Lead - Business Development - Clinical Research Firm

A global clinical research organization with over 25 years of experience conducting clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. As a full-service Contract Research Organization, SFRI supports studies from proof-of-concept through Phase IIV across pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, nutraceuticals, medical devices, and consumer health domains.

This document consolidates five remote role profiles, each with the full job description, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and a compensation budget range, ready for engagement with the hiring agency.

1. Business Development Lead Clinical Research (Global Sponsors):

Remote (with flexibility for global calls and occasional travel)

Role Overview:

We are seeking a high-impact Business Development Lead to drive revenue growth by acquiring and managing global sponsors across pharma, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, personal care, food & beverage, and wellness sectors. This role focuses on end-to-end business development from identifying opportunities to closing deals and building long-term strategic partnerships for clinical trials and research services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Revenue Growth:

- Identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities across pharma, nutraceutical, supplement, personal care, and food & beverage sectors.

- Drive the full sales cycle: lead generation - proposal - negotiation - closure - account growth.

- Build and expand SFRI's global sponsor portfolio across key geographies (US, Asia, Europe, etc.).

- Actively bring in clinical trial opportunities (sponsors seeking validation, claims, or research support).

2. Strategic Account Management:

- Build strong relationships with CXOs, R&D heads, innovation teams, and marketing leaders.

- Manage key accounts with focus on repeat business and long-term partnerships.

- Position SFRI as a clinical validation partner, not just a service provider.

3. Sales Strategy & Execution:

- Develop and execute BD strategy aligned with SFRI's growth plans.

- Maintain strong pipeline, forecasting, and deal tracking.

- Navigate complex, multi-stakeholder deals and long sales cycles.

- Collaborate internally to refine offerings, pricing, and positioning.

4. Scientific & Consultative Selling:

- Present clinical trial strategies, study designs, and evidence-generation approaches.

- Translate clinical science into business value (claims, publications, regulatory support).

- Customize solutions based on sponsor requirements (protocol to publication).

5. Market Intelligence & Expansion:

- Track industry trends in nutraceuticals & supplements, personal care & beauty-from-within, and functional foods & beverages.

- Identify new areas for clinical validation demand.

- Support go-to-market strategy and service expansion.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Work with internal teams (clinical, regulatory, data, operations) for proposal development.

- Coordinate for study feasibility, costing, and execution planning.

- Support marketing initiatives: conferences, webinars, outreach campaigns.

Key Deliverables:

- New sponsor acquisition and revenue generation.

- Strong global BD pipeline.

- Successful deal closures and long-term contracts.

- Expansion into new client segments and geographies.

- Increased repeat business and account growth.

Required Experience & Qualifications:

- 5-15+ years in Business Development / Sales, with mandatory experience in clinical research / CRO / nutraceutical / pharma / ingredients / wellness industry.

- Proven track record of bringing new clients/sponsors and closing high-value B2B deals.

- Experience working with brand owners, contract manufacturers, ingredient companies, and pharma/supplement companies.

- Strong BD mindset (hunter profile), excellent communication and presentation skills, strong negotiation and stakeholder management.

- Bachelor's degree (Science/Life Sciences preferred); MBA (Marketing/Business) preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Number of new sponsors acquired per quarter/year against target.

- Revenue generated from new business, measured against annual target.

- Pipeline value and lead-to-close conversion rate.

- Number of qualified meetings and proposals generated.

- Average deal cycle time (lead generation to closure).

- Account retention and repeat business rate.

Additional Information:

- Work location: remote - India.

- International Business.

Experience Band:

1. Mid-level (58 years).

2. Senior (812 years).