Director, Business Development & Member Engagement

About Life Sciences Ontario

Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) is a membership-based organization dedicated to representing and advancing the province's dynamic and diverse life sciences sector. LSO works collaboratively with government, academia, industry players, and life sciences organizations throughout Ontario and Canada to foster commercial success within the sector. Its member base spans global companies, emerging ventures, investors, service providers, academic institutions, regional governments, individuals, and students. LSO is committed to innovative thinking to facilitate growth of its association and support the prosperity of Ontario's life sciences ecosystem.

Role Overview

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director of Business Development & Member Engagement spearheads the expansion of LSO's membership, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships. This position merges strategic growth initiatives with senior-level relationship management to drive sustainable revenue increases and deliver superior value to members. The role requires serving as a visible ambassador, building trusted networks with key stakeholders including CEOs, founders, executives, government officials, researchers, investors, and ecosystem partners in Ontario. Success is evaluated through revenue benchmarks and the development of enduring relationships that benefit both LSO and the provincial life sciences industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual and multi-year business development strategies aligned with LSO’s strategic goals and financial targets.
• Create and oversee a robust pipeline of prospective members, sponsors, partners, and other revenue channels.
• Manage end-to-end business development processes: prospecting, needs analysis, proposal writing, negotiating, closing, onboarding, and renewals.
• Identify emerging markets and earned revenue opportunities consistent with LSO’s values and mandate.
• Enhance LSO’s value proposition to both current and potential members, targeting growth especially outside the Greater Toronto Area.
• Lead member acquisition, onboarding, engagement, renewal, and reinstatement strategies jointly with the LSO team.
• Conduct regular outreach and engagement reviews to understand member priorities, demonstrate value, and uncover new prospects.
• Leverage member feedback and data analytics to improve programs, services, communications, and overall experience.
• Maintain an active LinkedIn presence showcasing member news, announcements, and events to boost visibility.
• Design and promote sponsorship and partnership programs linked to LSO’s initiatives, events, policy advocacy, and sector-building efforts.
• Prepare persuasive proposals, presentations, and partnership frameworks tailored to senior decision-makers.
• Negotiate agreements and coordinate internal teams to deliver on sponsorship and partnership commitments, timelines, budgets, and reporting mandates.
• Collaborate with the CEO, VP Business Operations, and other staff to build stakeholder relationships across government, academia, industry, investment, and regional partners.
• Represent LSO at conferences, sector meetings, and networking events to raise the organization's profile and secure new opportunities.
• Collect and analyze market intelligence from members, prospects, and the broader ecosystem to inform LSO’s advocacy, programming, and strategic planning.
• Monitor sector developments, competitive activities, funding sources, and stakeholder priorities likely to impact member value or revenue.
• Provide leadership with regular pipeline forecasts, risk assessments, and actionable recommendations.
• Set and track key performance indicators for membership growth, retention, sponsorship, partnerships, pipeline conversion, and engagement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with events, communications, policy, operations, and finance teams to ensure seamless member and partner experiences.

Qualifications and Competencies

• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in business development, sales, sponsorship, membership growth, strategic partnership, or related fields.
• Proven ability to cultivate relationships, build sales pipelines, and consistently achieve revenue and membership targets.
• Experience engaging with senior executives and decision-makers, with confidence to represent the organization at external forums.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of producing persuasive proposals, presentations, and executive correspondence.
• Strong skills in planning, negotiation, project management, and managing multiple concurrent opportunities.
• Commercial and financial expertise including forecasting, pricing strategy, value proposition design, contract management, and performance analysis.
• Proficiency using CRM platforms and productivity software, with a disciplined approach to maintaining data accuracy and reporting.
• Self-directed, collaborative working style compatible with a small, agile team environment where priorities can shift.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) with experience applying these principles in stakeholder engagement and business growth.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and vehicle, with readiness to travel regularly across Ontario and occasionally beyond for meetings and events.

Preferred Attributes

• Familiarity with Ontario and Canadian life sciences, healthcare innovation, commercialization processes, economic development, or public policy landscapes.
• Background in membership-based associations, nonprofits, professional services, economic development organizations, or ecosystem-building roles.
• Established networks spanning industry, academic, government, investment, innovation, or regional development sectors.
• Experience designing sponsorship programs, grant proposals, or developing novel revenue models.
• Post-secondary education in business, science disciplines, life sciences, public policy, communications, or equivalent combinations of education and professional experience.

Performance Metrics for First Year

• Develop and maintain clear business development and membership strategies, pipeline tracking, and reporting mechanisms actively used by the team.
• Achieve or surpass membership acquisition and retention goals, demonstrating measurable growth in key subsectors and regions.
• Increase sponsorship and partnership revenue through cultivation of multi-year, strategically aligned relationships.
• Enhance LSO’s visibility, influence, and strategic partnerships within the life sciences ecosystem.
• Improve CRM data integrity, revenue forecasting accuracy, and organizational visibility of member and partner commitments.
• Regularly translate market intelligence into actionable insights influencing LSO’s programs, advocacy, and communications.

Additional Information

• Location: Downtown Toronto office with hybrid work arrangements.
• Reports to: President & CEO.
• Travel: Frequent travel within Ontario required; occasional travel outside Ontario for conferences and meetings.
• Employment Type: Full-time, permanent position.
• Responsive scheduling needed outside normal office hours to support events and stakeholder engagement.

Workplace and Culture

LSO provides a competitive salary and benefits, with a collaborative and values-driven culture that embraces new ideas, diversity, and continuous improvement. The organization is committed to equity and inclusion, actively encouraging applications from historically marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, LGBTQ+ community members, persons with disabilities, and women. Accommodations are provided throughout the recruitment process as needed.