selling services directly to the pharmaceutical and biotech section.
• Advanced industry knowledge.
• Direct interaction with mid-level and executive level decision makers.
• Demonstrated client retention skills.
• Ability to manage difficult client and/or financial situations.
• Ability to differentiate Fortrea from competitors.
• Experience developing and executing strategic business plans.
• Ability to manage and motivate client facing teams.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in leading and presenting to executives and senior levels of the client organization.
• Extensive global collaboration experience.
• Highly consultative.
• Strong customer orientation.
• Excellent negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to influence sales decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team of Account Executives
• Experience managing people.
• English required, both oral and written.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Standard office environment.
• Flexibility to participate in meetings across various time zones outside core working hours.
• Occasionally working extended hours in order to adhere to client deliverable timelines or attend client meetings.
• 50-70% travel required per year.

Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.