Senior Director Business Development

Discover International; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Discover International, a growing cell and gene therapy CDMO, is seeking a Director / Senior Director of Business Development to steer commercial growth. You will work directly with the Chief Commercial Officer to expand the customer base, develop strategic partnerships, and drive new business opportunities across viral vector development and manufacturing for biotech and pharmaceutical clients.

This high-visibility leadership role offers significant autonomy in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial

Qualifications

• Proven business development experience within a CDMO, CMO or related pharmaceutical services organization.
• Strong understanding of the cell and gene therapy landscape, particularly viral vector development and manufacturing.
• Experience selling development, process development or GMP manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients.
• Demonstrated success generating new business, managing complex sales cycles and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Established industry relationships across the cell and gene therapy ecosystem.
• Comfortable operating independently in a smaller, entrepreneurial and fast-growing organization.
• Strong technical understanding and the ability to communicate complex manufacturing services to prospective customers.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities within the cell and gene therapy market.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients requiring viral vector development and manufacturing services.
• Establish relationships with key decision-makers across emerging biotech, pharmaceutical and advanced therapy organizations.
• Lead the full sales cycle, from prospecting and initial engagement through proposals, negotiations and contract execution.
• Work closely with technical, manufacturing and operational teams to develop solutions aligned with customer requirements.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, networking events and client meetings.
• Contribute to the development of the commercial function, with opportunities to take on broader leadership responsibilities as the business expands

Skills

Business development

CDMO knowledge

Sales leadership

Biotech/Pharma sales

Relationship building

Independent work

Technical communication

Travel willingness

Job description

Location: Maryland / Washington HQ | Remote

Travel: Up to 50% | Remote

Industry: Cell & Gene Therapy | Viral Vector Manufacturing | CDMO

About the Opportunity

Discover International is partnering with a growing, specialized cell and gene therapy CDMO seeking a Director / Senior Director of Business Development to support its next phase of commercial growth.

The organization specializes in viral vector development and manufacturing, supporting biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in advancing innovative gene therapies toward clinical and commercial development.

This is an opportunity to join a growing business with significant potential for career progression, working directly with the Chief Commercial Officer to expand its customer base, develop strategic partnerships and drive new business.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities within the cell and gene therapy market
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients requiring viral vector development and manufacturing services
• Establish relationships with key decision-makers across emerging biotech, pharmaceutical and advanced therapy organizations
• Lead the full sales cycle, from prospecting and initial engagement through proposals, negotiations and contract execution
• Work closely with technical, manufacturing and operational teams to develop solutions aligned with customer requirements
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, networking events and client meetings
• Contribute to the development of the commercial function, with opportunities to take on broader leadership responsibilities as the business expands

Candidate Requirements

• Proven business development experience within a CDMO, CMO or related pharmaceutical services organization
• Strong understanding of the cell and gene therapy landscape, particularly viral vector development and manufacturing
• Experience selling development, process development or GMP manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients
• Demonstrated success generating new business, managing complex sales cycles and negotiating commercial agreements
• Established industry relationships across the cell and gene therapy ecosystem
• Comfortable operating independently in a smaller, entrepreneurial and fast-growing organization
• Strong technical understanding and the ability to communicate complex manufacturing services to prospective customers
• Willingness to travel up to 50%

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Join a specialist CDMO operating within the rapidly evolving cell and gene therapy market
• Work directly with senior commercial leadership and have a meaningful impact on business growth
• Take ownership of new business development with significant autonomy
• Help shape the commercial direction of a growing organization
• Opportunity for long-term career progression into broader commercial leadership