Talent STEM Case Study

Delivering Two Key Hires in Commercial and Scientific Leadership for an Early-Stage Biotech CRO

Introduction

Talent STEM, a specialist scientific recruitment consultancy, was exclusively engaged by a UK-based early-stage biotech CRO to secure two critical hires: a Laboratory Manager and a Senior Business Development Manager. Both roles were essential to support operational and commercial scale-up after the client had struggled to attract suitable candidates through internal and traditional recruitment methods.

Through targeted, proactive search strategies, Talent STEM filled the Laboratory Manager role in just 14 working days and secured a commercially and strategically experienced Business Development professional.

Background

The CRO, focused on pre-clinical biotech services, originally planned to hire three roles: Commercial Manager, Senior Business Development Manager, and Laboratory Manager.

Following salary benchmarking, we advised consolidating the two commercial roles into one senior-level Business Development position with future progression to Head of Commercial. This provided access to higher-calibre talent within budget, ensured sustainable leadership growth, and ultimately reduced our own short-term fee potential in favour of long-term client success.

The revised hires were:

  • Laboratory Manager – to lead operations, manage a growing team, and deliver R&D projects.
  • Senior Business Development Manager – to drive revenue, manage client relationships, and shape commercial strategy with leadership potential.

The challenge lay not only in technical fit, but in finding candidates who could thrive in a dynamic, purpose-led start-up with ambitious growth plans.

Challenges

Laboratory Manager: Previous hiring attempts failed due to high salary expectations, unwillingness to work on-site, and cultural misalignment, delaying operations.

Senior Business Development Manager: Required a blend of scientific credibility, commercial capability, and leadership potential, scarce and highly competitive in the market.

Solutions

Laboratory Manager

We delivered a fast, targeted recruitment process:

Days 1–3

Detailed role briefing

Days 2-3

Targeted outreach to our network approaching passive candidates

Days 4-13

Screening and interviews

Days 14

Offer made and accepted

Senior Business Development Manager

A more strategic approach was taken:

Days 1–3

Role shaping to balance BD with future leadership growth

Days 3–7

Positioning the role to appeal to candidates seeking impact and progression

Day 3

Identified a standout local candidate with deep sector knowledge

Days 7–14

Managed a sensitive offer process balancing salary, flexibility, and equity

Day 15

Candidate secured despite strong counteroffers

Results

Speed

Both hires completed within two weeks.

Quality

Both exceeded expectations in capability, cultural alignment, and long-term potential.

Impact

Laboratory Manager stabilised operations; Senior BD Manager is driving revenue and shaping go-to-market strategy.

Conclusion

By aligning hiring strategy with market realities and prioritising sustainable impact over short-term gain, Talent STEM delivered two senior-level hires who are already contributing to the CRO’s growth.

For specialist recruitment in the chemical and life sciences sector, contact: info@talent-stem.com