Senior Pharmaceutical Business Development Manager

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Annual leave and travel allowances

Executive training and development

Job summary

Our client in the pharmaceutical sector seeks a Senior Pharmaceutical Business Development Manager to drive growth in East London, Eastern Cape. You will identify opportunities, negotiate licensing and collaboration deals, and build relationships with partners, institutions and potential licensees.

The role requires a strong market understanding, excellent negotiation skills, and a track record in life sciences BD.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field or MBA.
• 6-8 years of experience in business development, partnerships or corporate venturing in pharma/biotech.
• Proven track record of licensing, M&A and collaborations negotiations.
• Deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical market, drug development and IP landscape.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of valuation methods.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinking with strong problem-solving ability.
• Proficiency in market research and due diligence processes.
• Willingness to travel for meetings and conferences.
• Ability to operate effectively in East London and broader South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate and prioritize new business opportunities, including licensing deals and strategic alliances.
• Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence and due diligence to support BD initiatives.
• Lead negotiations for partnerships, licensing and other commercial collaborations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders in pharma and biotech.
• Prepare business proposals, presentations and financial models for deal-making.
• Collaborate with R&D, commercial, legal and finance teams to structure deals.
• Represent the company at industry conferences and meetings to promote BD activities.
• Monitor industry trends and scientific advancements to spot opportunities and threats.
• Manage a pipeline of potential deals and ensure timely execution.
• Contribute to overall strategic planning and growth objectives.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication

Financial acumen

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Life Sciences/Pharmacy or MBA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical innovator, is seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Pharmaceutical Business Development Manager to join their team in East London, Eastern Cape. This pivotal role will be responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and driving growth for our client's pharmaceutical portfolio. You will engage with key stakeholders, including potential partners, licensing organizations, and research institutions, to explore collaborations, acquisitions, and licensing agreements. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of the pharmaceutical market, excellent negotiation skills, and a proven track record in business development within the life sciences sector. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly to our client's strategic expansion and market leadership in the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new business opportunities, including potential licensing deals, co-development projects, and strategic alliances.
• Conduct market analysis, competitive intelligence gathering, and due diligence to support business development initiatives.
• Lead negotiations for strategic partnerships, licensing agreements, and other commercial collaborations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
• Prepare compelling business proposals, presentations, and financial models to support deal-making.
• Collaborate with internal R&D, commercial, legal, and finance teams to assess opportunities and structure deals.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, meetings, and events to promote business development activities.
• Monitor industry trends and scientific advancements to identify emerging opportunities and threats.
• Manage a pipeline of potential deals and ensure timely execution.
• Contribute to the overall strategic planning and growth objectives of the company.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Chemistry) or an MBA.
• A minimum of 6-8 years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or corporate venturing within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and closing complex deals (e.g., licensing, M&A, collaborations).
• In-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical market, drug development process, and intellectual property landscape.
• Excellent financial acumen and understanding of valuation methodologies.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to think strategically and analytically, with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in market research and due diligence processes.
• Willingness to travel as required for business meetings and conferences.
• Ability to operate effectively within the East London business community and broader South Africa.

Benefits

• A highly attractive annual salary of ZAR, plus performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive executive benefits package, including health, retirement, and life insurance.
• Generous annual leave and travel allowances.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and executive training.
• The chance to shape the strategic direction of a leading pharmaceutical company.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment.