Lead BD for a global CRO in China. Sell overseas clinical trial services to Chinese biopharma sponsors. 8+ yrs BD exp in CRO/pharma & deep China network required. Strategic role.
Bridge China’s Biopharma Innovation to Global Trials: Strategic Business Development Leadership
Emerald Clinical Trials is a global, full-service CRO with deep roots in the Asia-Pacific region. We specialize in advancing clinical research with focused expertise in renal, cardiometabolic, and oncology. Our mission is to combine global operational excellence with local community trust to deliver faster, more reliable outcomes.
We are seeking a strategic and well-connected Business Development Director (or Senior BD Manager) to lead our growth initiative with Chinese biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. In this pivotal role, you will be the face of Emerald for Chinese innovators seeking to conduct high-quality, cost-effective clinical trials outside of China. You will leverage our global infrastructure and therapeutic expertise to position Emerald as the CRO of choice for sponsors expanding into international markets. If you have a proven track record of selling global CRO services within China and a deep network in its vibrant biopharma ecosystem, this is your opportunity to drive significant growth with a purpose-driven organization.
Note: Final title (Senior BD Manager or BD Director) will be commensurate with experience.
Your Mission: Architect Strategic Partnerships for Global Clinical Development
You will design and execute a targeted sales strategy to engage Chinese sponsors, understand their globalization roadmap, and craft compelling proposals for overseas trials that leverage Emerald’s global reach.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business Development & Market Penetration
- Develop and execute a targeted outbound sales strategy to promote Emerald’s global clinical trial capabilities to Chinese biotech and pharma companies.
- Identify and engage decision-makers at Chinese sponsors actively planning global or multi-regional trials in North America, APAC, Europe, and other key regions.
- Position Emerald as the strategic partner of choice, highlighting our international regulatory expertise, diverse patient access, and operational excellence.
2. Client Engagement & Relationship Mastery
- Proactively build and nurture senior-level relationships with R&D heads, clinical operations leaders, and outsourcing executives in China’s biopharma sector.
- Lead compelling capability presentations and solution workshops, showcasing success stories of executing overseas trials for Chinese sponsors.
- Attend and represent Emerald at key industry conferences and networking events in China and internationally.
3. End-to-End Deal Leadership
- Collaborate with internal proposal, operations, and regulatory teams to develop tailored, competitive proposals and budgets for overseas trials.
- Lead contract negotiations, ensuring alignment with company profitability, legal standards, and client expectations.
- Drive the entire sales cycle from lead generation and qualification to contract signing and smooth transition to project teams.
4. Market Intelligence & Strategic Insight
- Monitor trends in China’s biopharma outbound investment, globalization strategies, and regulatory developments.
- Analyze competitor offerings and identify Emerald’s key differentiators for the Chinese market.
- Provide strategic insights to leadership and marketing to shape China-focused messaging, case studies, and campaign.
Who You Are: The Ideal Strategic Partner
You are a seasoned BD professional with an established reputation and network within China’s life sciences sector. You are a strategic thinker, a confident negotiator, and a true believer in the value of global clinical development partnerships.
Your Required Profile:
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related field. An advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) is preferred.
- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the CRO, biotech, or pharmaceutical industry, with at least 3 years in a direct Business Development role.
- Proven track record of successfully selling international/global clinical trial services to Chinese biopharma clients.
- Established, strong network within China’s biotech and emerging pharma landscape.
- Deep understanding of clinical trial processes, ICH-GCP, and regulatory landscapes (NMPA, FDA, EMA).
- Fluent in English and Mandarin (written and spoken) is essential.
- Strategic, self-driven, and target-oriented, with willingness to travel domestically 40-50%.
Why Lead Business Development for Emerald in China?
1. Impact at the Strategic Frontier
- Play a defining role in connecting China’s biopharma innovation with global development pathways, directly contributing to bringing new therapies to patients worldwide.
- Shape the growth strategy for a key market within a global, therapeutic-focused CRO.
2. Leadership & Career Ownership
- Enjoy significant autonomy and ownership of the China outbound business development portfolio.
- High-visibility role with a direct path to VP of Business Development or regional commercial leadership.
3. Culture of Purpose & Support
- Competitive compensation package including attractive base salary, commission, and benefits.
- Hybrid/remote flexibility and support for a global role.
- Work in a collaborative, innovative culture that values diverse perspectives and professional growth.
- Be part of a team genuinely committed to improving global health through people-centered research.
Ready to Partner with China’s Innovators on the Global Stage?
If you are a business development leader passionate about building bridges between China’s biopharma potential and global clinical execution, we want to hear from you.
Apply now to become the strategic architect of Emerald’s growth in China.
- Emerald Clinical Trials is an equal-opportunity employer.
