Director, Business Development – Biologics & Biomarkers
Celerion
Summary
The Senior Director, Business Development – Biologics & Biomarkers is responsible for driving strategic growth of Celerion's Bioanalytical Services business through the acquisition of new clients and programs within biologics, biomarkers, molecular and cellular bioanalysis, and other emerging therapeutic modalities.
Job description
This is a national business development role focused on expanding Celerion's presence with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies conducting patient-based clinical development, including oncology, immunology, rare disease, neuroscience, cell and gene therapy, and other specialty therapeutic areas. The position emphasizes organizations that have historically conducted limited or no business with Celerion because they do not primarily utilize healthy volunteer clinical studies.
Operating as a highly technical commercial leader, this individual will combine scientific credibility with consultative selling to develop new client relationships, identify emerging opportunities, and position Celerion as a preferred bioanalytical partner. The role will play a significant part in building business for Celerion's Phoenix and Lincoln bioanalytical laboratories and expanding the company's biologics and biomarker portfolio.
Because this position operates nationally and collaborates closely with regional Business Development teams, success requires exceptional communication, collaboration, and organizational maturity to effectively coordinate client ownership, maximize commercial opportunities, and support overall company growth.
Essential Functions
Business Development
- Develop and execute a national business development strategy focused on biologics, biomarkers, molecular and cellular bioanalysis, and emerging therapeutic modalities.
- Identify, qualify, and secure new business opportunities with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that are not currently significant Celerion clients.
- Build relationships with scientific and executive decision makers including bioanalytical scientists, translational medicine leaders, clinical pharmacologists, DMPK scientists, biomarker groups, procurement organizations, and executive leadership.
- Develop opportunities within sponsors conducting patient-based clinical trials, including oncology and other specialty therapeutic areas.
- Build and maintain a robust national opportunity pipeline with emphasis on new client acquisition.
Scientific & Commercial Leadership
- Serve as a technical commercial resource capable of discussing bioanalytical strategies, assay technologies, biomarkers, ligand binding assays, immunogenicity, molecular assays, flow cytometry, PCR, cell-based assays, and other advanced bioanalytical capabilities.
- Partner closely with scientific leadership to develop client-specific solutions.
- Represent Celerion at scientific meetings, partnering conferences, and industry events.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging therapeutic modalities, regulatory trends, and competitive offerings.
Strategic Growth
- Support commercialization of Celerion's expanded biologics and biomarker capabilities.
- Drive business growth supporting the Phoenix and Lincoln bioanalytical laboratories.
- Identify emerging market opportunities and provide competitive intelligence to commercial and operational leadership.
- Collaborate with Marketing on strategic campaigns supporting biologics and biomarker growth initiatives.
Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with regional Business Development representatives to coordinate customer engagement and account ownership.
- Proactively communicate opportunities and resolve territory or account overlaps professionally.
- Partner with Operations, Scientific Affairs, Proposal Development, Contracts, and Executive Leadership to maximize customer success.
- Support a culture of teamwork where overall company growth takes priority over individual account ownership.
Customer Relationship Management
- Maintain accurate sales forecasts and opportunity management within CRM.
- Develop strategic account plans for priority opportunities.
- Lead client meetings, scientific discussions, proposal strategy, and contract negotiations.
- Ensure exceptional customer experience throughout the sales process.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related scientific discipline required.
- Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in pharmaceutical or CRO business development.
- Demonstrated success selling biologics, biomarkers, bioanalytical, translational medicine, or related laboratory services.
- Strong understanding of large molecule bioanalysis including ligand binding assays, immunogenicity, biomarkers, molecular assays, flow cytometry, PCR, and emerging therapeutic modalities.
- Established network within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently generate new business through prospecting and relationship development.
- Experience selling consultative scientific services to technical decision makers.
- Excellent presentation, negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across complex matrix organizations.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously.
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout the United States (approximately 50–70%).
- Strong preference for candidates with established relationships in West Coast and Northeast biotechnology markets.
Company overview
Celerion is a global leader in early clinical research and a premier clinical research organization (CRO) specializing in early-phase drug development. Founded in 2010 with roots dating back to 1969, the company operates with over 50 years of experience in conducting clinical trials. Celerion focuses on Phase 1 studies, including first-in-human dose escalation, drug-drug interactions, cardiac safety, bioequivalence, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics in patient populations. The company's name derives from the Latin 'celeritas,' meaning swiftness and speed, reflecting its commitment to accelerating drug development timelines. With more than 1,000 full-time scientific and medical personnel and over 650 clinical beds across global facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, Celerion provides comprehensive services including clinical pharmacology studies, bioanalytical services, data management, biostatistics, and regulatory support. The company has conducted over 6,000 studies and works with pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients to enable faster, informed decisions in drug development, helping bring new medicines to market more efficiently.