Director, Business Development Neighborhood

About VCLS 
VCLS supports biotech, pharma, and medtech companies from discovery to patient impact. Driven by a bold mission to accelerate life‑changing products to market, our global team of regulatory, clinical, and market access experts works toward a long‑term ambition: enabling the development of 500 new healthtech solutions by 2050. 

VCLS’s flagship acceleration program, Neighborhood, supports healthtech startups and innovators through personalized mentoring, regulatory strategy, and access to VCLS’ global expert network. 

Why This Role Matters: 

The Director, Business Development & Neighborhood plays a pivotal hybrid role combining strategic commercial leadership and scientific ecosystem engagement. The role directly contributes to VCLS’s growth objectives while developing a high-impact innovation platform. It ensures a strong bridge between revenue generation, scientific credibility, and early-stage innovation acceleration in Switzerland. 

Core Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership – Business Development (50%) 

• Develop and execute BD strategies aligned with global VCLS objectives and Swiss market priorities. 

• Actively contribute to the global BD strategy and identify regional growth opportunities. 

• Build, manage and qualify a strong pipeline ensuring both volume and quality of opportunities. 

• Drive sales growth, revenue and profitability in alignment with annual targets. 

• Expand VCLS visibility and positioning within Switzerland. 

Client Engagement 

• Identify and win new clients across VCLS service portfolio. 

• Manage key accounts ensuring satisfaction and long-term partnerships. 

• Develop deep understanding of client organizations and decision-makers. 

• Ensure client needs are clearly understood and proactively translated into high-quality proposals. 

• Collaborate with delivery teams to expand scope and address client needs. 

Collaboration & Representation 

• Partner with senior leadership, Centre of Excellence leads, BU heads and marketing to drive growth. 

• Leverage VCLS’s global regulatory, scientific, and acceleration program expertise to maximize impact. 

• Represent VCLS at industry events and strengthen visibility. 

Neighborhood Program Leadership (50%) 

• Define and execute the strategic roadmap of Neighborhood in Switzerland, in close coordination with the Director of Neighborhood. 

• Oversee acceleration programs (drug development, biologics, cell & gene therapy, medical devices, IVD). 

• Structure and optimize mentoring frameworks leveraging VCLS experts. 

• Ensure delivery of high-value scientific and regulatory guidance. 

• Actively contribute to converting supported startups into long-term VCLS clients following program completion 

Startup & Portfolio Development 

• Lead sourcing, evaluation and selection of startups. 

• Guide companies in regulatory strategy, clinical development and value creation. 

• Support fundraising readiness and investor engagement. 

• Monitor performance and outcomes across portfolio. 

Ecosystem Engagement & Representation 

• Develop strong relationships with biotech, pharma, investors, TTOs and academia. 

• Leverage the Swiss ecosystem to generate both BD opportunities and startup pipeline. 

• Represent Neighborhood in conferences, investor events, innovation hubs, and partner ecosystems, strengthening program visibility and influence.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

• Revenue growth and annual sales targets (Switzerland). 

• Pipeline size, quality and conversion rate. 

• Number of new clients acquired and key account growth. 

• Neighborhood metrics: number of startups supported, fundraising success, program satisfaction. 

• Ecosystem engagement: partnerships, events, visibility metrics. 

• Advanced degree (PhD, MSc or equivalent) in life sciences. 

• Significant experience in BD or consulting in life sciences. 

• Strong experience in biotech, pharma, medtech or digital health. 

• Strong knowledge of Swiss ecosystem (biotech, pharma, investors, TTOs, academia). 

• Proven leadership and team collaboration skills. 

• Strong communication, negotiation and strategic thinking abilities.