Business Development Associate

About Ardena

Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in precision medicine development. Ardena supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market.

The Ardena Group operates from five sites across Europe and the United States, employing more than 750 professionals. Ardena European sites are located in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), and Pamplona (Spain). Ardena US facility is based in Somerset, New Jersey.

For the Ardena Business Unit based in Somerset (US), we are looking for a [Job Title]

Ardena provides integrated services spanning drug substance development, drug product formulation, GMP manufacturing, bioanalytical services, clinical logistics, fill and finish, and CMC regulatory support.

Job Overview

Position: Business Development Associate

Department: Business Development

Location: Somerset (US)

Ardena is hiring a Business Development Associate to join the Sales and Marketing team at our Somerset site. This role supports pharmaceutical development and manufacturing activities within a GMP-regulated environment.

Role Description

The Business Development Associate is a junior commercial role (3–5 years experience) focused on new business hunting andlead generation. You will be the face of Ardena to support the BD team—building relationships, identifying new program opportunities, and driving outbound engagement to increase brand visibility.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in the field, enjoys meeting people, and is energized by uncovering new opportunities in the biotech ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Generation — Identify and qualify, early‑stage through late phase opportunities across biotech and pharma.

• Outbound Prospecting — Execute structured outreach via calls, email sequences, LinkedIn campaigns, and in‑person drop‑ins.

• Territory Travel — Travel up to 50% to visit prospects, attend events, and represent Ardena in person.

• Networking & Events — Attend local biotech meetups, innovation gatherings, and industry mixers to expand Ardena’s visibility

• Brand Awareness — Introduce Ardena’s integrated CRDMO services to new audiences and ensure consistent market messaging.

• Program Hunting — Actively seek out new development and manufacturing programs aligned with Ardena’s capabilities.

• Additional Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in a CDMO, biotech services, pharma outsourcing, or related scientific commercial role.

• Understanding of drug development workflows (analytical, CMC, manufacturing).

• Demonstrated success in outbound BD or territory development.

• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.

• Comfortable with frequent travel and in‑person engagement.

• CRM proficiency (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar).

• Self‑starter with a hunter mindset.

Preferred Skills

• Existing network within the industry.

• Experience attending or exhibiting at industry conferences.

• Ability to translate technical capabilities into commercial value.

• Strong LinkedIn outreach and digital prospecting skills.

What Success Looks Like

• Growth in CRM funnel.

• Increased Ardena visibility in assigned territory.

• Consistent outbound activity and networking presence.

• Strong collaboration with BD and marketing teams.

What Ardena Offers

Ardena is a science-driven and people-focused employer. Working at Ardena means contributing to pharmaceutical projects that support the availability, safety, and quality of medicines for patients worldwide.

Ardena offers an international working environment where employees are encouraged to develop their expertise, take ownership, and grow their careers across functions and locations.

Benefits and perks at Ardena include:

• Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)

• Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)

• International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites

• Access to professional development and training programs

• Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health

• A values-driven culture guided by Ardena’s CARE principles: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable, and Excellent

How to Apply

Ready to advance your career in pharmaceutical development? Apply now through the Ardena Careers website at careers.ardena.com.

 Annual Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000