Business Development Manager – Life Sciences (12-Month FTC, Maternity Cover)
Location: Manchester (Hybrid)
Salary: Up to £44,000 + Benefits
Contract: Full-Time, 12-Month Fixed Term
Are you a natural relationship builder with a passion for driving growth in the life sciences sector?
Do you enjoy consultative business development and influencing senior stakeholders?
Would you like to play a direct role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s fastest-growing scientific hubs?
We’re supporting a leading organisation whose mission is to attract investment, innovation, and high-growth companies into Greater Manchester’s life sciences ecosystem. This team sits at the heart of the region’s economic strategy – helping to bring new businesses, new jobs and new opportunities to one of Europe’s most ambitious scientific clusters.
Due to maternity leave, they are seeking a Business Development Manager to join their high-performing Life Sciences & Healthcare team for a 12-month period. The role involves UK and occasional international travel, along with regular presentations to senior stakeholders, investors, and global organisations looking to expand into Manchester.
The Role
You’ll be responsible for promoting Greater Manchester as a world-class destination for life sciences business investment. This is a strategic, consultative, and outward-facing commercial role that requires confidence, credibility and strong relationship-building skills.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead engagement with high-growth life science and healthcare companies considering UK expansion.
* Build and manage a strong pipeline of inward investment opportunities.
* Deliver targeted campaigns aligned with the sector strategy to position Manchester as a prime location for R&D, manufacturing, health innovation and digital health.
* Attend national and international events, representing the region and presenting the Manchester proposition to investors and decision-makers.
* Build strong relationships with local stakeholders, universities, NHS partners, innovation hubs, and industry bodies.
* Respond to inbound investment enquiries, collaborating with internal and external partners to support decision-making.
* Create bespoke introduction and landing plans to help relocating businesses integrate into the local ecosystem.
* Identify sector trends, emerging markets, and new opportunities for investment attraction.
About You
* Strong B2B business development or consultative sales background, ideally within life sciences, healthcare, or a related technology sector.
* Track record of winning new business, growing accounts, and developing commercial pipelines.
* Excellent communicator with confidence in presenting to senior stakeholders and large audiences.
* Comfortable travelling across the UK and internationally (approx. 3–4 weeks per year).
* Highly collaborative, with project management or account implementation experience.
* Knowledge of the global life sciences landscape (US, Europe, India, China, Japan) is beneficial, but not essential.
Why This Role?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a respected Life Sciences BD function and have a genuine impact on the growth of one of the UK’s most innovative scientific regions. You’ll be working with global investors, scaling biotech and med-tech companies, and major life science decision-makers — all while helping shape the future of Greater Manchester’s ecosystem.