Associate Director (maternity cover contract) in London

Inizio Ignite is the global advisory partner for health and life sciences, encompassing connected expertise across Research Partnership, Putnam, Vynamic, and STEM. Guided by purpose, passion, and precision, we collaborate with clients to ignite impact, accelerate performance, and deliver lasting change for patients. By uniting strategy, insights, and innovation with a unique depth and breadth of expertise, we drive transformation and shape the future of health.

Our Research Partnership healthcare market research team provides research and insights to inform and power healthcare decisions. Serving a variety of clients across the lifecycle, our expertise includes data, research & insights (proprietary syndicated and custom research) and brand tracking (ATU). Proudly part of Inizio – the market-leading commercialization partner for health and life sciences. From early-stage development to loss of exclusivity, we simplify complexity, unlock value, and make collaboration seamless at every pivotal moment – supporting confident, insight-driven decisions that move innovation forward.

About the team:

Our Europe Custom Research team partners with global pharmaceutical and biotech clients to enable them to solve marketing, brand, advertising and communications problems through a mixture of innovative qualitative and quantitative market research techniques. The Europe Custom Research team is not split into silos by client or therapy area, so you will be empowered to develop broad expertise across the healthcare landscape and will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of expert senior researchers and gain exposure to the full suite of research tools and techniques covered by the team.

About the Opportunity:

We are hiring this Associate Director position as an initial 12-month fixed-term contract as maternity cover. We are looking to appoint the position in April 2026. The role will sit embedded within a team, reporting into the Team Director and with client and line management responsibilities. There may be the opportunity for the position to become a permanent role in future if there is a good mutual fit and business need for a permanent hire.

Your primary role:

• Your research responsibilities will be to oversee projects and project teams, be the main point of contact with the client, and write and give client presentations.
• You will also support the Team Director to manage the team, with responsibilities involving conducting appraisals, pay reviews, monitoring of performance, personal development, training of staff, recruitment and developing and implementing internal company procedures.
• You will also be looking to take your first steps in formal business development.
• You will write proposals to win new business, consider timescales and calculate the research cost alongside Directors and Project Managers.
• Involvement in talent acquisition and assessing potential new staff.

About You…

Your skills and experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in market research, including within the healthcare industry.
• Have experience in leading projects and client management.
• A desire to progress your business development skills, with the ultimate aim of generating your own clients.

Ideal profile:

• You are proactive, dedicated and enthusiastic, with a ‘can do’ attitude and approach.
• You demonstrate a high level of accuracy and attention to detail, as well as strengths in organisation and prioritisation.
• You are a collaborative team player who works well with colleagues.
• You communicate ideas and issues in an effective, straightforward fashion.
• You are highly motivated and want to seize opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career.

Life at Research Partnership:

We love what we do and continuously strive for innovation and creativity. We believe everyone should continuously be learning and provide:

• A comprehensive training and development programme for all staff, from entry level apprentice to senior management.
• A relaxed and friendly working environment.
• Social events - including a summer day out and end-of-year party, along with regular social events after office hours.
• Fundraising and charity events – we support Forever Angels, a children's charity whose aim is to care for abandoned babies in Tanzania, Africa, as well as the local charity, Fulham Good Neighbours.

Benefits package:

• Company pension contributions of 5% available from your first day (salary sacrifice).
• Increasing holiday entitlement for each year’s service, up to 30 days.
• Additional birthday day off.
• Private health insurance.
• Life Assurance plan.
• Group Income Protection.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, Adoption Leave.

Further information:

This is a full-time role, working in a hybrid pattern (2 days per week in the office) at our fantastic HQ location in Holborn. This role is also available on a remote worker basis (1 day per month in the office).

Our Pledge:

At Research Partnership, we value inclusivity, recognize the power of diversity, and inspire the next generation of change-makers. We are an equal opportunities employer. We believe in creating a work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We aim to recruit from a diverse slate of candidates and foster an environment that provides the right conditions for long‑term success. We welcome all applications regardless of race, colour, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, military veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! Our company is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others.