Key Account & Business Development Manager

Job Description
Are You Ready to Make an Impact at RSSL?
Join Our Mission to Transform Lives Through Science, Innovation and Collaboration
At Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), we lead the way in scientific analysis, research, consultancy, and training. We provide services to the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries, as well as our parent company, Mondelez International.
We are not just dedicated to delivering world-class scientific solutions and outstanding customer service, we are recognised for it. We were named Best Performing Professional Services Company of the Year (2025) at the One Nucleus Awards and CRO of the Year at the OBN awards. We were also finalists for multiple recent multiple awards recognising our commitment to skills and rising talent.
If you are passionate about driving innovation and making a real impact, RSSL is the place for you!
Purpose:
In RSSL we work together as a specialist scientific consultancy providing analysis, consultancy, product development and training to the global food, drink, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
We are seeking a highly motivated and commercially astute consultative sales professional to join our team. This role will focus on building strong relationships with pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations, identifying their training and consultancy needs, and delivering tailored solutions that drive value.
You will be responsible for both managing inbound opportunities and proactively developing new business within target accounts. Success in this role requires a consultative, solution-focused approach, strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, and the ability to position our training and consultancy services as trusted solutions to client challenges.
Primary Accountabilities / Responsibilities:
Client Engagement & Account Management

• Respond to inbound leads, qualifying opportunities and converting them into sales.
• Build long-term, trust-based relationships with clients through a consultative approach.
• Identify client challenges, regulatory requirements and skill gaps, proposing tailored training and consultancy solutions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for new customers, ensuring service excellence, high customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Keep the CRM system current and precise to enable reliable forecasting, effective pipeline management and alignment across sales and marketing.

Consultative Sales & Solution Design

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to scope and design bespoke training and consultancy offerings.
• Deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and solution demonstrations.
• Negotiate contracts and close deals in line with company goals.

Market & Industry Insight

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulatory frameworks, and client challenges.
• Provide feedback to internal teams on evolving client needs and competitive activity.

Business Development

• Research, identify, and engage with new pharmaceutical and biotech clients.
• Drive proactive outreach campaigns to expand market presence and generate new opportunities.
• Develop strategic key account plans to achieve sales growth targets.
• Review and attend suitable events and conferences to promote RSSL training and consultancy services.
• Work closely with the Commercial Life Sciences team of RSSL, developing and executing a strategy for cross functional sales

QEHS

• Work to the highest safety and quality standards, ensuring that relevant risk assessments and SOPs are followed on- and off-site.
• Assist in completing assigned quality actions in a timely manner.
• Help maintain a clean, tidy, and safe working environment.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with the sales and marketing requirements of relevant approvers and regulators, such as IRCA and RSC.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Language Requirements:

• Proven track record in consultative or solution-based sales, ideally in professional services, training, consultancy, or the pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, including regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional communication, listening, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a sales pipeline from prospecting through to closing.
• Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Self-motivated, target-driven, and able to work independently while collaborating across teams.

• Educated to Degree or PhD in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience in a laboratory.
• Formal sales training or certifications (e.g., consultative/solution selling methodologies) is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of pharma quality and accreditation systems (GMP/UKAS/IRCA/RSC)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to network with external clients and internal teams.
• Meticulous attention to detail, well organised and strong team working ethos. Able to organise own work to maximise output
• Ability to deliver projects/work within tight timescales
• Technical credibility to develop good working relationships with internal and external clients.
• Project management and planning skills, able to manage project teams and lead resourcing allocation.
• Computer literate in standard MS office applications
• Extended experience of working in relevant area
• Experience of working for, or with, a training organisation
• Good knowledge of sales process and methodology
• Experience managing and reporting on data within a sales CRM (e.g. Salesforce or equivalent)
• English fluency (written and spoken)

More about this role
In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business that offers financial rewards and resources, including:

• Opportunities to learn and develop
• Performance Related Bonus scheme
• Contributory pension (between 8% to 11% employer contribution)
• Life assurance
• Private Medical (Self)
• 27 days holiday allowance (possibility to buy 5 extra days) + bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A flexible benefits programme (Gym discounts, private health insurance, restaurant discounts, etc).

No Relocation support available
Business Unit Summary
Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) is a cutting-edge contract research organisation (CRO), providing research, analysis and consultancy to the food, consumer goods and life science sectors. Whether we are creating new products, validating medicines or solving investigations, we take pride in being a leader in our field, serving clients from across 70 countries. Enriched by our parent company, Mondelēz International, our team are committed to transforming lives through science, innovation and collaboration.
Curious about us and want to learn more?
Please explore: Website YouTube LinkedIn Glassdoor
RSSL is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#RSSL
Job Type
Regular
Commercial RSSL
Science & Engineering