Executive Director, Business Development

Evolution Research Group • US,

1d

About The Position

The Executive Director, Business Development & Strategic Client Relationships is responsible for driving growth through strategic Sponsor partnerships and early-phase (Phase I - 2) clinical development opportunities. This executive-level role focuses on building long-term, high-value relationships directly with pharmaceutical sponsors and biotechnology companies engaged in developing assets in ERG’s core therapeutic areas (CNS, Cardio-Metabolic, Pain) with a particular focus on assets entering first-in-human and early proof-of-concept trials.

The Executive Director serves as a senior commercial leader and ambassador for ERG and Lotus, aligning sponsor needs with the company’s internal infrastructure, clinical expertise, and operational strengths.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, healthcare, or a related field required.
• 8–10+ years of progressive business development or strategic partnership experience within a CRO, clinical research site network, or early-phase clinical research organization.
• Demonstrated success managing complex Phase I sales cycles and executive-level relationships.
• Deep understanding of Phase I clinical development and CRO engagement models.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgment and market awareness.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms (i.e. Salesforce, Devana)
• Willingness to travel for CRO meetings, sponsor engagements, and industry events.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s, or PhD) strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-level business development efforts focused on Phase I-2 and early development programs, including first-in-human and early proof-of-concept studies.
• Develop and execute engagement strategies to build preferred partnerships and drive repeat business to ERG and Lotus.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue early-phase opportunities aligned with ERG’s therapeutic strengths, capacity, and operational capabilities.
• Maintain market insight into CRO operating models, sponsor pipelines, and early-phase development trends.
• Cultivate long-term, trusted partnerships based on clinical insight, credibility, and consistent delivery.
• Expand relationships through multi-study engagements, preferred site models, and early pipeline visibility.
• Represent ERG and Lotus at industry conferences and sponsor meetings as a senior spokesperson.
• Support development of complex client proposals, including feasibility assessments, budgets, timelines, and capacity planning.
• Collaborate closely with clinical operations, medical leadership, finance, and feasibility teams to ensure commercially sound proposals.
• Support pricing strategy and negotiations while ensuring alignment with internal delivery standards and risk tolerance.
• Maintain disciplined opportunity tracking, forecasting, and reporting using Lotus and EG CRM systems.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to translate CRO and sponsor requirements into operational and strategic priorities.
• Provide market feedback to inform Phase I capability development, site expansion, and service differentiation.
• Influence cross-functional alignment to support seamless execution from opportunity identification through study start-up.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive