Business Development Operations Manager – Biotech 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract Kent / Canterbury – Hybrid, c.2 days per week onsite £50,000–£60,000 pro rata, depending on experience
Our client is an early-stage biotechnology company developing novel antiviral therapies. We are supporting them, on a confidential basis, in their search for a hands-on Business Development Operations Manager to support the leadership team across business development, partnering activity and the day-to-day operational requirements of a growing biotech. This is not a traditional sales or commercial role. We are looking for someone who has worked within a small biotech, life sciences or pharmaceutical business and understands what happens behind the scenes when a company is progressing partnerships, licensing discussions, investor conversations and external collaborations. You will work closely with senior scientific and commercial leaders, helping ensure BD activity is organised, responsive and professionally managed.
What you will be doing
- Supporting ongoing business development, partnering and licensing activity
- Coordinating CDAs/NDAs, agreements and associated documentation
- Managing virtual data rooms, document sharing and version control
- Maintaining BD trackers, contact records, meeting actions and follow-up activity
- Coordinating materials for external partner, investor and collaboration meetings
- Keeping presentations, company information and BD documentation organised and up to date
- Liaising with external partners, advisers, legal teams and other stakeholders
- Supporting contract administration and document workflows
- Helping manage GDPR, supplier and corporate documentation
- Supporting invoicing, expense reconciliation and basic finance administration
- Maintaining SharePoint and internal filing/document management systems
- Taking ownership of ad hoc operational projects as they arise
What we are looking for
- You will ideally have:
- Experience working within a small or scaling biotechnology, pharmaceutical or life sciences company
- Previous exposure to business development, licensing, partnerships, alliances or commercial operations
- Experience supporting senior executives with commercially sensitive projects
- Confidence managing CDAs/NDAs, data rooms, documentation and external stakeholder coordination
- Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills
- The ability to work independently without needing a highly structured corporate environment
- Comfortable moving between commercial, scientific and operational priorities
- Strong written communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience does not need to come from a formal "Business Development Manager" position. We are particularly interested in candidates who have worked in roles such as BD Operations, Business Operations, Alliance Management, Commercial Operations, Executive Operations or Programme/Project Coordination within an early-stage biotech.
The environment
Our client is a small, entrepreneurial biotech where people work closely together and responsibilities naturally extend beyond a traditional job description. You will therefore suit this opportunity if you enjoy:
Working directly with senior leadership
Being close to important company and partnering activity
Taking ownership rather than waiting for instruction
Creating structure in a fast-moving environment
Working across both strategic and practical operational tasks
This would be an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys the variety and exposure of working within an early-stage biotech and wants to play an important role supporting the company's next stage of development.
Please apply with your CV outlining your experience supporting business development, partnering or commercial activity within biotechnology or life sciences. This role is being handled confidentially by Northreach on behalf of our client.