Business Development Director

Are you a commercially driven senior leader ready to take ownership of growth within a specialist healthcare communications agency?

We’re partnering with a well-established, independent agency with a strong reputation across human and animal health, now looking to appoint a Business Development Director to play a pivotal role in their next phase of growth.

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape business development strategy, build meaningful partnerships across the healthcare landscape, and contribute directly to the continued success of an ambitious and collaborative agency.

Everything you need to know about the role 

As Business Development Director, you’ll sit at the heart of the agency’s growth strategy, working closely with senior leadership to identify, develop and convert new business opportunities.

This role blends strategic thinking with hands-on delivery - ideal for someone who enjoys building pipelines, opening doors, and turning opportunities into long-term client partnerships.

• Lead business development strategy across pharmaceutical and animal health sectors
• Identify, nurture and convert new business opportunities - building a strong and sustainable pipeline
• Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders
• Map therapy areas and track drug and product pipelines to proactively anticipate future opportunities
• Own the early stages of the business development lifecycle, from outreach through to pitch and qualified opportunity handover
• Collaborate with internal teams to shape compelling, insight-led proposals and pitch strategies
• Represent the agency at industry events, conferences and networking opportunities
• Contribute to the agency’s market positioning through thought leadership and industry insight

Experience and qualities that make you a strong fit

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in healthcare advertising, communications, or life sciences marketing, with proven success in business development - ideally 5 years in an agency setting. (You’ll most likely be a senior client services professional with proven Business Development experience)
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical / life sciences industry including its regulatory environment and commercial drivers
• Demonstrated success in securing new business and leading competitive pitch processes
• Experience building internal and external marketing strategies that drive agency growth
• Excellent networking, communication, relationship, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker with commercial acumen and a passion for growing healthcare brands.
• Track record of generating leads, building pipelines and converting high-value opportunities
• A strategic mindset combined with a proactive, hands-on approach – you’ll be self-motivated, ambitious and comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, industry events and networking (UK and occasionally international)

What’s on offer?

• A competitive salary of £65,000 – £80,000, plus a performance-related bonus / commission relating to new business won (based on experience and to be confirmed)
• A key, high-visibility role with real influence on the agency’s growth trajectory
• A genuinely collaborative, supportive and friendly team culture
• The opportunity to work with high-profile, global healthcare brands
• A strong balance of autonomy and support from an experienced leadership team
• Flexible, remote-first working with occasional UK and global travel
• Attractive benefits package including pension, wellbeing support and additional perks

Could this be the role for you?

If you’re looking for a role where you can truly make an impact - shaping growth, building partnerships and playing a key part in an agency’s future this could be a great opportunity and we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply below or send your CV and a brief cover letter to [email protected]

Unless otherwise stated, if applying for a job within the UK or European Union, you must ensure that you are already authorised to work there.
Carrot Recruitment acts as an Employment Business and an Employment Agency on behalf of our client in recruitment for this role.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.

If there are any arrangements or adjustments we can make to assist you at interview then please let us know and we’ll be more than happy to assist.