Job Description – The Senior Director, Business Development R&D

The ideal candidate is a consultative business developer who understands R&D, rather than a traditional technology salesperson. They can engage a Clinical, Regulatory, or R&D leader around a strategic business challenge, identify where advisory expertise can create value, and connect that strategy to the technology, data, process, and implementation capabilities required to execute it. They will lead as a player/coach, responsible for leading a high-performing R&D Business Development team in generating new business, expanding existing accounts, and advancing large, strategic client relationships.

As a key member of the Business Development leadership team, the Sr. Director will help oversee, mentor, and develop Business Development Directors aligned to the R&D business unit, while contributing to enterprise-level go-to-market (GTM) initiatives. This role balances near-term revenue delivery with long-term partnership development, fostering a high-performing, metrics-driven culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and cross-functional alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Selling & Revenue Growth

• Position and sell Red Nucleus’s full suite of R&D solutions, supporting clinical regulatory programs and quality solutions.
  • Clinical: Consulting, and Clinical / Data Technologies, Clinical Program Strategy, Study and Protocol Strategy, Indication prioritization
  • Regulatory Strategies: Labeling, RIM, Submission Management and Publishing, Controlled Document strategy
  • Technology: Organizational transformation, Process Design/Optimization, Change Management, E-Pro, digital endpoint strategy

• Identify, qualify, and close high-value opportunities using a consultative, needs-based sales approach

• Expand existing accounts by uncovering unmet capability gaps, engaging cross-functional stakeholders, and activating multi-capability pursuits

• Advance large, strategic, multi-year client relationships that support enterprise partnership models and sustained growth

Research & Development Expertise & Solution Leadership

• Leverage deep knowledge of clinical and regulatory programs to shape differentiated client solutions

• Partner with R&D experts within Red Nucleus to develop and deliver cohesive solutions to complex business need for our clients

• Serve as a subject-matter-informed commercial leader in client discussions, helping clients envision transformational clinical to commercial strategies tied to business outcomes

Enterprise GTM Execution

• Contribute to the design and execution of a unified, enterprise-level GTM strategy that aligns R&D priorities with broader organizational growth objectives

• Drive adoption of enterprise selling behaviors, balancing transactional opportunities with long-term strategic partnerships

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Client Services, and Business Unit leadership to ensure alignment on messaging, positioning, and priority accounts

Pipeline Management, Forecasting & Commercial Excellence

• Maintain disciplined pipeline management (both individually and the team) in Salesforce, ensuring accuracy of forecasts, opportunity stages, and data integrity

• Lead pricing, scoping, and negotiations to ensure profitable and sustainable engagements

• Ensure seamless transition from sale to delivery, reinforcing strong handoffs and exceptional client onboarding experiences

• Partner with Sales Operations to monitor performance metrics, conversion rates, and opportunities for commercial optimization

Cross-functional Collaboration & Internal Leadership

• Build strong internal relationships with R&D Solutions, medical and clinical to support integrated solution design Collaborate with Marketing on thought leadership development, campaign priorities, and conference strategy

• Represent Red Nucleus at key industry events, conferences, and client meetings as a senior commercial leader

• Reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency, and performance excellence across the R&D commercial organization

Background and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Business, Life Sciences, or related field strongly preferred

• 10+ years of proven experience in business development or commercial roles selling Research & Development, or clinical and regulatory consultative services to pharmaceutical and biotech organizations

• Demonstrated track record of consistently achieving or exceeding annual revenue targets in the $3M+ range

• Proven ability to win complex, multi-million-dollar, multi-stakeholder pursuits

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