Salary: £100,000–£120,000 basic salary, depending on experience, plus performance-related bonus of up to 12%
Location: Flexible, with remote working considered for the right candidate. Regular travel to company sites in the South East of England and to European sites will be required.
The opportunity
Are you a scientifically driven commercial leader who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge biotechnology and commercial success?
Our client is a specialist biotechnology company developing novel biological therapies for veterinary disease areas. With established laboratory facilities at sites in the South East of England and a growing European presence, the business is advancing innovative approaches to developing high-quality, specific and affordable biological medicines for animal health.
As the company continues to grow, we are looking for a Head of Commercial Partnerships to play a pivotal role in its next phase of development.
This is a senior, high-impact opportunity for someone who combines a strong scientific background with proven commercial acumen. You will take ownership of established strategic partnerships, develop new commercial relationships, lead licensing discussions and help shape the company's commercial strategy.
You will represent the business in discussions with major animal health pharmaceutical businesses, where scientific credibility is essential.
You will need to understand the science behind antibody therapeutics, engage confidently with highly experienced scientific and commercial stakeholders, and translate complex scientific opportunities into compelling commercial propositions.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will have the opportunity to influence business direction, identify new opportunities for the company's technology and help turn scientific innovation into sustainable commercial growth.
The role
This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on commercial delivery. Approximately half of your time will focus on developing new partnerships and commercial opportunities, with the remainder dedicated to managing and growing existing relationships.
Strategic partnerships and account management
- Take ownership of day-to-day relationships with established strategic partners, acting as a trusted and credible point of contact.
- Strengthen existing partnerships by understanding partner priorities, identifying new opportunities and ensuring effective communication across organisations.
- Build long-term relationships with senior scientific, technical and commercial stakeholders within major animal health pharmaceutical businesses.
- Represent the company in important partner meetings, working closely with the scientific team and senior leadership as appropriate.
- Ensure partnerships deliver mutual value and support the company's wider commercial objectives.
New business development and commercial growth
- Identify, develop and secure new commercial partnerships with major and mid-sized animal health pharmaceutical companies.
- Build relationships with prospective partners and licensees, developing a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities.
- Identify new applications for the company's technology across companion animal and livestock health.
- Evaluate market opportunities, understand customer needs and develop compelling commercial propositions.
- Represent the company at relevant industry meetings, conferences and partnering events to raise awareness and generate new opportunities.
- Build credibility with potential partners by articulating both the scientific potential and commercial value of the company's approach.
Licensing, negotiations and deal-making
- Lead licensing discussions and commercial negotiations with prospective partners and licensees.
- Develop and negotiate commercial agreements, working towards sustainable, mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Assess potential deal structures and valuations, balancing commercial opportunity with the company's strategic objectives.
- Work collaboratively with scientific, operational, legal and financial colleagues to progress opportunities from initial discussions through to agreement.
- Manage the development of licensing opportunities around the company's technology and internal pipeline.
Commercial strategy and business planning
- Review and refine the existing commercial strategy, developing a clear plan for the next stage of business growth.
- Identify priority markets, target partners and opportunities to maximise the commercial potential of the company's technology.
- Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, measurable KPIs and commercial targets.
- Monitor the partnership pipeline, market developments, forecasts and progress against agreed objectives.
- Work with the senior leadership team to evaluate opportunities, allocate resources and make informed commercial decisions.
- Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, helping the business respond to new opportunities as it continues to grow.
Leadership and collaboration
- Work closely with the senior leadership team, including the relevant reporting lead, to shape and deliver commercial priorities.
- Collaborate with scientific colleagues across the company's sites to ensure commercial opportunities are aligned with scientific capabilities and development priorities.
- Provide clear recommendations on the resources, systems and support needed to deliver the commercial strategy.
- Contribute to a collaborative, professional and ambitious culture as an integral member of the wider business.
This is initially an individual-contributor role, without direct reports. However, it offers significant scope to influence the business and its commercial direction as the organisation develops.
About you
We are looking for an individual who can operate confidently at the intersection of science, animal health and commercial business development.
You may currently hold a senior commercial, business development, licensing or strategic partnerships position within animal health pharmaceuticals or biotechnology. Alternatively, you may have developed a strong scientific career before moving into commercial leadership, licensing or alliance management.
What matters most is that you can demonstrate both scientific depth and the commercial capability to turn that knowledge into successful partnerships and deals.
Essential experience and expertise
- A strong scientific or veterinary background, normally supported by a Master's degree or higher in a relevant scientific discipline, or a veterinary qualification.
- Substantial experience in business development, commercial partnerships, licensing or alliance management, ideally at senior level and with approximately 10 years or more of relevant experience.
- Strong knowledge of the animal health pharmaceutical sector, ideally spanning both companion animals and livestock.
- A deep understanding of antibody discovery, antibody therapeutics or related biological therapies, with the ability to discuss the science confidently and credibly with expert scientific stakeholders.
- Experience developing strategic relationships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology or animal health organisations.
- A proven track record in commercial negotiations, deal development and securing successful partnerships or agreements.
- The ability to understand complex scientific concepts and communicate their potential commercial value clearly.
- Experience contributing to commercial strategy, business planning, pipeline development and measurable growth objectives.
- Excellent relationship-building, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
The qualities that will set you apart
- You can engage with senior scientific experts on their own terms, ask informed questions and establish credibility through your understanding of the science.
- You combine scientific curiosity with a commercial mindset, recognising where promising technology can meet a genuine market need.
- You are comfortable taking ownership, making decisions and progressing opportunities in a growing business where processes and resources may continue to evolve.
- You can move between strategic thinking and practical execution, from shaping a commercial plan to managing a partner relationship or negotiating a deal.
- You are collaborative, resilient and confident working across scientific, technical and commercial teams.
- You are comfortable representing a business externally and building trust with stakeholders at different levels.
- You have an entrepreneurial outlook and are motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to a growing biotechnology company.
Experience across multiple animal health disease areas would be valuable. Relevant opportunities may include companion animal dermatology, pain management and oncology, alongside livestock applications such as infectious disease, metabolic health, mastitis, transition cow management and early-life protection in calves. However, the company's technology is applicable across a broad range of disease areas, so we are interested in strong candidates whose experience may extend beyond these examples.
What's on offer?
- A basic salary of £100,000–£120,000, depending on experience.
- A performance-related bonus scheme of up to 12%, linked to individual and company performance. This is not guaranteed.
- Flexible location arrangements, including the possibility of fully remote working for an appropriately experienced and capable candidate.
- The opportunity to work with an innovative biotechnology business developing novel biological therapies for animal health.
- Direct involvement in strategic partnerships, commercial negotiations and licensing opportunities with major pharmaceutical organisations.
- Close collaboration with the senior leadership team and a genuine opportunity to influence commercial strategy.
- An international remit, including collaboration with company sites and partners in Europe and attendance at relevant industry conferences.
The role will involve regular international travel, including visits to the company's European site, expected to be at least quarterly, as well as travel to other sites and partners as required. Occasional travel beyond Europe may also be necessary.
For candidates who would benefit from closer collaboration, coaching or support during their introduction to the business, regular on-site attendance will be important. Location flexibility will therefore depend on the experience, capability and support requirements of the successful individual.
Why join the organisation?
This is an opportunity to do more than manage a commercial pipeline. You will help shape how an innovative animal health biotechnology company develops partnerships, commercialises its technology and approaches the next stage of growth.
For the right person, it offers the chance to combine scientific expertise, commercial leadership and entrepreneurial thinking in a role where your contribution can have a meaningful impact on both the business and the future of animal health.
Interested in finding out more?
If you have the scientific credibility to engage with leading experts and the commercial experience to turn complex opportunities into successful partnerships, we would welcome a conversation.
Please apply to register your interest and our team will contact you directly to discuss the opportunity in confidence.
