NIHR LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY DIRECTOR

Company Description

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) seeks an accomplished and visionary leader for the role of Life Sciences Industry Director. Reporting directly to the NIHR Scientific Director of Innovation and the DHSC Deputy Director of Clinical Trials, this senior-level position is pivotal in shaping the future of life sciences innovation in partnership with industry. 

NB:This role will be hosted by the LGC Group. 

As a strategic leader, the Life Sciences Industry Director will drive the NIHR's commercial activities, delivering excellence across critical domains:

• Expanding life sciences partnerships and fostering sustainable growth
• Accelerating the delivery and success of commercial clinical trials
• Engaging and supporting SMEs to realize their full potential in the healthcare ecosystem

This role entails direct leadership and matrix management of high-performing teams and senior stakeholders, including:

• The Head of Business Development, NIHRCC
• The Director of External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships
• The Head of Business Development and Marketing, RDN
• The Head of the Vaccine Innovation Pathway

The Life Sciences Industry Director will be at the forefront of NIHR’s mission to connect groundbreaking research with meaningful healthcare solutions, advancing health and prosperity for all. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a dynamic individual to make a lasting impact in the life sciences sector.

Job Description

NIHR has undertaken a review of how it interacts and engages with industry and the final report accepted by the Board (13/2/25) has made some clear recommendations.

One change is that we will be recruiting a Life Sciences Industry Director, to report to the Scientific Director of Innovation at NIHR and be a key member of the NIHR national leadership team. This role will direct and manage the existing Business development, external affairs, key account management teams within Commissioning Centres (e.g. RDN) and delivery units, all industry facing roles will be part of the oversight remit.

This role will work alongside other directors as part of a high-performing executive team to drive a transformative organisational culture, ensuring the NIHR functions as a single, integrated organisation with a shared vision and purpose. Additionally, it will lead the NIHR offer to industry, overseeing its development and strategic direction.

This role is pivotal in strengthening NIHR’s engagement with the life sciences sector. It will be responsible for embedding a strategic, transparent and coordinated approach to industry engagement, fostering a ‘One NIHR’ culture that enhances the UK’s reputation as a leading destination for commercial research. This person will play a central role in implementing key recommendations from the recent industry engagement review, including unifying NIHR-wide Key Account Management (KAM) principles and processes, supporting SME engagement and developing consistent organisation-wide metrics for industry research delivery.

As the primary NIHR representative to commercial companies and other stakeholders, they will use their credibility, relationships and influence to reshape how the organisation is perceived by industry. The successful candidate will develop and execute strategies to promote the NIHR infrastructure and UK health and care system as a globally competitive location for commercial and non-commercial research in health, public health, and social care. Their leadership will ensure that the NIHR meets the research needs of its commercial customers, strengthens partnerships with life sciences companies and establishes a seamless research delivery ecosystem that optimises study placement and delivery.

This role requires exceptional strategic and operational knowledge related to the delivery of health research, as well as substantial experience of life sciences industry and non-commercial research sectors. The NIHR is a complex and ambitious organisation, and you will provide credible leadership across organisational boundaries while navigating a dynamic policy and regulatory landscape. The role will work closely with health and care organisations, industry stakeholders and research funders, demonstrating presence and inspirational leadership in a range of high-profile settings. The role will interact with other arms of Government (e.g. Department for Business and Trade and Department for International Trade) to ensure a smooth landing for strategic partners and encouraging other partners to conduct more research within the UK.

With a strategic mindset and the ability to grasp complex policy and political issues, you will have a deep understanding of health and care research policy and practice. You will also be adept at identifying opportunities and overcoming challenges to maximise the impact of health and care research for patients, the public, and the wider UK economy.

Many of the constituent organisations have been used to operating independently in the past. The report on Industry highlighted this as needing to change so we act as one NIHR rather than as separate silos. This role will give direction, approval of operating principles, alignment of objectives, agreement on actions and activities that will be undertaken, and ensure that all constituents operate together. This leader will set macro and micro-objectives, and create a metric driven, matrix-managed, outcome focused team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

You will provide visible, dynamic and effective leadership of the industry touchpoints of the organisation, to ensure it brings together gold standard, customer-focused services that meet contractual requirements within existing strategic commitments.

As a senior NIHR leader, you will contribute to national decision-making, support the development of cross-NIHR strategies and policies, and lead national programmes that align with the overall vision and objectives of NIHR. You will work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and leaders across NIHR to address complex and industry focussed challenges, often requiring modern and complex solutions.

You will build and maintain a high level of influence both within and outside NIHR and (host organisation), acting as an ambassador for its vision with professionalism and credibility. You will command the respect of senior stakeholders across the life science sector.

Directing and coordinating the organisations resources, while matrix managing responsibilities and teams, you will have responsibility for staff management, including conducting performance reviews for your team, while identifying training and development needs, and ensuring professional growth for the wider NIHR organisation. You will also drive continuous improvement, effectiveness, and efficiency across all industry facing activities, ensuring that NIHR has the skills and capabilities necessary to meet its current and future objectives.

With a strategic mindset and the ability to grasp complex policy and political issues, you will have a deep understanding of health and care research policy and practice. You will also be adept at identifying opportunities and overcoming challenges to maximise the impact of health and care research for patients, the public, and the wider UK economy.

Duties and responsibilities specific to this role
Alongside the existing directors across the NIHR, you will ensure that NIHR meets the research delivery needs of the life sciences industry. Your leadership will help maximise research opportunities, strengthen NIHR’s strategic partnerships, and facilitate streamlined access to NIHR-funded research infrastructure.

You will lead on development of existing functionality for strategic engagement with life sciences companies to attract new research, build enduring collaborations and provide tailored solutions that enhance the UK’s commercial research environment. You will be a part of the leadership of a coordinated business development and key account management approach, overseeing a team of key account managers across NIHR to support life sciences companies and non-commercial sponsors with extensive research portfolios.

As part of your role, you will drive the strategic development of capability and capacity for life sciences industry research, with a focus on the NIHR offer, optimising existing NIHR services while developing new capacity to meet evolving industry needs. You will also lead the business development and marketing of NIHR research services, ensuring national and international visibility and reinforcing NIHR’s position as the preferred research partner for industry.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing NIHR’s strategy for business development and industry engagement, working closely with other NIHR centres, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England, and other key strategic partners. Your leadership will be crucial in delivering NIHR’s commitments to government strategies and initiatives supporting the life sciences sector, including the NIHR Vaccines Innovation Pathway and wider government-industry collaborations.

Additionally, you will ensure that business development and marketing efforts reflect the full range of NIHR’s infrastructure and support offerings. You will lead on aligning NIHR’s commercial research activities across its infrastructure, to create a unified, efficient, and industry-friendly research environment.

Other duties
These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
This role will require a highly strategic and proactive individual who can unify NIHR’s industry engagement efforts, ensuring a coordinated and consistent approach that aligns with the organisation’s broader objectives. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving forward the recommendations of the NIHR Industry Engagement and Delivery Review, fostering collaboration across NIHR’s infrastructure, and enhancing the UK’s position as a leading destination for life sciences research.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Extensive experience in life sciences industry engagement, including a strong track record of developing national-level strategic partnerships and expertise in commercial clinical research delivery, regulatory frameworks, and governance
• Deep understanding of the UK health and care research landscape, encompassing NIHR infrastructure, NHS research priorities, and government policies related to life sciences investment and commercial research
• Proven leadership in large-scale transformation initiatives, including cultural change, strategic organisational realignment, and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Proven ability to build and influence senior relationships across government, academia, industry, and the NHS, with experience representing organisations at national and international levels, including speaking engagements and advisory roles.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Extensive experience in business development, marketing, and key account management in health research or life sciences
• Deep understanding of industry sector needs (pharmaceuticals, biotech, diagnostics, medical technology, and digital health) and the ability to translate this into a strong NIHR industry offer
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, using data-driven insights to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• High level of political acumen, with the ability to navigate sensitive and high-profile issues effectively

Additional Information

Salary & Benefits 
Annual Salary: Competitive remuneration reflective of the seniority and impact of the role
Performance Bonus: Eligible for bonuses tied to organisational success and individual achievement
Leave Benefits: 25 days of annual leave, complemented by public holidays in the UK, to ensure ample work-life balance
Enhanced Pension Scheme: Contributions to a robust pension plan, supporting long-term financial security
Life Insurance: Comprehensive coverage tailored to executive-level positions
Private Healthcare: 

NB: This is an office based, hybrid role, with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, usually worked as 1 day per week, and may increase, subject to team requirements. *This national role requires substantial UK travel and some international travel.

This package is designed to match the expectations and responsibilities of a senior leader while offering valuable benefits that support personal and professional growth. 

Application
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.

For more information about LGC, please visit our website www.lgcgroup.com  #scienceforasaferworld