Senior Director Business Development, R&D Solutions

Jobless; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Nucleus is seeking a Senior Director of Business Development for R&D to lead a high-performing team, drive new business, and expand strategic client relationships within pharma and biotech. The role emphasizes consultative selling of R&D, regulatory, and clinical solutions and alignment with GTM initiatives.

You will mentor BD Directors, collaborate across functions, and ensure seamless handoffs from sale to delivery while advancing enterprise partnerships and revenue growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in business development or commercial roles in R&D, clinical, or regulatory services.
• Track record of achieving $3M+ revenue targets.
• Proven ability to win multi-million-dollar, multi-stakeholder pursuits.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing R&D BD team to generate new business and expand accounts.
• Partner with clinical, regulatory, and R&D leaders to develop solutions and GTM plans.
• Own pipeline management, forecasting, pricing, and deal negotiations.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Client Services, and BU leadership to align messaging and priority accounts.
• Represent Red Nucleus at industry events and client meetings as a senior commercial leader.

Skills

Consultative selling

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Pipeline management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or Business

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Job Description – The Senior Director, Business Development R&D

The ideal candidate is a consultative business developer who understands R&D, rather than a traditional technology salesperson. They can engage a Clinical, Regulatory, or R&D leader around a strategic business challenge, identify where advisory expertise can create value, and connect that strategy to the technology, data, process, and implementation capabilities required to execute it. They will lead as a player/coach, responsible for leading a high-performing R&D Business Development team in generating new business, expanding existing accounts, and advancing large, strategic client relationships.

As a key member of the Business Development leadership team, the Sr. Director will help oversee, mentor, and develop Business Development Directors aligned to the R&D business unit, while contributing to enterprise-level go-to-market (GTM) initiatives. This role balances near-term revenue delivery with long-term partnership development, fostering a high-performing, metrics-driven culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and cross-functional alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Selling & Revenue Growth

• Position and sell Red Nucleus’s full suite of R&D solutions, supporting clinical and regulatory programs.
  • Clinical: Consulting, and Clinical / Data Technologies, Clinical Program Strategy, Study and Protocol Strategy, Indication prioritization
  • Regulatory Strategies: Labeling, RIM, Submission Management and Publishing, Controlled Document strategy
  • Technology: Organizational transformation, Process Design/Optimization, Change Management, E-Pro, digital endpoint strategy
• Identify, qualify, and close high-value opportunities using a consultative, needs-based sales approach
• Expand existing accounts by uncovering unmet capability gaps, engaging cross-functional stakeholders, and activating multi-capability pursuits
• Advance large, strategic, multi-year client relationships that support enterprise partnership models and sustained growth

Research & Development Expertise & Solution Leadership

• Leverage deep knowledge of clinical and regulatory programs to shape differentiated client solutions
• Partner with R&D Consulting leaders and clinical and regulatory experts within Red Nucleus to develop and deliver cohesive solutions to complex business need for our clients
• Serve as a subject-matter-informed commercial leader in client discussions, helping clients envision transformational clinical to commercial strategies tied to business outcomes

Enterprise GTM Execution

• Contribute to the design and execution of a unified, enterprise-level GTM strategy that aligns R&D priorities with broader organizational growth objectives
• Drive adoption of enterprise selling behaviors, balancing transactional opportunities with long-term strategic partnerships
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Client Services, and Business Unit leadership to ensure alignment on messaging, positioning, and priority accounts

Pipeline Management, Forecasting & Commercial Excellence

• Maintain disciplined pipeline management (both individually and the team) in Salesforce, ensuring accuracy of forecasts, opportunity stages, and data integrity
• Lead pricing, scoping, and negotiations to ensure profitable and sustainable engagements
• Ensure seamless transition from sale to delivery, reinforcing strong handoffs and exceptional client onboarding experiences
• Partner with Sales Operations to monitor performance metrics, conversion rates, and opportunities for commercial optimization

Cross-functional Collaboration & Internal Leadership

• Build strong internal relationships with R&D Solutions, medical and clinical to support integrated solution design Collaborate with Marketing on thought leadership development, campaign priorities, and conference strategy
• Represent Red Nucleus at key industry events, conferences, and client meetings as a senior commercial leader
• Reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency, and performance excellence across the R&D commercial organization

Background and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Business, Life Sciences, or related field strongly preferred
• 10+ years of proven experience in business development or commercial roles selling Research & Development, or clinical and regulatory consultative services to pharmaceutical and biotech organizations
• Demonstrated track record of consistently achieving or exceeding annual revenue targets in the $3M+ range
• Proven ability to win complex, multi-million-dollar, multi-stakeholder pursuits