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- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships in life sciences, shaping innovative programmes with NHS priorities.
- Company: Join Health Innovation KSS, a key player in health innovation across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by driving innovation and collaboration in the life sciences sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in life sciences and strong relationship-building skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to transforming health and social care.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Kent/Surrey/Sussex region (hybrid working)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week
Salary: ÂŁ75,000- ÂŁ85,000 dependent on experience
Contract: Two years (Industry secondments welcomed)
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer
About Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)
Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) is the health innovation network for the Kent and Medway, Surrey and Sussex region. There are 15 Health Innovation Networks (HINs) across England, established by NHS England to support the spread and adoption of innovation across health and social care. We work in partnership with NHS organisations, research institutions, life sciences companies and system leaders to accelerate innovation adoption, redesign pathways, improve patient outcomes and generate economic growth.
The UK Government’s 10-Year Health Plan (July 2025) highlights the role of Health Innovation Networks in “powering transformation” and confirms continued national support for their work.
Role Purpose
The Strategic Partnerships Lead (Life Sciences) acts as the senior interface between Health Innovation KSS (KSS) and the life sciences sector. The role is responsible for developing long-term, trust-based partnerships with pharmaceutical, medtech, digital health and data organisations, aligning their innovation ambitions with NHS system priorities and translating opportunity into structured, deliverable programmes of work. This is not a transactional sales role. It is a strategic partnership leadership role that combines:
- Executive-level relationship development
- Opportunity shaping and solution definition
- Commercial structuring and contracting
- Portfolio development and value realisation
The postholder will represent Health Innovation KSS and our regional partners - notably the Secure Data Environment, Kent Medway & Sussex (SDE KMS) and Applied Research Collaboration (ARC KSS) - as an integrated system offer to senior life sciences leaders, shaping multi-year collaboration roadmaps and converting strategic opportunity areas into structured, deliverable Statements of Work aligned with NHS system needs and regional capability.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships across life sciences organisations (pharma, medtech, digital, data and diagnostics), acting as the primary commercial interface for Health Innovation KSS and our regional partners, including the SDE KMS and ARC KSS.
- Present a coherent, integrated regional offer spanning real-world data, research capability, pathway redesign and innovation adoption.
- Act as a trusted strategic partner to industry leaders, understanding their UK market access ambitions, evidence-generation needs, research priorities and long-term growth objectives.
- Co‑develop multi‑year collaboration roadmaps that align industry innovation, data and research ambitions with NHS system priorities, pathway challenges and population health needs.
- Represent Health Innovation KSS, SDE KMS and ARC KSS collectively at national and regional industry forums, strengthening the region’s reputation as a credible, coordinated life sciences partner.
- Opportunity Shaping & Commercial Structuring
- Lead structured scoping engagements that integrate data access, research collaboration and service transformation capability into clearly defined, system‑aligned programmes of work.
- Translate industry ambition into cohesive partnership models that combine evidence generation, data insights and innovation implementation within a single, coordinated framework.
- Define scope, deliverables, outcomes, value propositions and success criteria in collaboration with internal subject matter experts and colleagues across SDE KMS and ARC KSS.
- Act as the commercial lead for partnership development with SDE KMS and ARC KSS, ensuring opportunities are shaped into commercially robust and governance‑compliant arrangements. Develop business cases and partnership models that balance commercial sustainability with system value and long‑term regional capability building.
- Work with the Commercial Manager to formalise opportunities into MoUs, Heads of Terms and Statements of Work that clearly articulate roles, responsibilities and delivery structures across the partnership.
- Ensure all commercial arrangements meet governance, procurement, information governance and compliance requirements across all partner organisations.
- Portfolio Development & Conversion
- Develop and steward a strategic opportunity portfolio spanning life sciences partnerships that involve data access, research collaboration and system innovation delivery.
- Identify both near‑term opportunities (to achieve income targets) and longer‑term partnership value creation across KSS, SDE KMS and ARC KSS capabilities.
- Maintain visibility of integrated pipeline health, conversion rates, contract value and income generation across the partnership portfolio.
- Provide regular reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer and senior leadership across partner organisations on partnership performance, commercial sustainability and strategic impact.
- Ensure continuity of senior‑level relationship management across the lifecycle of partnership agreements, maintaining alignment between industry expectations and regional delivery capability.
- Internal Alignment & Delivery Integration
- Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and delivery teams to align partnership ambition with operational capacity.
- Ensure that agreed programmes are scoped realistically and supported by appropriate expertise and resources.
- Support effective handover from commercial shaping into programme delivery while maintaining senior relationship continuity.
- Collaborate with ARC KSS, Secure Data Environment partners and other regional stakeholders to enable integrated partnership model.
- Positioning & System Value
- Promote the HIN KSS value proposition to industry and NHS partners.
- Contribute to thought leadership, proposals, presentations and strategic engagement activity.
- Support the development of a culture of commercialisation, enterprise and responsible innovation within the region.
- Ensure all partnership activity reflects HIN KSS values, including inclusion, transparency and long‑term system benefit.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience
- Significant experience in the life sciences sector, with strong understanding of UK routes to market and NHS commercial dynamics.
- Demonstrable experience developing strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders (industry, NHS, academia or system leaders).
- Experience translating complex organisational needs into structured, commercially robust programmes or contracts.
- Track record of converting opportunity discussions into defined, deliverable projects or partnerships – balancing the need to achieve shorter‑term commercial targets while nurturing longer‑term strategic relationships.
- Strong understanding of innovation adoption in health and social care (e.g. pathway redesign, medicines optimisation, digital transformation, research partnerships).
- Experience in commercial structuring, contract negotiation or partnership governance in B2B or B2G environments.
- Excellent influencing, negotiation and executive‑level communication skills.
Desirable Experience & Skills
- Understanding of NHS/ICS structures, procurement processes and regulatory environment.
- Experience drafting or contributing to MoUs, Heads of Terms or Statements of Work.
- Experience working across industry and NHS interfaces.
- Experience reporting to senior leadership or boards on commercial portfolio performance.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and a systems mindset.
- Able to operate credibly and confidently at executive level.
- Collaborative, relationship‑driven and values‑led.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shaping emerging opportunities.
- Balances long‑term partnership development with disciplined commercial delivery.
- High integrity, professionalism and resilience.
Values and Behaviours
Health Innovation KSS has developed a clear vision for the direction of the company. A set of values and behaviours have also been developed and agreed to underpin this vision. Our values and behaviours framework can be found on our Careers site. Applicants and employees will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to these values and behaviours, which will be assessed through the recruitment, selection and appraisal processes.
Diversity and Equal Opportunities
It is the desire of Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex to broaden diversity within its workforce. HI KSS is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that all new, existing and prospective employees are treated fairly through the principles of equal treatment and promotion of diversity. This includes ensuring that all individuals who come into contact with the organisation, whether as employees, stakeholders or in any other capacity are treated with dignity and respect; ensuring that the opportunities we provide for learning, personal development and employment are made available on a non‑discriminatory basis and; providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for employees, stakeholders, visitors and others. Along with the other 15 companies within the Innovation Network, we are committed to a series of pledges to further support the diversity and innovation agenda.
To apply for this role, you must do so by following the application process. You will answer some eligibility questions as well as some which are related to your day‑to‑day job. After the job closes, our selection panel will review your application answers and CV. It is our aim to manage our recruitment processes in a fair, consistent and unbiased way. Please be assured that your application and CV will be entirely anonymised, until shortlisting has taken place. Closing date for applications is 6th March 2026. If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which will be a first formal interview. We love giving feedback, so if you do attend for interview, we will share how well you performed at the end of the selection process.
No Agencies, thank you.
Strategic Partnerships Lead (Life Sciences) in Crawley employer: Kss Ahsn
Contact Detail:
Kss Ahsn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Lead (Life Sciences) in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know in the life sciences sector, the better your chances of landing that Strategic Partnerships Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience in developing strategic partnerships and how you've navigated complex organisational needs. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills in commercial structuring and relationship management.
✨Tip Number 3
Research is key! Familiarise yourself with Health Innovation KSS and its partners. Understand their goals and challenges so you can tailor your conversations to demonstrate how you can add value and align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Lead (Life Sciences) in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in the life sciences sector. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Strategic Partnerships Lead, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, emphasise your ability to develop long-term partnerships and navigate complex organisational needs. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically, so share examples that demonstrate your commercial acumen and systems mindset.
Be Clear and Concise: When answering the eligibility questions and job-related queries, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured answers that get straight to the heart of your experience and how it relates to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, we love seeing candidates who follow the process as it shows attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kss Ahsn
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the strategic partnerships that Health Innovation KSS has with life sciences organisations. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and how they align with NHS priorities. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past where you've successfully developed strategic partnerships or navigated complex commercial structures. Highlight your experience in translating organisational needs into deliverable programmes, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Market Dynamics
Brush up on your knowledge of the UK life sciences sector, especially regarding NHS commercial dynamics and routes to market. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will set you apart and show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role requires working closely with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles. Share examples of how you've built trust-based relationships and navigated ambiguity to achieve strategic goals.