Pharmaceutical

Overview

We’re Sector Experts In Pharmaceutical

Specialist Recruitment Across the Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmaceutical industry plays a vital role in advancing healthcare, developing new treatments and improving lives around the world. From drug discovery and clinical development to manufacturing and commercialisation, success depends on having the right people with the right expertise.

At Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS), we connect pharmaceutical organisations with specialist talent, while helping professionals discover rewarding career opportunities across the industry.

Our recruitment expertise spans research and development, clinical operations, pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, engineering, supply chain and commercial functions.

We understand the technical skills, regulatory requirements and challenges involved in recruiting for a highly specialised industry. Whether you're expanding your pharmaceutical workforce, recruiting for a business-critical position or looking to take the next step in your career, our consultants are here to help.

From individual permanent and contract appointments to senior leadership recruitment, we provide tailored solutions that support businesses and professionals throughout the pharmaceutical lifecycle.

Sector and Field Skills

Pharmaceutical Specialisms We Recruit For.

Scientific

Encompasses research and development of small molecules, formulations, and drug delivery systems. Emphasis on medicinal chemistry and pharmacology.

Clinical

Focuses on clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, ensuring drug safety and efficacy through all phases of clinical research.

Regulatory Affairs

Includes filing for product approval (e.g., ANDA, NDA, BLA), global regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management of pharmaceutical products.

Quality Assurance

Critical for GMP compliance, product quality, and regulatory audits, with an added emphasis on stability testing and product batch release in pharmaceuticals.

Engineering

Involves process engineering, facility design, and equipment optimization, particularly for large-scale production of small molecules and solid dose forms (e.g., tablets, capsules).

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Includes production and global distribution, with a focus on scale, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, often for high-volume generic or branded products.

Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance (PV)

Bridges scientific communication and post-market surveillance, ensuring drug safety through adverse event reporting and risk management. Also involves engaging Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), supporting product education, and communicating clinical outcomes to healthcare professionals.

IT/Data/Digital

Includes digital transformation, AI for drug discovery, and systems like LIMS and ERP for optimizing pharmaceutical operations and supply chains

Commercial

Covers product launches, market access strategies, sales, and marketing, with a stronger focus on navigating payer systems and healthcare pricing models.

Leadership

Strategic roles driving innovation, compliance, and commercial success in highly competitive and regulated markets.

Pharmaceutical Roles We Recruit For

With extensive knowledge of the Pharmaceutical market, we partner with organisations across specialist disciplines to identify the talent needed to support innovation, scientific progress and commercial growth.

Scientific

  • Tech Transfer Scientist
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Formulation Scientist

Clinical

  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Research Associate (CRA)
  • Clinical Trials Project Manager
  • Pharmacovigilance Specialist

Regulatory Affairs

  • Regulatory Affairs Manager
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Global Regulatory Strategist

Quality Assurance

  • Quality Assurance (QA) Manager
  • Validation Specialist
  • Quality Control (QC) Scientist
  • GMP Compliance Officer

Engineering

  • Facilities Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Automation Engineer
  • Packaging Engineer

Manufacturing & Supply Chain

  • Manufacturing Supervisor
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Production Planner

Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance (PV)

  • Medical Affairs Specialist
  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL)

IT/Data/Digital

  • Bioinformatics Specialist
  • Digital Transformation Lead
  • Data Scientist – Pharmaceuticals
  • ERP Systems Analyst

Commercial

  • Business Development Manager
  • Key Account Manager
  • Marketing Manager – Pharmaceuticals

Leadership

  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
  • Clinical Operations Director
  • Regulatory Affairs Director
  • Director of Regulatory Affairs

Other Roles

  • Toxicologist
  • Drug Safety Officer
  • Product Manager – Pharmaceuticals

What Our Clients and Candidates Say

We're proud to support organisations and professionals across the pharmaceutical industry, combining specialist knowledge with a personal approach to recruitment.

Hear from the clients and candidates who have worked with HRS and discover what they value about our team.

"Well done Debra and HRS"

Being exceptionally busy and with an urgent need to recruit, by coincidence or divine intervention and I'm not sure which, I was approached by Debra Fong of HRS to see if there was need for any recruitment by my company and if so could HRS be of service. Without wanting to waste time after a short phone call with Debra I acquiesced but knowing the skills in the advanced technologies from the ideal senior candidate were as rare as hen's teeth I sat back and started thinking of the wording I was going to have to use in the 'Situations vacant' section of the relevant specialist trade journals. Imagine my surprise when a couple of days later I had two CVs in my hands, one from a good candidate for the job, the other being quite exceptional. The latter not only experienced in everything I thought important but also it was quite clear the candidate would benefit greatly from joining us. A remarkable win-win situation. 

Sensor Technology Development Company

"Nothing is too much trouble and, even if it is, you never would know!"

I have worked with HRS for just over a year. Appreciate that the recruitment business is a very competitive market but have been extremely impressed leading up to and during my experience of doing business with the team. In particular, I acknowledge the commitment to personal service.

Leading Pharmaceutical Development Company

HR Manager

"Our first experience using HRS has been extremely successful"

Ben Hamlin has been exceptionally helpful, conscientious and passionate about finding the right employee to fill our vacancy. He is dedicated and reliable and always follows up on any commitments made. Ben has taken all the leg work out of sifting through hundreds of CVs and all the candidates who were interviewed had relevant experience and were suitable for the role. I would be happy to recommend HRS to anyone looking to recruit new staff, they really have been great!

Leading Life Science Company in the South East, UK

Head of Life Sciences

"I look forward to reaping the rewards of the high standards that Ricky has proposed to me and developing a long-term relationship with all at HRS."

I have just recently used Hyper Recruitment Solutions, with Ricky Martin as our main account manager. So far the recruitment process has been up to my standards, he has picked up the understanding of our business very quickly, which makes recruiting so much easier on my part. Although this has been a very short-term business partnership so far. 

Leading Biotechnology Company in the South East

HR Manager

"I highly recommend Ricky and the team at HRS. We have recently worked together to recruit our Director of Business Development and it's been the smoothest, fastest, and most simple recruitment at a senior level I've ever been involved in. We will definitely be using Ricky and the team again."

Anthony Nolan

Nic Alderson, CEO

"Working with Ricky Martin and Hyper Recruitment Solutions was an outstanding experience, resulting in one of the best hiring decisions I have made in years."

Their professionalism was evident throughout, from the high-quality candidates and insightful executive summaries to the timely management of the entire process. The feedback sessions following interviews were particularly valuable, supporting informed decision-making. Ricky and the team exceeded my expectations and played a key role in our hiring success. 

Charles River Laboratories

Eberhard Rank, EV VP of RMS

"As we grew and scaled, we knew we needed a Mass Spectrometry Scientist, but could not afford to provide a permanent contract until our Series A fund raise was achieved. HRS not only found us the perfect candidate, but also provided this candidate as a contractor, using a very easy to use contracting platform."

The HRS team supported us through lean and abundant times and always gave us fantastic candidates who fit the company brilliantly. These were not easy positions to fill, so a big thanks to HRS for the support!

Kinomica

Jane Theaker, CEO

"Working with Ricky Martin at HRS for my appointment as the VP of Manufacturing at TCR² Therapeutics, the company's first UK employee, was an exceptional experience. Ricky's deep understanding of the industry, combined with his genuine support throughout the process made all the difference."

He went beyond typical recruitment by offering tailored advice and insights, ensuring I was well-prepared for this pivotal role. Post-placement, Ricky continued to engage, showing his dedication to my ongoing success, especially with executive-level appointments. It has been a real pleasure working with Ricky over the years and getting to know him on a personal level and I highly recommend HRS for anyone seeking a recruitment partner who truly adds value. 

TCR² Therapeutics

Nigel Williams, VP of Manufacturing

"Well done Debra and HRS"

Being exceptionally busy and with an urgent need to recruit, by coincidence or divine intervention and I'm not sure which, I was approached by Debra Fong of HRS to see if there was need for any recruitment by my company and if so could HRS be of service. Without wanting to waste time after a short phone call with Debra I acquiesced but knowing the skills in the advanced technologies from the ideal senior candidate were as rare as hen's teeth I sat back and started thinking of the wording I was going to have to use in the 'Situations vacant' section of the relevant specialist trade journals. Imagine my surprise when a couple of days later I had two CVs in my hands, one from a good candidate for the job, the other being quite exceptional. The latter not only experienced in everything I thought important but also it was quite clear the candidate would benefit greatly from joining us. A remarkable win-win situation. 

Sensor Technology Development Company

"Nothing is too much trouble and, even if it is, you never would know!"

I have worked with HRS for just over a year. Appreciate that the recruitment business is a very competitive market but have been extremely impressed leading up to and during my experience of doing business with the team. In particular, I acknowledge the commitment to personal service.

Leading Pharmaceutical Development Company

HR Manager

"Our first experience using HRS has been extremely successful"

Ben Hamlin has been exceptionally helpful, conscientious and passionate about finding the right employee to fill our vacancy. He is dedicated and reliable and always follows up on any commitments made. Ben has taken all the leg work out of sifting through hundreds of CVs and all the candidates who were interviewed had relevant experience and were suitable for the role. I would be happy to recommend HRS to anyone looking to recruit new staff, they really have been great!

Leading Life Science Company in the South East, UK

Head of Life Sciences

"I look forward to reaping the rewards of the high standards that Ricky has proposed to me and developing a long-term relationship with all at HRS."

I have just recently used Hyper Recruitment Solutions, with Ricky Martin as our main account manager. So far the recruitment process has been up to my standards, he has picked up the understanding of our business very quickly, which makes recruiting so much easier on my part. Although this has been a very short-term business partnership so far. 

Leading Biotechnology Company in the South East

HR Manager

"I highly recommend Ricky and the team at HRS. We have recently worked together to recruit our Director of Business Development and it's been the smoothest, fastest, and most simple recruitment at a senior level I've ever been involved in. We will definitely be using Ricky and the team again."

Anthony Nolan

Nic Alderson, CEO

"Working with Ricky Martin and Hyper Recruitment Solutions was an outstanding experience, resulting in one of the best hiring decisions I have made in years."

Their professionalism was evident throughout, from the high-quality candidates and insightful executive summaries to the timely management of the entire process. The feedback sessions following interviews were particularly valuable, supporting informed decision-making. Ricky and the team exceeded my expectations and played a key role in our hiring success. 

Charles River Laboratories

Eberhard Rank, EV VP of RMS

"As we grew and scaled, we knew we needed a Mass Spectrometry Scientist, but could not afford to provide a permanent contract until our Series A fund raise was achieved. HRS not only found us the perfect candidate, but also provided this candidate as a contractor, using a very easy to use contracting platform."

The HRS team supported us through lean and abundant times and always gave us fantastic candidates who fit the company brilliantly. These were not easy positions to fill, so a big thanks to HRS for the support!

Kinomica

Jane Theaker, CEO

"Working with Ricky Martin at HRS for my appointment as the VP of Manufacturing at TCR² Therapeutics, the company's first UK employee, was an exceptional experience. Ricky's deep understanding of the industry, combined with his genuine support throughout the process made all the difference."

He went beyond typical recruitment by offering tailored advice and insights, ensuring I was well-prepared for this pivotal role. Post-placement, Ricky continued to engage, showing his dedication to my ongoing success, especially with executive-level appointments. It has been a real pleasure working with Ricky over the years and getting to know him on a personal level and I highly recommend HRS for anyone seeking a recruitment partner who truly adds value. 

TCR² Therapeutics

Nigel Williams, VP of Manufacturing

Success Stories

Our Pharmaceutical Success Stories

Anthony Nolan

Anthony Nolan
Case Study
7
candidates shortlisted, 5 candidates interviewed, 1 offered, and 1 on hold for future appointment
7 weeks
from search sign-off to completion.
9 weeks
from search sign-off to successful candidates starting.

Anthony Nolan, a leading life sciences charity with over 50 years of experience, has been saving lives through stem cell transplants since its founding by Shirley Nolan. Her vision has enabled the organisation to assist four patients daily. To advance their new contract service offering to the pharmaceutical industry and replace their previous business development head, Anthony Nolan enlisted HRS to help recruit a new Commercial Director.

The Challenges

  • Seeking a commercially savvy Commercial Leader with experience in private sector negotiations to support a team accustomed to working in a charitable environment.
  • Achieving this within the budget constraints of a charitable organisation.

Our Solution

  • Conducted a retained search to identify candidates in the CGT, Bioprocess, and CDMO sectors.
  • Signed off a robust milestone roadmap to keep all parties aligned and informed.
  • Direct interactions between the CCO & Head of People at Anthony Nolan with the CEO of HRS and resource team to address the technical,  strategic, and cultural requirements of the search.
  • HRS performed market benchmarking to assess the competitiveness of the compensation package.
  • Targeted market mapping, candidate outreach, and personalised service through the HRS network, both in person and online.
Nic AldersonCEO

I highly recommend Ricky and the team at Hyper. We have recently worked together to recruit our Director of Business Development and it’s been the smoothest, fastest and simplest recruitment at a senior level I’ve ever been involved in. We will definitely be using Ricky and the team again.

TCR² Therapeutics

TCR² Therapeutics
Case Study
16 people
compiled, shortlist of 6 presented, and 5 people interviewed
6 months
from sign-off to appointment (including an extended notice period)
15 additional appointments
made across multiple disciplines over the next 24 hours.

As a US-based therapeutics company, TCR was looking to expand its operations into Europe, establishing its first EU presence in the UK. Having selected the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult in Stevenage as the location for its new facility, TCR was introduced to Hyper Recruitment Solutions (HRS) following a recommendation from the Catapult's then Chief Business Officer (CBO).

The Challenges

  • Brand: Despite previous success in R&D and Process Development in the US market, TCR had little experience in the EU market. 
  • UK Business: Due to the organisations US heritage, TCR was used to US legislation, both in employability and governance. This role would require UK standards and compliance. 
  • GMP: To this point, very few companies were in GMP for Gene Therapy products. 

Our Solution

  • HRS provided a full service search process, as well as a high-level UK employability introduction to legislation.
  • We were able to market outreach and direct headhunt an EU-wide talent base.
  • Working closely with the TRC team in the US across different timezones to deliver a successful search. 
Nigel WilliamsVP of Manufacturing

Working with Ricky Martin at HRS for my appointment as the VP of Manufacturing at TCR² Therapeutics, the company's first UK employee, was an exceptional experience. Ricky’s deep understanding of the industry, combined with his genuine support throughout the process, made all the difference.


He went beyond typical recruitment by offering tailored advice and insights, ensuring I was well-prepared for this pivotal role. Post-placement, Ricky continued to engage, showing his dedication to my ongoing success. especially with executive-level appointments. It has been a real pleasure working with Ricky over the years and getting to know him on a personal level and I highly recommend HRS for anyone seeking a recruitment partner who truly adds value.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to common inquiries.

Career progression can involve developing deeper technical expertise, gaining experience in new therapeutic areas or moving into management and leadership. Understanding which skills employers value is a useful starting point. Our specialist consultants can help you explore pharmaceutical career opportunities and identify positions that support your longer-term goals.

Pharmaceutical recruitment can be challenging, particularly when roles require specialist technical knowledge or experience in regulated environments. Working with a specialist recruitment agency gives employers access to industry expertise, targeted candidate searches and support throughout the hiring process. At HRS, we focus on understanding your requirements and connecting you with professionals who can make a difference to your organisation.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology roles often overlap, but the industries can differ in the technologies and processes they use. Traditional pharmaceutical development frequently involves chemically synthesised medicines, while biotechnology commonly focuses on biological systems and products. Both offer careers in research, development, manufacturing, quality and regulatory affairs, with opportunities to move between them.

We recruit for specialist positions across the pharmaceutical industry, including research and development, clinical operations, manufacturing, quality assurance, quality control, regulatory affairs and supply chain. From early-career opportunities to senior leadership appointments, we help professionals find roles that align with their experience and career ambitions.

Qualifications vary depending on the role. Many scientific positions require a degree in a relevant subject, such as chemistry, biology, pharmacology or pharmaceutical sciences. Some roles require postgraduate qualifications or specific industry experience, while others offer opportunities for graduates or professionals with transferable skills. It's worth reviewing individual job descriptions to understand what's essential.

Recruitment within CDMOs, CMOs and other Life Sciences service providers often requires an understanding of complex manufacturing processes, client requirements and regulatory standards. A specialist agency can help employers reach candidates with relevant experience while supporting professionals looking for their next opportunity. At HRS, we focus on matching technical expertise with the needs of each organisation.

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