Associate Director, Strategic Marketing - BioPharma & CRO Solutions

About the role

Cell Signaling Technology (CST) is a life sciences company founded, owned, and run by active research scientists, with over 20 years of commitment to product and service quality, technological innovation, and scientific rigor. CST provides best-in-class products and services to researchers worldwide and is dedicated to responsible business practices, including membership in 1% for the Planet and a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2029.

The Associate Director, Strategic Marketing – BioPharma & CRO Solutions leads, manages, and expands CST's antibody-based product portfolio and services for BioPharma and CRO segments. This role leads a team of two — a Product Manager and a Product Marketing Manager — and partners closely with the Custom Solutions Lead. It owns the strategy, roadmap, and commercialization of custom and customized services (conjugation, mass spec services, format/buffer customization, antibody discovery and engineering) and builds the business case for expanding into new custom capabilities.

Reports to: Senior Director of Strategic Marketing

Team: Leads a Product Manager and a Product Marketing Manager; partners with Custom Solutions Lead

Segments covered: BioPharma and CRO (Contract Research Organization) customers

Responsibilities

• Market Strategy & Intelligence: Develop a deep understanding of BioPharma and CRO customer segments, quantifying segment size, growth drivers, and technology trends. Architect and execute a market research strategy — voice-of-customer interviews, surveys, advisory boards — to generate actionable insights that directly guide portfolio investment.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of two — a Product Manager and a Product Marketing Manager — setting clear goals and priorities, and fostering close collaboration with the Custom Solutions Lead to keep portfolio strategy and custom services execution tightly aligned.
• Portfolio Strategy & Expansion: Manage, expand, and maintain the roadmap for CST's antibody-based product portfolio supporting BioPharma discovery and clinical applications — spanning modality, workflow, platform, and disease area — building the business case for new portfolio additions. Own the end-to-end strategy, roadmap, and commercialization of CST's custom and customized services — conjugation, mass spec services, format/buffer customization, and custom antibody discovery and engineering — in partnership with the Custom Solutions Lead. Build and present data-driven business cases for expanding into new custom capabilities. Define pricing, contracting, and tiered service models appropriate for BioPharma and CRO buyers. Partner cross-functionally to ensure product supply and custom service capacity, SLAs, and delivery standards meet BioPharma and CRO expectations.
• Value Proposition Development: Own positioning and messaging of CST's reagent portfolio for BioPharma and CRO buyers, translating product value into propositions that resonate with these audiences' workflows and priorities. Develop segment-specific value propositions that account for the regulatory context, quality expectations, and procurement models distinct to BioPharma and CRO customers.
• Go-to-Market Execution: Direct the creation of campaigns, collateral, and sales tools that drive adoption of the portfolio and custom services among BioPharma and CRO buyers. Partner with MarComm to develop web, collateral, and campaign content that clearly communicates portfolio value to this segment. Architect and deliver sales and distributor training so commercial teams can confidently position the portfolio and custom services offerings. Define KPIs and report on the performance of segment-specific marketing and custom services commercialization to senior leadership.
• Customer Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with BioPharma and CRO customers and KOLs to validate messaging, gather field intelligence, and inform the custom services roadmap. Identify emerging needs surfaced through customer engagement, representing the voice of the BioPharma/CRO customer in cross-functional planning with R&D, Sales, and Operations.

Skills & Competencies

• Customer focus and a collaborative, team-oriented approach to work
• Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of building, coaching, and developing high-performing teams
• Deep technical expertise in antibody-based products and services, translated into clear portfolio and commercial decisions
• Strong portfolio performance management skills, with a data-driven approach to prioritization
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, comfortable simplifying complex scientific and commercial concepts for diverse audiences
• A commitment to quality and continuous improvement in how the portfolio is planned and delivered

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in life sciences (e.g., molecular biology, biochemistry) or a related field; MBA a plus
• 10+ years of experience in the life sciences industry, with hands-on experience using antibody-based products and services in an industry setting (BioPharma, CRO, or related)
• 5+ years of experience managing a portfolio, including proven experience managing a service portfolio (e.g., custom or contract services); experience with antibody-based reagents or related life science tools is a plus
• Experience managing or leading a team, ideally including product management or product marketing roles
• Direct BioPharma / CRO experience (working at, selling to, or partnering closely with BioPharma/CRO organizations)
• Experience with portfolio performance management, including revenue, margin, and lifecycle tracking
• Experience working with global sales channels and distributors
• Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to think outside the box
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Pay

Starting base salary range: $178,000 – $227,000 per year. Actual compensation within this range will be determined based on factors including relevant skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Benefits

CST provides a safe, inclusive, and stimulating working environment with a focus on diversity, human dignity, and meaningful work. Employees have impactful discussions with managers and develop actionable performance and professional development plans. The company supports engagement in committees and philanthropy benefiting local communities and the environment through community investment programs.

• Medical (BCBS) and Dental (Delta Dental) plans paid at 90%
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance, Short and Long Term Disability
• Flexible Spending accounts
• 401(k) Plan with 6% match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Generous PTO package
• Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Onsite Subsidized Cafeteria
• Free Parking