Why should I use a pharmaceutical recruiting specialist?

Recruiter specialization in pharmaceuticals exponentially increases your ability to target the best talent for your organization. Surf Search has a deep database of candidates working at pharmaceutical companies around the country. We develop strong career relationships with candidates in the pharmaceutical industry and know what they are looking for in a new job.

Explain your recruiting process, from receiving the initial job order to onboarding a new hire? What can we expect?

Surf Search will meet with your hiring team to ensure you have a strong message on selling both the job and your company. We will help you fine tune your job descriptions. Benefits, company culture and career pathways need to be clearly defined. The interviewing process needs to streamlined and efficient. Next, Surf Search will present 3-8 qualified candidates for each position within 1-2 weeks’ time. We will help you set up interviews, follow up with the candidates and hiring teams, check references when necessary and negotiate the offer when the time comes. We keep in touch with the hiring manager and the candidate to make sure onboarding is completed and that the candidate is thriving in their new position.

Which pharmaceutical roles does Surf Search fill?

Surf Search has successfully filled hundreds of key positions at pharmaceutical companies in R&D, manufacturing, operations, HR, financial and top leadership. With over 20 years recruiting in pharmaceutical recruiting, we have an extensive database of candidates, and a deep pipeline of candidates we are regularly in contact with. We also reach out to new grads and postdocs looking for industry positions.

What does your candidate sourcing strategy look like for recruiting candidates in the pharmaceutical industry?

With offices across the US, Surf Search recruiting teams have developed a deep pipeline of active candidates numbering in the tens of thousands. We work on positions with companies across the country and partner with other top recruiting firms who also specialize in pharmaceutical recruiting. This dramatically increases our reach.

What differentiates Surf Search as pharmaceutical recruiters from all the others? What makes you better?

We are a niche recruiting firm, focused on recruiting for the pharmaceutical industry. We have been in the headhunting business for a long time and enjoy a terrific reputation with our clients and candidates. Most of our clients have been with us through many company changes and take us with them as they move up their own career ladders. In recruiting for the pharmaceutical industry, you are only as good as who you know, and our recruiting pipeline is deep. Take a dozen headhunters, give them the same pharmaceutical search assignment and Surf Search always come out on top. Our knowledge and depth of experience in pharmaceutical recruiting stands out in headhunting circles across the U.S.

Pharmaceutical Recruiters and Executive Search Specialists

Your pharmaceutical recruitment team

When Surf Search begins the process for recruiting pharmaceutical candidates, that process starts with YOU and your hiring manager. We need to know your “must haves.” Are you looking for process engineering candidates with sterile pharmaceutical experience? Are you looking for quality assurance manager candidates with a background in OTC oral solid dosage? Are you struggling to find candidates willing to relocate to your very rural manufacturing site? Our process starts with getting a strong understanding of what you’ve done, what you really need, and what hasn’t worked so far. That’s why you are coming to us. From there, we:

Use extensive contacts within the pharma space to identify competitors with candidates who may be looking.

Utilize industry knowledge to target ideal candidates.

Build strong relationships with candidates with “always available” contact. This streamlines the recruiting process.

Identify candidate concerns and interests, promoting company culture, values and career growth opportunity while mitigating any potential negatives.

Facilitate offer presentation and neutralize counter offer issues.

Help manage candidate’s move and transition.

Your pharma executive search specialists

Headhunting in the pharmaceutical space is more than challenging in the current environment. As long time executive recruiters focused on life sciences, our pipeline of pharmaceutical candidates is extensive. We understand what it takes to convince the best passive candidates to make a move. Pharmaceutical headhunting isn’t for beginners. Look to Surf Search to fill your most challenging roles.

Roles we recruit

Leadership and executive search

We recruit leaders alongside specialist hires. Share the responsibilities, team and stage of the business so we can define the right search.

Manufacturing and CMC recruiting

Build the team behind pharmaceutical development and production. We discuss process development, manufacturing science, quality and chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) responsibilities before targeting candidates with relevant product and operating experience.

Head of Sales · Boston · CDMO

Finding a CDMO's first U.S. sales leader

Challenge: A European contract development and manufacturing organization needed its first U.S.-based hire. The Head of Sales had to build a market strategy and win clients personally, with no U.S. sales team or client base to inherit. Most senior candidates were already managing teams. The people still prospecting often lacked the experience to build a U.S. operation from scratch.

Solution: We mapped companies of a similar size and looked beyond job titles. Conversations with candidates at different levels helped us find someone who could set the strategy, do the day-to-day business development and work independently.

Timeline: Two months to shortlist; four months to hire. Time-zone differences and European summer holidays extended the process.

Result: The candidate settled into the role quickly. The client is considering further U.S. expansion and plans to return to Surf Search for its next hires.

VP of AI Strategy · New York · Pharmaceuticals

Finding an AI leader who understands drug discovery

Challenge: A large pharmaceutical company wanted to build an AI team for drug discovery. Its recruiters had worked on the VP role for eight months without reaching the right candidates. The hire needed senior drug discovery experience, knowledge of AI applications in pharma and the willingness to work on site full time. The client also wanted someone who could set strategy and still write code when needed.

Solution: We approached AI candidates we already knew through previous relationships. With so few people meeting the requirements, the search depended on sustained conversations about why the opportunity was worth a move.

Timeline: Four months to shortlist; six months to fill.

Result: We filled the VP role and then helped the new leader build the team with machine learning engineers and project managers.

Our most recent pharmaceutical blog posts

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Life Sciences Salary Guide

Pharmaceutical Recruiters and Executive Search

We work with clients and candidates at companies like these

Your pharmaceutical recruitment team

Your pharma executive search specialists