Clinical Trial Business Development Manager - African Clinical Research Network

Location: Remote based anywhere within Africa but requiring travel to various locations

Hours: Full-Time

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer – Africa Clinical Research Network

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford’s purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. 

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT Oxford seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in an era of artificial intelligence. 

Job Summary: 
We are establishing a clinical research network and are on a mission to revolutionise clinical research in Africa. Our vision is to build a sustainable, African-led research ecosystem that drives health equity and innovation. By establishing a network of world-class clinical research sites and capabilities, we aim to generate the evidence Africa needs to inform health decisions and policies, while cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders. 

Africa has been underrepresented in global clinical research, conducting only 2% of clinical research despite shouldering 25% of the world's disease burden. While there have been significant investments in disease-specific clinical research sites and networks, these approaches have often led to fragmented infrastructure, limited capacity, and reliance on expatriate leadership. Such models have struggled to drive long-term sustainability or meet the broader health needs of African countries and regions beyond narrow therapeutic areas. Consequently, health products and policies in Africa are often informed by data from other settings, which may not fully account for the rich diversity of African populations and local contexts. This lack of locally relevant evidence hinders the development of tailored health solutions that effectively address Africa's unique challenges and priorities. 

Our clinical research network is on a mission to transform this landscape. By partnering with leading institutions and trial units across the continent, we will establish a network of clinical research sites that serve two critical goals: diversifying global research and empowering Africa to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population.  

Our network will be designed to catalyze Africa's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D and manufacturing, ensuring the continent can drive its own health innovation agenda. We will establish digital and clinical infrastructure, while prioritizing deep community engagement to foster trust, relevance and impact.  

At our sites, we will conduct rigorous, ethical research that puts African populations and priorities at the centre. By generating high-quality local data that reflects the diversity of African contexts, we can accelerate the development and delivery of tailored global health solutions - for Africa, by Africa. Our goal is to build sustainable research capacity that outlasts any single study or funder, empowering African institutions to become global leaders in clinical research and scientific innovation for generations to come. 

Overview:

The Clinical Trial Business Development Manager is responsible for developing and executing strategies to grow the organisation's clinical research portfolio. This role focuses on identifying and securing new business opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and expanding the organization's presence in the clinical research industry while ensuring alignment with organizational capabilities and market needs. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of the clinical research industry, strong business acumen, and exceptional networking and negotiation skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development and Client Acquisition:

Identify, engage, and secure new clinical trial business opportunities with sponsors, CROs, and other research organisations.

Develop and implement a comprehensive business development strategy to achieve revenue growth targets.

Proactively conduct market research to identify potential clients and emerging industry trends.

Relationship Management:

Build and nurture long-term relationships with existing and potential clients.

Act as the primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring high levels of satisfaction.

Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and meetings to enhance brand visibility and develop networks.

Proposal Development and Contract Negotiation:

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop tailored proposals and budgets for clinical trials.

Lead contract negotiations with clients, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements.

Monitor and ensure timely delivery of project milestones to maintain client confidence and satisfaction.

Strategic Planning and Reporting:

Collaborate with leadership to align business development efforts with company goals.

Develop annual and quarterly sales forecasts and performance reports.

Track and report on key performance metrics, including lead conversion rates, revenue growth, and client retention.

Market and Industry Insights:

Stay informed about advancements in clinical research, regulatory changes, and market dynamics.

Provide insights and recommendations to enhance the company’s service offerings and competitive positioning.

Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, sales, or account management within the clinical research or healthcare industry.

Proven track record of securing and managing clinical trial contracts, working within either a pharmaceutical or CRO.

Skills and Competencies:

Strong understanding of the clinical trial process, regulatory requirements, and market landscape.

Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly.

Negotiation and contract management expertise.

Proficiency in CRM tools and Microsoft Office Suite.

Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify opportunities and address challenges effectively.

Desired Attributes:

Entrepreneurial mindset with a results-oriented approach.

Ability to build and maintain trust with diverse stakeholders.

Self-motivated and adaptable to a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Working Environment

This position is remote based within the continent of Africa, with occasional travel to head office and partnered research sites, as necessary. The role may require flexible working hours to support remote teams and ensure systems are running smoothly across time zones.