Director of Global Business Development – Agriculture

About Us Oxitec is the world’s first and largest global biological engineering platform for the development of safe, sustainable solutions to the world’s most significant pests that spread disease or threaten food security. We’re made up of a team of passionate, committed individuals around the world who work with deep integrity, collaboration, and urgency to have an impact.  Whilst what we do relates to developing and deploying groundbreaking pest control technologies to solve big challenges, our organisation is focused on building trust with those we seek to serve, and with whom we partner to develop the next generation of pest control.   All candidates for all Oxitec positions must be committed to Oxitec’s values and principles. We foster a culture of trust, respect, creativity, and accountability. Click here to read about trust and about our principles, and click here to read our CEO’s blog on trust and our corporate culture.  Purpose of the Role Oxitec is at the forefront of advancing ground-breaking solutions to save lives and improve livelihoods globally. We’re now growing our agricultural technology pipeline and are seeking an experienced, dedicated, and passionate individual to build and lead growing BD efforts to secure new strategic partnerships, prepare commercial plans and platforms for early-stage technologies, and to help launch products that are in later stages of development. You will serve as part of the global commercial leadership team, and work to bring in new collaborations and technology partnerships, develop strategic commercial plans for launching in new markets, and generally support the organization’s efforts to build, advance, and launch products in key markets.   You will have a proven track record of developing and managing strategic partnerships, securing collaboration agreements, developing effective go-to-market campaigns for innovative agricultural products and building sales organizations to serve important markets. You will also have had experience in start-ups, working in early-stage technology programs, securing new strategic partnerships and funding, and generally operating in a start-up like environment.  As Oxitec is a fast-moving start-up-like organization, you will have significant experience in all supporting efforts to advance the mission, including helping with regulatory engagements, leading market analysis and mapping new markets, developing and nurturing commercial networks, developing marketing campaigns and generally rolling up sleeves to generate commercial success for Oxitec’s solutions in development. This position will focus on both the securing of new strategic partnerships for new and existing Oxitec solutions and preparing for regulatory approvals and the launch of our first commercial agricultural product in LATAM.  NOTE: This role is global in nature but will focus initially on LATAM and APAC, with a near-term focus on Brazil and neighbouring countries, and on laying the groundwork for market access in APAC. You can live anywhere, assuming you can travel and that you can work to accommodate US and UK time zones.   Responsibilities  Scout, secure and manage new strategic partnerships with agricultural market leaders for the development of new Oxitec solutions.Actively seek and close equitable and sustainable strategic partnerships via direct, distribution, and licensing formats as appropriate, for existing Oxitec solutions in its pipeline. Develop and manage commercial strategies for each of Oxitec’s agricultural solutions in development.Support and guide regulatory affairs for emerging Oxitec solutions in key markets in pursuit of commercial approvals.Establish and manage go-to-market campaigns for Oxitec solutions post-approval in key markets.Develop and manage robust distribution networks for Oxitec products in key markets.Conduct market analysis, set and manage segment pricing and commercial policies for all channels, create sales forecasts, and manage to commercial targets clearly and consistently.Generate and manage a diverse sales pipeline and funnel process as commercial operations launch.At the stage needed, manage a well-organized S&OP process, bringing along all internal stakeholders in Operations, Business Development, Commercial, Marketing, and CX, etc.Collaborate closely and positively across the Oxitec ecosystem in pursuit of successful R&D collaborations and go-to-market efforts and eventual launch of products.Build a team in key geographies as and when needed.Work closely with the company’s product development, R&D, Ops, Reg, Comms and other teams to help tailor our products and services to customer’s needs and to gain market access.Maintain flexibility and a service mindset at all times in support of Oxitec’s mission, being willing to carry out any and all functions necessary to secure new partnerships, develop successful agricultural solutions, and advancing those solutions to successful market launches.Operate with excellence while coaching and mentoring others to do so.  Skills, Experience, and Education Requirements 10+ years of demonstrated success in senior leadership in business development roles in the agricultural industry, with a focus on new product development, early-stage commercial planning, and the securing of new strategic partnerships.Experience in start-ups, early-stage technology companies or with early stage technologies.Demonstrated ability to forge strategic partnerships with market leaders for the development of new technologies or for advancing products to market.Experience developing or managing lines of business in diverse agricultural markets.Significant experience in developing and executing new and innovative product launch campaigns, including strategy, channel marketing, advertising and sales, product label development, and related components.Leadership experience hiring and developing teams to lead regional or national commercial launches.Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing commercial distribution and licensed sales models.Proven experience generating and managing significant commercial revenues and operations in market.Excellent written, presentation and reporting skills.Mastery of sales tools, resources and software and practices to help support a growing commercial operation from the ground up (no task too small for Oxitec leaders!).Fluency English, with proficiencies in Spanish, Portuguese a plus.Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required by the mission.  Behavioural Requirements Commitment to, and passion for, the Oxitec mission.A deep commitment to Oxitec’s values and principles, and to building trust and working with integrity at all times.Highest degree of personal accountability and self-starting.Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced and collaborative culture.Self-driven to attain goals and objectives and ability to operate with little instruction.High degree of a “get it done” start-up mentality, with no task too small or too large.Self-starter, fast-thinking and fast-moving, working both independently and also in teams.Responsive to the needs of an international business working across different time zones and adapting working patterns in-line with business requirements.Excellent communications and negotiation skills centred on respect, transparency, and integrity.Resilience in an environment of rapid growth and change.Positive, kind, empathetic, co-operative, and professional always, demonstrating a commitment to positive leadership, strong teamwork, and open collaboration.