Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Evolution Research Group is seeking an Executive Director, Business Development & Strategic Client Relationships to drive growth through strategic pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsor partnerships and early-phase clinical development opportunities. The role leads enterprise business development, manages executive-level relationships, supports complex proposals and negotiations, and collaborates cross-functionally to advance Phase I–II programs.
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
Skills
- 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
- Advanced degree (MBA, Master's, or PhD) strongly preferred
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