Head of Sales and Business Development in Bern

Mackinnon Bruce are partnered exclusively with an innovative and rapidly growing Life Sciences company specialising in advanced technologies designed to transform drug discovery and preclinical research.

Operating at the forefront of next-generation research methodologies, our client develops innovative solutions that enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations to improve the efficiency, accuracy and predictive capabilities of their drug development programmes.

As part of the company's continued international expansion, we are seeking an experienced

Head of Business Development, Sales & Marketing to lead its global commercial activities.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a strategic and hands-on leadership opportunity with responsibility for driving revenue growth, developing international commercial strategies, expanding market presence and overseeing the company's sales and marketing functions.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the company's commercial direction, establish long-term industry partnerships and build a high-performing commercial team.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the company's global commercial strategy, identifying opportunities to accelerate revenue growth and expand its presence across international markets.
• Lead the development and execution of business development initiatives, establishing strategic partnerships and strengthening relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and research organisations.
• Manage the entire commercial process, from initial market engagement and lead generation through contract negotiations, customer acquisition, order management and billing.
• Develop and execute marketing initiatives to strengthen market positioning, increase brand awareness and generate new commercial opportunities.
• Identify and prioritise key industry conferences, exhibitions and networking events, developing strategies to maximise commercial exposure and generate new business.
• Establish and maintain relationships with senior scientific and commercial decision-makers, identifying opportunities to develop existing accounts and secure new business.
• Oversee commercial performance, including revenue forecasting, pipeline management and the implementation of measurable performance indicators.
• Collaborate with internal scientific, technical and operational teams to ensure commercial activities align with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Act as a senior point of contact for key customers, overseeing account development, customer onboarding and ongoing commercial support.
• Support the development and training of internal customer-facing teams, establishing processes that improve service delivery and customer retention.
• Identify opportunities to optimise internal commercial processes, improving operational efficiency and coordination between departments.
• Work closely with the CEO to establish strategic objectives, evaluate market opportunities and provide regular reporting on commercial performance and business development activities.
• Contribute to the long-term development of the commercial function, with the opportunity to recruit, establish and lead a dedicated sales team.
• Candidate Requirements
• A minimum of five years' experience in sales and business development within the Life Sciences industry, with a demonstrated track record of selling into pharmaceutical and biotechnology organisations.
• A strong understanding of advanced in vitro research, preclinical drug development, toxicology or efficacy testing.
• Proven experience developing and executing commercial strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth and market expansion.
• Demonstrable success in identifying new business opportunities, developing sales pipelines and managing complex commercial negotiations.
• An established professional network within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or wider Life Sciences research markets.
• Experience developing marketing initiatives, representing organisations at industry events and establishing strategic customer relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to combine strategic planning with hands-on business development.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills, with the confidence to engage senior scientific and commercial stakeholders.
• A proactive, independent and commercially driven approach, with the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, growing organisation.
• Excellent English communication skills. German language proficiency would be advantageous, alongside any additional languages
• What's on Offer
• Competitive base salary with an uncapped commission structure.
• A senior leadership position reporting directly to the CEO.
• The opportunity to establish and develop your own commercial team.
• Significant influence over the company's international growth strategy and commercial direction.
• The opportunity to join an innovative and ambitious company operating within an evolving area of Life Sciences research.
• Flexible working arrangements, including remote working options.

Interested?

If you have a strong background in Life Sciences sales and business development and are interested in taking ownership of the commercial strategy for a growing organisation, please get in touch to arrange a confidential discussion.

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