PHARMExcel
Fractional Head of Business Development
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Fractional Head of Business Development
Location: Remote UK-based, with occasional travel to our offices in Welwyn Garden City
Commitment: 1-2 days per week (dependant on business needs)
Salary: Competitive day rate
Start date: September 2026
About us
PHARMExcel is an award-winning, ISO 9001:2015 certified UK Contract Research Organisation (CRO) supporting biotechnology, medtech, academic and NHS organisations in the successful delivery of clinical research.
As we continue our next phase of growth, we are seeking an experienced Fractional Head of Business Development to provide strategic leadership and oversight of our Business Development function.
About the Role
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced commercial leader who enjoys developing people, improving business development performance and embedding best practice.
Rather than leading day-to-day sales activity, you will focus on strengthening the capability, governance and effectiveness of our Business Development function, working closely with our CEO, Director of Marketing and Director of Clinical Operations.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic oversight of the Business Development function.
- Coaching and developing our Business Development Team.
- Improving business development processes, governance and commercial best practice.
- Strengthening sales pipeline management, forecasting and CRM discipline.
- Enhancing proposal quality, conversion and customer experience.
- Supporting the continued growth and maturity of the Business Development function.
About you
We're looking for an experienced and collaborative leader who is passionate about developing people, building high-performing teams and helping organisations grow.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading and developing Business Development functions within a CRO, biotechnology or wider life sciences organisation.
- A proven track record of coaching and developing high-performing commercial teams that consistently deliver results.
- Expertise in business development strategy, proposal development, pipeline management and commercial governance.
- Experience implementing scalable business development processes, sales methodologies and CRM best practice.
- Strong leadership, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels.
- A collaborative approach and the confidence to provide constructive challenge within a growing, founder-led organisation.
- Commercial curiosity, strategic thinking and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Energy, authenticity, a positive outlook, a sense of humour and a genuine passion for helping others succeed.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If this sounds like the kind of opportunity you've been looking for, and you believe you have the experience, leadership and energy to help shape the next stage of PHARMExcel's growth, we'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like further information about the role please contact: Jenny Barnett, HR Consultant, jenny.barnett@pharmexcel-cro.com
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location