Associate Business Developer Life Sciences & Health - Job Opportunity at Catalyze

Duivendrecht, NL
Full-time
Entry-level
Posted: May 27, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 45,000 - 55,000 annually based on entry-level business development roles in the Netherlands life sciences sector, with potential for performance bonuses and rapid salary progression given the specialized nature of funding consultation

Benefits

Competitive salary package with performance-based bonus structure providing direct financial rewards tied to achievement and business impact
Permanent position pathway after successful one-year temporary appointment offering career security and long-term growth potential
8% holiday allowance providing additional financial compensation beyond base salary
27 annual vacation days supporting work-life balance and personal well-being
Comprehensive pension plan ensuring long-term financial security and retirement planning
Monthly working from home allowance supporting flexible work arrangements and remote work costs
Complete technology package including laptop and mobile phone enabling professional mobility and productivity
Lease bike plan promoting sustainable transportation and health benefits
Daily healthy lunch provision at office supporting wellness and reducing personal expenses
Structured professional growth path in sales with clear advancement opportunities
Comprehensive learning and development programs for continuous skill enhancement
Mentorship by experienced business developers providing direct knowledge transfer
Access to innovation networks and industry leaders expanding professional connections
Dynamic work environment with regular social activities fostering team collaboration and company culture

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic network expansion with innovative companies and academic leaders in Life Sciences and Health technology sectors to establish market presence and influence
Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of high-quality leads that convert into significant sales opportunities over extended timeframes
Position yourself as a trusted advisor in the Life Sciences and Health funding landscape to influence key decision-makers and industry stakeholders
Execute intensive prospecting and relationship building campaigns during initial months to establish market foothold
Conduct high-volume cold outreach to potential clients and industry experts to generate new business opportunities
Build comprehensive understanding of Life Sciences and Health sectors including drug development, medtech, and biotech to provide expert consultation
Support business development teams through qualified lead generation and relationship maintenance activities

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Life Sciences & Health related fields

Experience

Entry-level position suitable for recent graduates

Required Skills

Excellent communication skills Dutch language skills are a plus Networking abilities and the drive to continuously expand your professional circle High level of resilience and ability to maintain motivation in the face of frequent rejection Strategic thinking to identify and nurture high-potential leads for long-term success Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with both technical experts and business leaders Self-motivation and ability to work independently towards long-term goals Candidates with an entrepreneurial mindset are particularly encouraged to apply
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The Life Sciences and Health sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by digital health innovations, personalized medicine breakthroughs, and increased investment in biotechnology solutions following global health challenges. This expansion has created significant demand for funding consultation services as startups and academic institutions seek specialized guidance to navigate complex regulatory and investment landscapes. European innovation hubs, particularly in the Netherlands, are becoming increasingly attractive for life sciences ventures due to favorable regulatory environments, strong university partnerships, and government incentives for sustainable health technologies. This positioning creates substantial opportunities for business development professionals who can bridge the gap between innovative research and commercial funding. The convergence of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and medical devices is creating new market categories that require specialized knowledge of both technical capabilities and funding mechanisms. Companies like Catalyze are positioned to capitalize on this trend by providing expert guidance to ventures operating at these intersections.

Role Significance

Typically part of a small specialized team of 3-5 business developers working collaboratively on different sectors, with direct reporting to senior business development managers and regular interaction with founding partners
This is a foundational business development role designed as a career launching pad into the specialized life sciences funding consultation sector. While entry-level, the position carries significant responsibility for relationship building and lead generation that directly impacts company revenue and market position.

Key Projects

Building comprehensive databases of life sciences startups and academic research groups across European markets Developing outreach campaigns targeting specific innovation areas such as drug discovery, medical devices, and digital health platforms Supporting due diligence processes for potential clients by conducting market research and competitive analysis Participating in industry conferences and networking events to establish company presence and generate leads

Success Factors

Exceptional resilience and persistence in cold outreach activities, as success in this role requires maintaining motivation through high rejection rates while building relationships that may not yield immediate results but are crucial for long-term business development success. Deep curiosity and learning agility to quickly understand complex scientific innovations and their commercial potential, enabling effective communication with both technical researchers and business stakeholders across diverse life sciences sectors. Strategic relationship building capabilities that focus on long-term value creation rather than immediate sales results, requiring the ability to identify and nurture high-potential prospects through extended relationship development cycles. Strong networking instincts combined with systematic approach to lead management, ensuring that relationship building activities translate into measurable pipeline development and eventual business opportunities.

Market Demand

High demand driven by increased venture capital investment in European life sciences, government funding for sustainable health innovations, and the growing need for specialized consultation services in navigating complex funding landscapes

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Excellent communication skills are absolutely essential as this role requires effective engagement with diverse stakeholders ranging from technical researchers and university professors to business leaders and funding executives, each requiring different communication approaches and technical understanding levels. High resilience and motivation maintenance capabilities are crucial for success in this role, as business development in the funding consultation sector involves significant rejection rates and long relationship development cycles that can test persistence and emotional durability. Strategic thinking and long-term relationship nurturing abilities are fundamental to the role's success, as immediate sales results are explicitly not the primary success metric, requiring focus on building quality networks and pipelines that deliver value over extended timeframes.

Beneficial Skills

Dutch language proficiency provides significant competitive advantage in the Netherlands market, enabling deeper relationship building with local universities, research institutions, and startups that may prefer conducting initial discussions in their native language. Entrepreneurial mindset aligns with the company culture and client base, enabling better understanding of startup challenges and innovation commercialization processes that are central to the funding consultation business model. Academic or research background in life sciences sectors enhances credibility with scientific stakeholders and enables more sophisticated understanding of technical innovations and their commercial potential.

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge scientific research and commercial funding, providing exposure to breakthrough innovations that have potential to create new markets or disrupt existing industries.
Access to networks of world-leading scientific experts and entrepreneurial minds, offering unparalleled learning opportunities and professional relationship building that extends far beyond typical business development roles.
Focus on meaningful innovations addressing significant societal and environmental challenges, providing sense of purpose and impact beyond traditional commercial objectives.
Comprehensive recruitment process including video responses and skills assessments, indicating company commitment to finding candidates who align with their values and culture rather than just technical qualifications.

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior business development roles within 2-3 years, with potential advancement to management positions within 4-5 years given the specialized nature of the funding consultation sector and strong performance

Potential Next Roles

Senior Business Developer specializing in specific life sciences verticals such as biotechnology or medical devices Account Manager for major institutional clients including universities and research organizations Regional Business Development Manager covering broader European markets Sector Lead for emerging areas such as digital health or sustainable medical technologies

Company Overview

Catalyze

Catalyze operates as a specialized consultancy firm with over 20 years of experience in strategic funding consultation for innovation-driven companies. The company serves as an intermediary between groundbreaking research and commercial funding, working with world-leading experts and entrepreneurial minds developing cutting-edge innovations.

Established market leader in European innovation funding consultation with strong presence in Life Sciences, Green & Sustainable Innovations, and Deep Tech sectors, positioning the company as a trusted advisor to both startups and established organizations seeking strategic funding guidance.
Strategic location in Amsterdam-Duivendrecht provides access to one of Europe's most dynamic innovation ecosystems, with proximity to leading universities, research institutions, and venture capital firms that are key to successful business development activities.
Dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that values independence and self-development, with emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth. The company culture appears to support individual initiative while providing structured mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.
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