SVP Regional Head of Sales, APAC

Senior Vice President (SVP), Regional Head of Sales – APAC

Location: Europe (must reside near one of our European sites)
Travel: Quarterly travel to the APAC region, or for business needs.

The Mandate

This is not a maintenance role.

We are looking for a highly experienced, commercially driven executive to own, build, and scale our APAC business. As SVP, Regional Head of Sales – APAC, you will be given the autonomy and accountability to define regional sales strategy, build the sales organisation, and deliver sustained commercial growth across one of the most strategically important global markets.

For the first 12 months, your core focus will be Commercial Leadership & Strategy: setting direction, establishing priorities, targeting the right territories, and laying the foundations for long-term success.

This role is suited to a senior CRO/CDMO leader with deep APAC knowledge, strong cultural fluency, and the confidence to operate with both corporate discipline and entrepreneurial drive.

Role Overview

As a senior member of the global commercial leadership team, you will be responsible for driving sales growth and leading the APAC sales organisation, promoting end-to-end discovery and pre-clinical development services.

You will initially lead a small team (2 FTE) with a clear mandate to build, scale, and professionalise the regional sales organisation over time.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Regional Strategy (Primary Focus – Year 1)

• Define and execute a robust APAC regional sales strategy aligned with global commercial and corporate growth objectives.

• Assess market dynamics, competitive landscape, and client demand to determine where to play and how to win across the region.

• Establish regional priorities, territory focus, and go-to-market models.

• Position Evotec’s scientific capabilities and value proposition to maximise market penetration and share.

• Build the regional commercial framework, operating rhythm, and performance standards.

Sales Growth & Execution

• Full ownership of regional sales targets, pipeline health, forecasting accuracy, and revenue delivery.

• Drive disciplined pipeline management, opportunity qualification, pricing strategy, and complex contract negotiations.

• Lead and support high-value proposals and bid defences for strategic, multi-service programs.

• Identify and convert new business opportunities across biotech, pharma, and emerging biopharma clients.

Client Leadership & Strategic Partnerships

• Build and sustain senior-level and C-suite relationships with key regional clients.

• Act as executive sponsor for priority accounts, ensuring long-term partnerships, client satisfaction, and growth.

• Develop multi-year regional and account strategies in close collaboration with KAM, Operations, and Executive Leadership.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Commercial, Operations, Project Management, Finance, and Legal to ensure aligned, high-quality delivery of customer solutions.

• Contribute as a core member of the Global Sales Leadership Team, ensuring consistency in messaging, pricing, and service offerings.

• Support the launch and commercialisation of new service lines across APAC.

Building the Organisation

• Recruit, lead, and develop a high-performing APAC sales organisation.

• Build a strong leadership and succession pipeline.

• Drive a culture of accountability, performance, and commercial excellence.

• Represent Evotec externally at industry conferences, events, and senior client engagements.

Experience & Profile

Required Experience

• 15+ years’ commercial experience within the life sciences sector.

• 7+ years in a senior leadership role within a CRO, CDMO, or CRDMO environment.

• Proven experience building and executing regional growth strategies.

• Strong background across discovery and development services.

• Demonstrated experience working in or supporting the APAC region, including regional strategy development and service delivery.

• Established understanding of cultural, commercial, and market nuances across APAC.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, or related discipline (required).

• MBA or advanced scientific degree (preferred).

Languages

• Advantageous: Chinese, Japanese, Mandarin, or Korean.

Leadership & Competencies

• Senior executive presence with strong influencing capability.

• Strategic, analytical thinker with strong financial and commercial acumen.

• Proven ability to close complex, high-value deals.

• Deep understanding of operational, scientific, and regulatory drivers.

• Entrepreneurial mindset combined with strong corporate governance and discipline.

• Ability to build teams, develop talent, and lead through change.

• Results-Driven Mindset

• Client Partnership Excellence

• Market Insight & Competitive Awareness

• Change Leadership

• Talent Development & Coaching

Location & Travel

• Based within the region (Europe or APAC).

• Requires frequent travel (~40%) to client sites, conferences, and internal meetings.

Why Join Us?

This is a career-defining role as a senior, high-impact leadership for a senior commercial leader ready to fully own and develop the APAC region. You will have the autonomy, backing, and mandate to build something meaningful, shaping strategy, teams, and long-term growth in one of the most dynamic life sciences markets globally.

You will shape the APAC commercial strategy, build the organisation, and play a defining role in Evotec’s global growth. A proven leader, someone ready to step in, take control, and build something enduring.

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.