- About Ardena Bioanalytics
As the
Director, Bioanalytical Services / Business Unit Director (BUD), you will have full executive accountability for the success and growth of Ardena's Bioanalytical Business Unit in the United States. This role carries
end-to-end fiduciary responsibility, including ownership of
P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning, while leading scientific, operational, and commercial performance.
You will be responsible for
building, scaling, and leading a new U.S. bioanalytical laboratory, strategically leveraging Ardena's global capabilities to deliver sustainable growth, operational excellence, and exceptional customer value. The role requires a proven leader with experience
driving change, delivering results, and operating cross-functionally within complex environments.
As a member of the
Somerset Senior Leadership Team and the
Bioanalytical Division Management Team, you will contribute to enterprise-level strategy, integration, and long-term value creation across Ardena.
- Key Responsibilities
Business & Financial Leadership (Primary Focus)
- Hold full P&L accountability for the Bioanalytical Business Unit, including revenue performance, cost control, margin optimization, and financial outcomes.
- Lead annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-range planning, including OPEX and CAPEX.
- Develop and execute business strategies that drive sustainable growth, profitability, and return on investment.
- Establish and monitor financial, operational, and commercial KPIs, translating data into decisive action.
- Ensure disciplined financial governance, risk management, and compliance with corporate controls.
Operational & Scientific Leadership
- Build, launch, and scale the U.S. bioanalytical laboratory with strong scientific capability and operational excellence.
- Optimize capacity across people, processes, systems, and infrastructure to support growth.
- Ensure high-quality delivery of GLP and non-GLP bioanalytical studies.
- Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency aligned with business objectives.
People & Change Leadership
- Provide visible, inspiring leadership; coach, develop, and empower a high-performing leadership team.
- Drive organizational change, cultural alignment, and results in a fast-growing environment.
- Partner with HR on talent strategy, workforce planning, succession planning, and capability development.
- Build a strong performance culture aligned with Ardena's WE CARE values.
Commercial & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as the senior scientific and business representative for prospective and existing clients.
- Actively support the commercial cycle-from strategic opportunity assessment through proposal development and contract negotiation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Commercial, Quality, Finance, HR, IT, and other Ardena divisions to leverage capabilities, drive synergies, and enable cross-selling.
- Conduct market and competitive analyses to identify growth opportunities and guide strategic investments.
Required Competencies
Leadership & Influence
- Proven ability to lead senior teams, inspire performance, and deliver results through others.
- Demonstrated experience driving change in complex or growing organizations.
Strategic & Business Acumen
- Ability to think beyond the laboratory; align scientific capabilities with business strategy.
- Strong experience strategically leveraging internal and external capabilities.
Financial & Fiduciary Expertise
- Demonstrated P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making.
- Uses data and financial insights to guide strategy and execution.
Operational Excellence
- Deep understanding of bioanalytical operations, workflows, and compliance expectations.
- Strong planning, prioritization, and problem-solving capabilities.
Commercial Mindset
- Effective in customer engagement and translating scientific value into commercial success.
- Master's or PhD in (Bio)Chemistry, Analytical Sciences, or a related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or CDMO environment, including senior leadership roles.
- Proven experience leading teams, managing business performance, and driving growth.
- Strong knowledge of GLP requirements and bioanalytical development from preclinical through Phase I-III.
- Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-growing, and evolving business environment.
- A rapidly growing, internationally oriented company with a strong service portfolio.
- A dynamic environment with a transparent, direct, people-centered culture rooted in WE CARE.
- Opportunities to innovate, lead, and make a meaningful impact on global health.
- Competitive compensation, including a bonus incentive plan.
- Flexible working hours.
- Candidates must be willing to relocate at their own expense.
Salary Range: $185,000 - $ 200,000
Department Bioanalytical Laboratory Locations Somerset (New Jersey, US)
