Executive Director, Business Development

The Executive Director, Business Development & Strategic Client Relationships is responsible for driving growth through strategic Sponsor partnerships and early-phase (Phase I - 2) clinical development opportunities. This executive-level role focuses on building long-term, high-value relationships directly with pharmaceutical sponsors and biotechnology companies engaged in developing assets in ERG’s core therapeutic areas (CNS, Cardio-Metabolic, Pain) with a particular focus on assets entering first-in-human and early proof-of-concept trials.

The Executive Director serves as a senior commercial leader and ambassador for ERG and Lotus, aligning sponsor needs with the company’s internal infrastructure, clinical expertise, and operational strengths.

Key Responsibilities

Phase I-2 & Lotus-Focused Business Development

• 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.

Strategic Partnering & Relationship Management

• 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.

Commercial Leadership & Opportunity Execution

• 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.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Market Influence

• 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.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, healthcare, or a related field required.
 • Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s, or PhD) strongly preferred.
 • 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.

Skills & Competencies

• 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.

Additional Information

This position may evolve to reflect the company’s strategic growth objectives and early-phase development focus. This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibility and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties.