As life sciences organisations navigate increasingly complex transformation programmes, the need for strategic, high-impact talent has never been greater. Dan Jeffery, Sales Director at BioTalent, leads the contract and consulting division across Europe and the US, partnering with pharmaceutical, biotech and broader life sciences organisations to deliver scalable talent solutions for critical initiatives. In this spotlight, he shares the trends shaping the market, what drives demand, and the mindset that has shaped his leadership approach.
Can you give us an overview of your role and your area of expertise at BioTalent?
I’m Sales Director at BioTalent, leading our contract and consulting division with a team focused on Europe and the US.
My focus is helping pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences organisations solve complex delivery challenges through high-impact talent. We specialise in placing consultants and contractors into critical programmes, including greenfield builds, digital transformation initiatives, remediation projects, clinical programmes and large-scale CapEx investments. Increasingly, that includes supporting Industry 4.0 transformation across manufacturing and quality environments.
My role centres on building strategic partnerships, developing scalable hiring models and leading a team that operates as genuine problem-solvers rather than transactional recruiters.
What trends are you currently seeing in the life sciences market, and which skillsets are in highest demand?
Two major trends stand out.
First, automation and digital manufacturing acceleration. There is continued demand for professionals who can design and implement new ways of working, augmented by AI and automation initiatives.
Second, more strategic hiring models. Companies are becoming increasingly deliberate in how they engage talent, whether permanent or interim. Rather than one-off hires, we’re seeing demand for structured contractor programmes, embedded teams and outcome-based solutions that create deeper, longer-term partnerships.
We’re also seeing a shift towards professionals who combine technical depth with strong stakeholder management, individuals who can operate within complex, global environments and bring clarity to high-pressure programmes.
What inspired you to specialise in life sciences recruitment?
Life sciences sits at the intersection of complexity, impact and innovation.
The programmes we support are not purely commercial exercises. They directly affect patient access to medicines and therapies, which brings a level of responsibility and purpose that I find compelling.
It’s also an industry where technical credibility matters. You cannot operate at a high level without understanding the detail behind the work. That depth attracted me early in my career, and it’s why I’ve remained in the space for over 12 years.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
That principle has stayed with me throughout my career. Talent and intelligence are valuable, but consistency, discipline and work ethic compound over time.
In recruitment, and in leadership, the people who succeed long-term are not always the loudest or the most naturally gifted. They are the ones who show up every day, refine their craft relentlessly and commit to continuous improvement. That mindset has shaped both how I approach performance and how I build teams.
If you weren’t working in recruitment, what career path might you have pursued?
As a child, I wanted to be a chef. While I still love to cook, and particularly to enjoy good food and drink, the more realistic answer is something entrepreneurial.
I’m naturally drawn to building, whether that’s teams, new service offerings or projects outside of work. I’ve always been interested in leadership, performance and psychology, so I suspect I would still have found myself in a role that blends commercial thinking with people development.
Want to find out how Dan Jeffery and the BioTalent team can support your business with life sciences talent solutions?
Get in touch today to find out more!