Director of Business Development – Life Sciences Engineering

About the role

A leading engineering and construction service provider to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with a strong, long-standing position in the Swiss market, is appointing a senior business development professional to lead client engagement across Switzerland. The role is based around Basel, with regular travel to customer sites. It follows the departure of the previous holder of the Swiss remit, who moved into a wider European leadership role.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain and deepen relationships with existing pharma and biotech clients across Switzerland.
• Identify and develop new customer opportunities, ideally before formal tenders are issued.
• Bring together engineering, project management and proposal teams to shape and win engagements.
• Lead the pursuit of engineering design, EPCM and EPC opportunities with strategic customers.
• Represent the business at industry events and within Swiss life sciences networks.
• Work closely with European commercial leadership on account strategy and order intake goals.

Required profile

• Degree in a scientific or technical discipline such as chemistry, engineering or a related field.
• Background in sales, business development or a customer-facing role within life sciences, chemicals or a related process industry; experience in engineering services or project management on the provider side is also relevant.
• Mother-tongue or C2-level German, with professional English; French is an advantage.
• Comfortable spending most of the working week with customers and on the road.
• Proactive, personable and accountable, able to work across a matrix organisation and to learn new technical subjects quickly and engage credibly with senior client stakeholders.

What we offer

• A role with real visibility and influence in a market where the business already holds a strong position.
• A defined path to a broader leadership remit for the right candidate.
• Development opportunities across a large international organisation, spanning commercial, project and leadership routes.
• A salary package aligned to experience, with a company car.

The vacancy is confidential; interested candidates should contact the recruiting consultant directly through LinkedIn or the agency's website.