What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Director of Business Development position at Xtalks?
PhaseV is transforming clinical development through advanced AI and ML. With rapidly growing demand from top pharma, biotech companies, and CROs, we're seeking a Senior Director of Business Development to help support and expand our commercial momentum as more sponsors adopt our platform to design and run smarter, faster trials. Our growth and impact have been recognized across the industry, with awards including the Biotech Breakthrough Award, TechCrunch 2025 Disruptors60, and CB Insights Digital Health 50, underscoring our innovation, real-world results, and leadership in applying AI and ML to modern clinical development.
This is a senior, externally facing role with a focus on expanding and deepening PhaseV's rapidly growing presence within the CRO ecosystem. CRO partnerships have become an increasingly important growth driver for the company, and we continue to see strong demand for our solutions across this segment.
In this role, you will be responsible for cultivating strategic CRO partnerships, leading complex enterprise engagements, and helping scale a partnership channel that is already generating significant momentum.
You'll work closely with the VP of Business Development and cross-functional leaders to ensure PhaseV's technology and expertise reach the organizations driving the future of clinical innovation.
What You'll Do
In the near term, you will actively expand PhaseV's CRO pipeline, landing early partnerships, establishing credibility in the CRO ecosystem, and demonstrating traction in a high-priority vertical. Over time, you will have the potential to lead a growing CRO-focused BD practice, hiring and developing your own team, and establishing PhaseV as the go-to AI/ML platform for CROs running smarter, more efficient trials.
Additional Information
This is a senior, externally facing role with a focus on expanding and deepening PhaseV's rapidly growing presence within the CRO ecosystem. CRO partnerships have become an increasingly important growth driver for the company, and we continue to see strong demand for our solutions across this segment.
In this role, you will be responsible for cultivating strategic CRO partnerships, leading complex enterprise engagements, and helping scale a partnership channel that is already generating significant momentum.
You'll work closely with the VP of Business Development and cross-functional leaders to ensure PhaseV's technology and expertise reach the organizations driving the future of clinical innovation.
What You'll Do
- Own and drive the development of PhaseV's CRO vertical, including building relationships, generating pipeline, and closing strategic partnerships with global and regional CROs.
- Lead full-cycle enterprise engagements from strategic prospecting and stakeholder alignment through contracting and early client success.
- Build and deepen relationships with senior executives across the CRO landscape.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Data Science, and medical leaders to align platform capabilities with client needs.
- Shape proposals, pricing, and contract structures that reflect the unique commercial dynamics of CRO partnerships; negotiate MSAs and SOWs with Procurement and Legal.
- Provide commercial counsel and mentorship to peers within the BD organization.
- Drive account growth and renewals by ensuring measurable value and high client satisfaction.
- 10 years of enterprise business development or strategic partnerships experience in life-science software, data, or tech-enabled services.
- Deep understanding of how CROs operate, including their internal workflows, pricing structures, procurement processes, and the way they evaluate and adopt technology platforms.
- Proven record of closing $1M ACV deals with pharma sponsors or CROs, in a quota-carrying enterprise sales capacity.
- Strong understanding of clinical development workflows and the role of AI/ML in modern trial design.
- Excellent communicator with strong executive presence and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experienced in negotiating complex commercial agreements with Procurement and Legal.
- A roll-up-your-sleeves mentality, comfortable operating across hands-on prospecting and relationship building, as well as strategy and oversight.
- Established CRO network with existing relationships that can accelerate early pipeline development.
- Experience at AI/ML, RWE, or analytics-driven technology companies supporting clinical development.
- Advanced degree (MBA, PhD, or MD) valued but not required.
- Knowledge of innovative trial designs, site selection and monitoring, and translational and clinical research
In the near term, you will actively expand PhaseV's CRO pipeline, landing early partnerships, establishing credibility in the CRO ecosystem, and demonstrating traction in a high-priority vertical. Over time, you will have the potential to lead a growing CRO-focused BD practice, hiring and developing your own team, and establishing PhaseV as the go-to AI/ML platform for CROs running smarter, more efficient trials.
Additional Information
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. PhaseV is not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship for employment visas at this time.
- PhaseV is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
- PhaseV maintains a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
- Competitive package including base salary, performance bonus, and additional earning potential for exceeding target, plus equity participation, comprehensive benefits, 401(k) match, and a flexible hybrid culture.
- Reports to VP of Business Development.