About The Role
CDP designs and develops point-of-care, home and lab-based in vitro diagnostics (IVD) systems and life science tools for some of the world's leading diagnostics and life-sciences companies, developing innovative products from early-stage concept, through to product launch.
The role of Commercial Lead - Life Sciences involves supporting the Head of Life Sciences and Operational Lead in growing and nurturing the Life Sciences sector team. This role is responsible for generating new leads, new business, growing accounts in existing business, and delivering high-quality project work to support this. The Commercial Lead, along with the Operational Lead, will represent Life Sciences and lead by example by fulfilling the roles of Sales Leader, Client Manager, and Project Leader as the work requires.
The role will involve regular travel for client meetings and conferences, including local and international travel.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Sales and Delivery
- Contribute towards growth objectives agreed with the Head of Life Sciences
- Work with the Head of Life Sciences and the wider team to identify, qualify, and maximize opportunities
- Manage lead engagement through pitched presentations, workshops, and tailored outreach, reinforcing CDP’s value through evidence-based positioning and success narratives
- Drive opportunity-to-contract progression by shaping proposals, refining value propositions, and negotiating terms in collaboration with internal stakeholders
- Act as a Client Manager for selected accounts within Life Sciences
- Support Client Managers in delivering and growing client accounts
- Maintain the CRM, and attend Life Sciences sales meetings
- Upskill project teams to quickly understand client challenges
Strategy & Planning
- Contribute to the long-term growth strategy of the sector both internally and externally
- Develop and execute account growth plans for designated clients
- Identify key market trends and client needs to inform marketing campaigns and thought leadership
- Represent the sector at industry events to build market presence and client relationships
Marketing
- Identify key market themes and client challenges to inform marketing priorities
- Collaborate with the Head of Life Sciences and marketing team to design and execute targeted campaigns
- Develop compelling sales materials, proposals, case studies, and thought leadership content
- Develop plans for conferences and participate at industry specific events
- Coordinate sector representation at industry events, conferences, and webinars
- Partner with marketing to track campaign performance and refine strategies for lead generation
- Maintain market intelligence to ensure messaging reflects current trends and opportunities
Capability Collaboration
- Partner with the Head of Life Sciences and Operational Lead to align sector capabilities with market opportunities
- Coordinate with Capability Leads on training priorities, hiring needs, and skills development
- Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers and strategic partners
About You
To succeed in this role you will be able to demonstrate the following:
Skills And Attributes
- Expert knowledge in the in vitro diagnostics and life sciences market and landscape, able to understand specialist technologies and applications to help identify compelling opportunities for CDP and clients.
- Expertise designing systems that implement complex biochemical assays; able to navigate the technical, user and cost trade-offs to develop ‘well balanced’ products.
- Leadership and communication skills to empower the team and drive £multi-million development projects efficiently and effectively towards well-defined goals.
- Creative and highly technical ability in many of the following areas: concept generation of consumables and reader systems; assay implementation, prototyping techniques, detail design; design of experiments; design for high volume manufacture, IVD V&V.
- Familiar with industry regulations IVDR, MDR and standards ISO 13485, 21CFR part 820 and ISO14971;
- Comfortable presenting to clients and groups, with confident, clear and compelling communication style.
- Confident working in a fast-paced consultancy environment.
Experience And Education
- Degree-level education in relevant subject such as Mechanical Engineering, Physics or Natural Sciences.
- Career experience at medical or in vitro diagnostic device or life science tools companies, ideally having played a significant role in product launch of an in vitro diagnostic device. Alternatively, experience at a product /technology development consultancy working in the same field.
- Track record of planning and leading £multi-million development projects, taking responsibility for quality, time, and cost.
- Proven experience in account management activities, acting as technical lead in sales meetings, proposal writing and presenting.
About Us
Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) is an end-to‑end innovation partner, propelling global brands and ambitious start‑ups to success. We build breakthrough products and services – from insight to ideas, prototypes to production – bringing innovation to life. Our teams are multi‑disciplinary, uniting scientific rigor, design ingenuity, and engineering excellence for consumer and healthcare clients. People‑centred, deeply collaborative, and – above all – expert, we’re uniquely positioned to shape the future for consumers, patients, and industry. Even our ownership model is innovative: We’re 100% owned by our employees, ensuring an open culture and a total commitment to our projects’ success.
As part of our benefits package, we offer:
- flexible working
- a discretionary bonus
- excellent learning and development opportunities
- a 12% non‑contributory pension
- private healthcare
- electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme
- share incentive plan
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
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