Business Development Manager

At NPL, we are proud to be a world‑class organisation doing exceptional science, where every role contributes to advancing the UK’s prosperity, security and quality of life. Our success comes from attracting people who share our values of curiosity, collaboration and continuous learning. We are seeking a Strategic Business Development Manager to join our Life Sciences & Health team based at our head office location in Teddington. This role is well suited to someone who is building their career in science, engineering or technical commercial roles and is looking for an environment that supports professional growth and offers a chance to make meaningful national impact.

What the Role Involves

• Build trusted relationships across industry, academia and government, ensuring stakeholders feel valued and supported.
• Develop a deep understanding of NPL’s scientific and engineering capabilities to identify impactful opportunities.
• Work with researchers to shape collaborative projects, commercial engagements and innovation‑led programmes.
• Represent NPL at industry events, technical meetings and customer sites.
• Contribute to a culture that values collaboration, respect and professional development.

Expected Outcomes

• Create and secure opportunities that enable NPL to deliver direct impact with industry—ranging from commercial projects to strategic technical partnerships.
• Develop collaborative R&D consortia that secure competitive grant funding (e.g., Innovate UK, DSIT, NIHR schemes), ensuring NPL plays a central role in national industrial innovation programmes.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders to grow NPL’s presence and influence across life sciences and health sectors.
• Support the development of new customer offerings, commercial models and capability strategies aligned with national priorities.
• Ensure that all interactions reflect NPL’s reputation for excellence, scientific integrity and trusted partnership.

About You

Essential

• Experience of business development, technical engagement, consulting or innovation‑driven environments in the life sciences and health sectors.
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a science, engineering or technology discipline.
• Experience working in a technical, engineering or manufacturing environment, with exposure to varied tasks and problem solving.
• Confidence and clarity in communicating with engineers, scientists and decision makers.
• A strong interest in science, engineering and innovation, with the ability to understand and articulate technical concepts.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the UK.

Desirable

• Background in medical technologies or similar technical roles.
• Understanding of the UK life sciences industrial and healthcare landscape in areas such as medical physics and digital health.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert. Therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical. NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and BAME candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

We’re transforming. As a national laboratory, we’re exploring even more commercial routes to market and that’s presenting us with greater opportunity – for you and us. Our success relies on the diversity and talent of our people, we strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued and supported to excel in their chosen field. This value is at the core of our organisation. We believe in a culture of fairness by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, background or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work. At NPL we are committed to the health and well‑being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work‑life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. NPL’s values are at the heart of what we do and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we signed up to the Institute of Physics' Project Juno in 2015 as a Juno Supporter. NPL were proud to be awarded Juno Practitioner status in 2018. NPL also joined Stonewall as a Diversity champion in 2015, participating in their annual Workplace Equality Index for the equality of LGBT+ community at NPL. In 2018, NPL became a member of the Business Disability Forum and joined the disability confident scheme as level 1 committed employer. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.