Director, Business Development

Ardena • Franklin Township, NJ

14h • Remote

About The Position

Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in precision medicine development. Ardena supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market. The Ardena Group operates from five sites across Europe and the United States, employing more than 750 professionals. Ardena European sites are located in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), and Pamplona (Spain). Ardena US facility is based in Somerset, New Jersey. For the Ardena Business Unit based in Somerset (US), we are looking for a Director, Business Development. Ardena provides integrated services spanning drug substance development, drug product formulation, GMP manufacturing, bioanalytical services, clinical logistics, fill and finish, and CMC regulatory support.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor's degree with work experience in the CDMO and or CRO services.
• 7+ years of experience in pharmaceutical industry with a focus on Drug Product Development, Drug Substance, and Bioanalytical services.
• Proven success in operating in the CDMO business.
• Ability to effectively build strong relationships within all levels/disciplines of a biopharma accounts—matrix approach involving both functional representation and multiple levels of senior management
• Proven leadership skills, track record of success, ability to understand customer needs, prioritize multiple tasks, and drive projects to completion.
• Fluent in English essential

Responsibilities

• Proactively develop new business opportunities for contract research services by prospecting, networking, and calling on biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, with a strong emphasis on the Boston, MA market.
• Maintain a high level of in‑person customer engagement in the Boston area through regular meetings, site visits, and industry participation.
• Evaluate and assess contract research opportunities by understanding customer scientific objectives, development strategies, timelines, and business priorities.
• Partner with internal scientific, technical, and operational teams to assess feasibility, scope, and alignment of prospective opportunities with organizational capabilities.
• Respond to incoming leads and inquiries from multiple sources and qualify opportunities through structured business analysis, customer evaluation, and strategic fit assessment.
• Engage in the sales process from preliminary discussions through close of project and beyond, maintaining momentum and clear communication throughout the sales cycle.
• Present the organization’s research capabilities and value proposition to customers and support customer meetings, capability presentations, and site visits as required.
• Increase the value of each opportunity by identifying adjacent or follow‑on research needs and educating customers on the full range of services available across the organization.
• Ensure a successful transition to Project Management and operational teams when appropriate, while maintaining strong client relationships to support repeat and future business opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with customer stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, demonstrating consistent professionalism, discretion, and reliability.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all opportunities, activities, and forecasts within the CRM system.
• Provide regular pipeline updates, forecasts, and commercial insights to management.
• Represent the organization at relevant industry conferences, trade shows, and customer meetings, particularly those located in or related to the Boston biotechnology ecosystem.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)
• Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)
• International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites
• Access to professional development and training programs
• Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health
• A values-driven culture guided by Ardena’s CARE principles: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable, and Excellent

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees