Business Development Manager - Life Sciences & biotech - Walloon-Brabant

Our client is is an inter-university research institute subsidized by Wallonia.

Their mission is to support excellence in strategic fundamental research in life sciences through rigorously selected programmes carried out by their Investigators in the universities of the French-speaking Community of Belgium, and to promote the translation of scientific discoveries into biomedical applications.

Our client is looking for an entrepreneurial and dynamic Business Development Manager – Life Sciences, passionate about translating scientific discoveries into successful innovations to create value for our society based on results generated by fundamental research programmes.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will partner with the university TTOs and the clients Investigators to develop and implement valorisation strategies for results emerging from the client research programmes. The Business Development Manager will also manage the client Bridge funding process intended to mature early-stage intellectual property to reach the next technology transfer step. This impactful and highly visible role reports to the Managing Director and is based at the client headquarters at Wavre.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with the university TTOs and the client Investigators to proactively develop and implement valorisation strategies for results emerging from client research programmes;
• Obtain endorsement from client Research & Valorisation Committee prior to implementation of proposed valorisation strategies;
• Identify, initiate and consolidate strategic partnerships with relevant players in the Walloon region and beyond, including industries, biotech, and competitivity clusters;
• Drive the client Bridge funding process to mature early-stage intellectual property generated by client Investigators, including determining the right fit within an overall valorisation strategy and developing a network of experts for evaluation.

Basic qualifications

• Master’s in Life Sciences or equivalent;
• At least 8 years of experience in a business development role, or equivalent industrially-oriented work experience, in the field of life science & biotechnology.

Competencies :

• Highly effective at leading and influencing through a network of key stakeholders;
• Speaks both ‘ academia and industry’ languages;
• Strong business acumen, proactivity, solution-oriented, self-awareness ;
• Strategic agility combined to excellent project management skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, in French and English, and ability to engage a diverse set of audiences;
• Flexibility and high tolerance to ambiguity;

Our offer:

• Impactful and highly visible role;
• Full-time permanent contract with a salary package commensurate with your experience.

How to apply:

• Applications (curriculum vitae + motivation letter) should be sent by email to Tom Van de Woestijne, tvandewoestijne@plusonesearch.be