Senior Business Development Manager - Engineering Biology

Senior Business Development Manager - Engineering Biology

• Full-time
• Work Arrangement:
  Hybrid
• Department:
  Commercial

LGC's National Laboratories deliver a range of expert science functions and services in partnership with the UK Government, business, healthcare, and academia. We manage and operate several national laboratories on behalf of government agencies, such as the UK National Measurement Laboratory (NML), MHRA Laboratories Team and National Reference Laboratories, as well as hosting the unique function of the 'Government Chemist'.

As home to many world-leading scientists, LGC's National Laboratories provide a wide range of expert analytical science services and subject matter expertise to a broad spectrum of customers, stakeholders, and global forums. In addition, we undertake contract research and development projects for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors. Our work addresses fundamental and emerging measurement challenges, helping to foster innovation and promoting productivity and economic growth.

Job Purpose

Science underpins the National Measurement Laboratory (NML) business, and growing our business is essential to unlocking its value and supporting future commercial success. This is an outstanding opportunity to lead in the Engineering Biology (Eng Bio) field, where you can make a real difference by promoting growth and strategic focus for a world-class organization.

Job Role

Work alongside the Commercial Director and the Commercial and Contract Management team to promote growth and value, initially focusing on the Engineering Biology (Eng Bio) sector. Lead engagement with interested parties, build credible consortia, manage and attend relevant events, and develop and submit high-quality, strategically aligned, and competitive funding proposals. This role is vital to the effective rollout of our business development strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborator Engagement & Relationship Management

• Map and actively manage relationships across academia, industry, government, and regulators
• Act as a central coordination point for Eng Bio partners and collaborators (Eng Bio network)
• Support the development of new strategic partnerships aligned with national priorities
• Support engagement with funders (e.g., UKRI, DSIT, Innovate UK, EU).

Consortia Building & Partnership Development

• Find opportunities and bring together multidisciplinary consortia for funding calls that align with NML's strategic goals and main research priorities, especially within the Engineering Biology field
• Facilitate alignment of technical and commercial components through coordination of inputs from internal teams and external partners
• Maintain a pipeline of partnership-led opportunities.

Proposal Development & Funding

• Take charge of drafting and coordinating top-tier proposals (UKRI, DSIT, OGDs, NIHR, EU or similar)
• Translate technical concepts into compelling, fundable narratives
• Manage timelines, inputs, and compliance requirements
• Support costing, partner contributions, and submission processes
• Track funding opportunities and agreed performance indicators.

Events, Visibility & Engagement

• Plan, join, and coordinate Eng Bio events, workshops, and collaborator meetings (Eng Bio network), in line with financial constraints
• Support preparation of panel discussions, conferences, strategic discussions, and government feedback
• Ensure strong differentiation and external visibility of NML in the Eng Bio field
• Capture, communicate, and proactively follow up opportunities arising from events.
• Maintain a structured pipeline of high-quality opportunities, assessed against strategic fit, partner strength, technical credibility, funding potential, and likely impact
• Provide regular reporting on activity, conversion, and impact
• Support strategic prioritization and decision-making.

Post Award

• Support Head of Contracts in negotiation of contractual terms (e.g., Grant Agreements, Consortium Agreements)
• Lead post-award compliance and reporting activities to ensure adherence to award Terms and Conditions - including cost eligibility, reporting, and audit.
• Success Measures
• Quality of consortia formed and number of strategically-aligned…