Associate BD Director

Job Description

Title: Associate Director, Business Development

Location: Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan (Remote Work Available)

Employment Type: Full-time

Reports To: President of the Japan entity and Headquarters (China)

Position Summary

Jiuzhou Pharma Lab Co., Ltd., the Japanese subsidiary of Zhejiang Jiuzhou Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a leading global pharmaceutical CDMO, is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Associate Director, Business Development to support the continued expansion of its business in Japan.

This role will be instrumental in identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities with pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and academic institutions. Working closely with the President of the Japan entity and headquarters in China, the successful candidate will serve as a strategic commercial leader responsible for driving sustainable revenue growth and strengthening customer relationships in the Japanese market.

Business Development & Sales

• Drive business development activities for the Company's CDMO services, including API development and manufacturing, custom synthesis, process development, and related outsourcing services.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new business opportunities within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life sciences sectors.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans to achieve annual sales and growth objectives.
• Lead the entire sales cycle, including lead generation, customer engagement, proposal preparation, quotation management, contract negotiations, and deal closure.
• Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline and provide accurate sales forecasts.

Key Account Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision-makers and stakeholders at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• Expand existing customer relationships through cross-selling and up-selling opportunities across multiple development and manufacturing programs.
• Serve as the primary commercial contact for strategic accounts.
• Ensure high customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.

Strategic Planning & Market Development

• Develop and execute commercial strategies together with the President of the Japan entity and teams in China.
• Analyze market trends, competitive dynamics, and industry developments related to CDMO services.
• Identify emerging business opportunities in high-growth therapeutic and technology areas.
• Support market entry and business expansion initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with R&D, manufacturing, project management, quality, and technical teams in China and Japan.
• Coordinate customer requests and technical discussions to align customer expectations with operational capabilities.
• Facilitate smooth transitions from commercial discussions to project execution.
• Support customer visits, technical meetings, audits, and business reviews.

Market Intelligence & Reporting

• Monitor competitor activities, industry trends, and outsourcing strategies within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Prepare regular business development reports and provide commercial updates to management.
• Provide actionable market intelligence to support strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

Required;

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CDMO, or CRO industry.
• At least 3 years of experience in business development, sales, licensing, account management, API commercialization, CDMO services, or outsourced drug development services.
• Proven ability to build and maintain customer relationships and successfully close business opportunities.
• Native-level Japanese communication skills.
• Business-level English and/or Chinese communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred;

• Established network within Japanese pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• Experience supporting outsourcing decisions related to drug discovery, development, CMC, or manufacturing.
• Knowledge of emerging modalities including Oligonucleotides, Peptides, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), and other advanced therapeutic technologies.

Core Competencies;

• Strategic Thinking
• Customer Relationship Management
• Business Development Excellence
• Business Negotiation
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Project Coordination
• Results Orientation
• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Autonomy
• Accountability

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to join a growing global CDMO organization.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership in Japan and China.
• Ability to influence commercial strategy and business growth in Japan.
• Opportunity to work with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• Exposure to innovative therapies and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Strong career development opportunities within an expanding global organization.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance-based incentive program.
• Employment by a Japanese legal entity.
• Comprehensive Japanese social insurance coverage (Health Insurance, Employees’ Pension Insurance, Employment Insurance, and Workers’ Compensation Insurance).
• Commuting allowance.
• Paid annual leave.
• Annual health check-up.
• Corporate Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DC).
• International collaboration and career development opportunities.