Discover the insights and experiences of Paige Kim, Associate Director, Business Development, R&DS as she sheds light on what it means to work in Business Development at IQVIA.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the life sciences and healthcare industry, the role of business development is pivotal. It's not only about making deals; it's about building relationships, understanding customer needs, and guiding the journey of drug development.

Recruiters, YoungEun Park and Yuanfei Zhang, interviewed Paige Kim, Associate Director, Business Development, R&DS in Korea, to understand what it is like to be at the forefront of this dynamic field.

Discover the insights and experiences that shed light on what it means to work in Business Development at IQVIA.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY FROM PHARMACY TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

My story began in the world of pharmacy, where I honed my skills and knowledge for two years in South Korea. However, the allure of exploring the business side of the industry was too strong to resist. Over a decade ago, I made the leap to IQVIA, starting as a proposal developer. The role was both challenging and rewarding, and was my first experience working in a truly international environment, collaborating with colleagues across the globe.

CAN YOU SHARE A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES?

As an Associate Director, my responsibilities are multifaceted. I support Korean pharmaceutical and biotech companies throughout their drug development journey.

The sales cycle is a meticulous process, beginning with identifying and engaging a potential customer, understanding the customer needs and requested services, and developing proposals that resonate. If our proposal is well-received, the final step is to prepare and lead a bid defense meeting, showcasing why IQVIA is the ideal partner for their project. If selected, we move onto contracting and sales cycle is closed. The process can be lengthy, often spanning several weeks to months, but the satisfaction of closing a deal is immeasurable.

Aside from interacting with external customers, internal collaboration with various cross functional teams around the globe is equally important. The great thing about working at IQVIA is you have the chance to work with so many different teams and learn new ways of doing things.

WHAT ARE THE KEY SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT?

In the fast-paced world of business development, adaptability is of great significance.

• Quickly react to unexpected twists and turns.
• Stay focused on the goal and embrace new ideas.
• Be open to help and connect with different teams, as in turn, they are always ready to lend a hand.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT？

My proudest moments come when our external customers acknowledge the difference IQVIA makes in the proposal and bidding process. When they tell me I have made their partner selection journey easier, it's a testament to the value we bring. Something equally valuable and satisfactory is when my colleagues tell me they enjoy working with me!

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION IN YOUR WORK?

Each opportunity and project is unique, and the learning curve is steep. The energy that comes from working with multi-disciplinary, global teams and the support we provide each other is what keeps me motivated. The positive vibe within the team is the driving force that propels us towards our shared goals.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS

For those looking to pursue a career in business development, especially in the clinical research industry, it's an exciting field. You'll be at the intersection of cutting-edge research and development technology, working with experts to provide the best solutions for drug developers. If you're a goal-oriented person, and thrive on new challenges, IQVIA is the perfect career path for you.

Explore a business development role at IQVIA today.