Director, Scientific Business Development-Pharma Job Listing at Kelly Services in Sunnyvale, CA (Job ID 10116069)

Description

Clinical Operations Manager / Director, Scientific Business Development-Pharma
 
Job Summary:
A global molecular diagnostics organization is seeking an experienced Clinical Operations Manager / Director of Scientific Business Development to drive pharmaceutical clinical trial collaborations. This role is focused on advancing an established pipeline of pharma opportunities, closing high-value clinical trial collaboration agreements, and ensuring continuity and growth within a lean, fast-moving business environment. The ideal candidate brings deep pharmaceutical industry experience, strong business development instincts, and a proven ability to close complex, multi-million-dollar deals with large pharma partners.
 
• Location: Remote (U.S.-based; travel as needed)
• Pay Rate: ~$175/hr
• Duration: Contract through 12/31/2026 (extension and potential FTE conversion dependent on performance and business outcomes)
• Travel: Limited; occasional East Coast pharma site visits and approximately 1 visit per quarter to Sunnyvale, CA
 
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Develop and actively manage a pipeline of strategic pharmaceutical partners focused on clinical trial collaborations.
• Advance existing funnel opportunities and drive them through outreach, negotiation, and close.
• Lead and support negotiations for pharma clinical trial collaborations, including licensing and partnership agreements.
• Perform economic and strategic analyses of new opportunities to support executive decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver high-impact presentations to internal stakeholders and external pharma partners.
• Provide thought leadership on pharmaceutical market trends, diagnostics integration, and clinical trial enablement strategies.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams (legal, finance, order management) to ensure deals are executed end-to-end in a lean operating environment.
• Work alongside senior leadership and an experienced Director of Business Development to progress opportunities and close transactions.
• Represent the organization professionally in client-facing discussions, demonstrating strong presentation skills and emotional intelligence.
 
Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or
• Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, or
• Doctoral degree with 5+ years of relevant experience
 
Experience:
• Extensive pharmaceutical industry experience required.
• Proven background in business development and strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated success closing complex, multi-million-dollar transactions.
• Experience working with large pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Merck, Lilly).
• Familiarity with clinical trial collaborations and diagnostics-enabled trial workflows strongly preferred.
• Experience managing alliances, licensing, and collaboration agreements.
 
Technical & Functional Skills:
• Strong understanding of pharma clinical trial ecosystems and decision-making processes.
• Ability to assess opportunity value, risk, and strategic fit.
• Comfort working with existing product portfolios (platforms and assays) rather than early-stage R&D offerings.
• Ability to quickly learn and articulate product positioning and value propositions.
 
Soft Skills & Attributes:
• Proven “closer” mindset with the ability to move opportunities from discussion to execution.
• Highly perceptive in client conversations with strong executive presence and presentation skills.
• Self-directed, proactive, and comfortable operating in a lean environment with limited back-office support.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to build trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• Patience and persistence to manage long, complex sales cycles.
• Adaptable, sharp, and able to ramp quickly without extended onboarding.
 
Opportunities:
• Play a critical role in revitalizing and growing a high-impact pharma collaboration business.
• Directly influence revenue growth through closing one or more high-value clinical trial partnerships.
• Potential pathway to full-time employment based on business performance and outcomes.
• Work closely with seasoned industry leaders in a highly visible, strategic role.
 
Important Application Note:
The Kelly® Recruiter will ask for your Month and Day of Birth (not the year) to submit your application into the client's system. This is a required step in the process.
 

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

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