Business development director - europe

Surmodics is pursuing highly differentiated medical devices that are designed to address unmet clinical needs and engineered to the most demanding requirements. This key growth strategy leverages the combination of the Company’s expertise in proprietary surface technologies, along with enhanced device design, development and manufacturing capabilities. The Company mission remains to improve the detection and treatment of disease.
The Business Development Director – Europe plays a critical leadership role in driving strategic growth for Surmodics across Central and broader European markets. This individual is responsible for identifying, developing, and closing new business opportunities, with a primary focus on expanding adoption of Surmodics’ advanced surface modification technologies and specialty polymer development capabilities.
This role serves as the senior commercial leader and primary customer interface for European medical device companies, particularly in early-stage feasibility, product development, and scale-up programs. The Director will proactively originate and convert new opportunities by engaging R&D, engineering, and executive stakeholders within target accounts, positioning Surmodics as a strategic partner for hydrophilic coatings, drug delivery technologies, and custom polymer solutions.
The Business Development Director will lead the full commercial lifecycle, from market development and prospecting through contract execution, while collaborating cross-functionally with technical, operations, and legal teams across global locations. This role requires a highly proactive, externally focused leader who can independently build pipeline, shape customer demand, and accelerate revenue growth.
This role is open to European remote locations. In Europe, we have offices in Galway, Ireland and Copenhagen, Denmark. If located within reasonable proximity of one or our European offices, some onsite presence would be preferred. This role offers the flexibility of working remotely combined with opportunities to travel across Europe and to our organizations’ offices.
Responsibilities
Strategic Growth & Business Development

Own and deliver regional revenue growth by actively developing and executing a European business development strategy aligned with Surmodics’ corporate objectives.
Proactively identify, target, and secure new business opportunities with medical device OEMs, with an emphasis on interventional markets (cardiovascular, neurovascular, structural heart, and peripheral).
Build, manage, and convert a robust pipeline through disciplined outbound prospecting, industry engagement, and strategic account penetration.
Position Surmodics as a preferred partner by aligning technical capabilities (coatings, polymers, drug delivery) with evolving customer needs.

Customer Engagement & Deal Leadership

Serve as the senior commercial lead and primary point of contact for key European customers, establishing trusted relationships at technical and executive levels.
Lead complex sales cycles from initial engagement through feasibility, development, and commercial agreement.
Drive customer engagement strategies that move opportunities from early-stage feasibility to long-term production partnerships.
Negotiate commercial terms, contracts, and strategic agreements in coordination with legal and executive stakeholders.

Technical Solution Positioning

Translate customer needs into tailored solutions by leveraging Surmodics’ capabilities in:
Hydrophilic and specialty coatings
Polymer development and formulation
Process scale-up and manufacturing support
Partner closely with internal R&D and engineering teams to shape compelling technical proposals and differentiated value propositions.
Guide customers through feasibility and prototype phases, ensuring alignment between technical outcomes and commercial objectives.

Commercial Execution & Operational Leadership (%)

Oversee the full opportunity lifecycle, including lead qualification, RFQ management, pricing strategy, and contract execution.
Ensure seamless coordination of prototype and feasibility programs, maintaining high responsiveness and customer satisfaction.
Provide leadership in NDA execution, contract negotiations, and internal approval processes.
Maintain accurate pipeline visibility and forecasting through CRM systems (Salesforce or equivalent).

Market Leadership & Insight Generation

Represent Surmodics at key European industry events, conferences, and customer engagements to build brand presence and generate demand.
Deliver actionable market intelligence, including competitive dynamics, customer needs, and emerging technology trends.
Influence internal strategy by serving as the voice of the European customer and market.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with global teams across business development, marketing, R&D, operations, and legal to deliver integrated customer solutions.
Drive alignment between U.S. and European teams to ensure consistent execution and customer experience.
Mentor and influence broader commercial and technical teams, contributing to organizational capability building.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) in engineering, life sciences, or business preferred.
8–12+ years of progressive experience in business development, sales, or commercial leadership within medical device, biomaterials, or specialty chemicals industries.
Demonstrated success in originating and closing new business within complex, technical B2B environments.
Strong experience engaging with medical device R&D, engineering, and executive stakeholders.
Deep understanding of interventional medical device markets (cardiovascular, neurovascular, structural heart, etc.).
Familiarity with coatings, polymer science, biomaterials, or related technologies strongly preferred.
Proven ability to lead long, consultative sales cycles involving technical and regulatory considerations.
Strong commercial acumen, including pricing strategy, contract negotiation, and deal structuring.
Experience working in global, cross-functional environments.
Fluent in English; additional European language proficiency (German, French, etc.) is a plus.
Highly self-directed, with the ability to operate independently while influencing internal and external stakeholders.
Willingness to travel up to 30–40% across Europe.

Surmodics offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a bonus program, and a defined Contribution Pension with employer match.
Surmodics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, civil status or members of traveller communities.
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