Vice President, Business Development, Life Sciences

Main purpose of job:

Scotland is looking for a Business Development Executive to lead Scotland’s commercial outreach in the United States in the Life Science sector.

Based at one of the British Consulates in the US and working closely with other embassy departments, the main objective of the role is to develop and maintain strategic relationships that grow Scottish trade, identify export opportunities and provide market insights in the US - Life Sciences sector.

We are looking for an experienced networker with established relationships in the US Life Science sector, understanding of the structure and working on the US Life Science industry, analytical skills acquired in an international market context with a consultative sales approach to achieving results, who is a fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skill.

The British Consulates in the US are part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. Scottish Development International (SDI), Scotland’s international trade agency, plays an important part in the Embassy’s commercial outreach and works in close collaboration with the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.

Roles and responsibilities:

The main responsibilities of this role are:

• Advance and maintain strategic relationships with organizations, private / public, that increase Scottish trade by identifying export opportunities and market insights.

• Provide expert support and advice to Scottish companies wishing to enter and/or scale in the US life science market.

• Lead on the development of effective partnerships with stakeholders such as Chambers, procurement organizations, incubators and industry bodies.

• Actively stay-informed on the life science landscape in Scotland and North America through industry research, conferences, and engagement with innovators and executives.

• Help Scottish companies understand the US market, help them develop go-to-market strategy, partnership, and funding strategies.

• Develop and maintain a wide network with decision makers in the US life science companies, identify business opportunities for Scottish companies, actively connect them to potential US customers and partners

• Excel in business development tools such as LinkedIn Sales navigator and customer relation management tools to optimize outreach and engagement.

• Excel in network-building through emails, calls, face to face meetings, networking events and conferences

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• This role does not have management responsibility

• You will have a full suite of tools at your disposal: Dynamics CRM, Sales Navigator, a library of company decks and templates, and day-to-day support and collective experience of your colleagues around the world.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience of working in the US life science industry, especially as it pertains to pre-clinical and clinical drug development. Understanding of the biologics/ pharmaceutical R&D life cycle is highly desirable.
• Ability to identify the right companies and decision makers to engage with.
• A genuine interest in healthcare and life science technologies, and international business.
• Bachelor’s degree in a life science subject (e.g., chemistry, biology, microbiology, bioengineering) or qualifications in business, management, with hands on experience in pharma/ biotech R&D.
• Well-organized, ability to function as a resourceful, individual contributor as well as a team player.
• Excellent spoken and written English to convey complex ideas to potential customers and to understand the needs of their businesses.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrate an established network with C-level, VP/Director level and other decision makers at North America life science companies.
• 6 years of sales/business development experience to relevant sectors such as biotech, pharma, medtech, and health tech industry.
• Experience in B2B business development or business consulting, with a history of closing deals.
• Consultative selling experience.
• Experience working with Venture Capital firms.
• Advanced degree in a life science subject.

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

24 April 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Location (City)

Boston, Los Angeles, San Jose

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

Boston and LA $85,358. San Jose $91,704

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

9 June 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Please note: The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Additional information

Working pattern:

Requires working 40 hours a week including 1 hour each day for lunch.

Candidates must be able to accommodate a varied working pattern due to calls with customers, partners and colleagues across the US and with companies and colleagues in Scotland.

Applicants will be asked as part of the application process which of the three locations they would prefer to be based at (Boston, LA or San Jose)

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Pacific time) on 24th April 2025

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.