Director (Government Affairs) at Newmarket Strategy in London

Newmarket Strategy is a rapidly growing consultancy firm operating at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation. Our team has operated at the highest levels of industry, the NHS and government, and our deep expertise spans commercial, market access and policy. We apply these insights for clients across the health and life sciences sector – from pharmaceutical and biotech companies to digital health providers, healthcare and infrastructure services, as well as medtech and diagnostic innovators.

We are looking for a bright, knowledgeable and committed person with at least seven years of experience in a relevant role to join our dynamic and growing Government Affairs team in central London as a Director.

Our Strategic Government Affairs practice fits with our overall approach of providing senior counsel relating to the health and life sciences industries, where the application of our technical expertise in the field is used to help promote health innovations that will improve and save lives.

As a Director, you will play an important role in leading the continued growth of our successful and dedicated strategic government affairs practice – working with colleagues across the business and stakeholders across the health and life sciences sector. Central to your role will be cultivating new business opportunities and designing effective government affairs strategies for clients, built on a sophisticated understanding of the health and life sciences sectors. You will maintain strong, positive relationships with our clients and help to proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities.

You will be working very closely with the Senior Director of Strategic Government Affairs, Newmarket Strategy’s Senior Partners and the wider team to continue to grow the practice, help our clients to achieve their commercial objectives and to bring new and effective innovations to patients.

Core responsibilities include:

• Developing strategic programmes for clients which help deliver on their commercial objectives.
• Offering senior counsel to clients, including constructive challenge where appropriate.
• Supporting companies in bringing innovative products and services to market, enhancing patient care and adding value to the healthcare system.
• Guiding policy and advocacy research, and identifying emerging opportunities and threats.
• Providing strategic analysis and advising clients on changes and trends in healthcare and government policy, including NHS developments.
• Identifying, scoping and developing new business opportunities, leveraging your network and attendance at key events.
• Supporting the development and execution of the business development strategy for the Strategic Government Affairs team.
• Managing multiple clients and projects concurrently.
• Overseeing the implementation of client programmes and leading wider client teams.
• Coordinating and mentoring junior team members, including overseeing their training and development needs.
• Designing and leading high-impact workshops or roundtables with mixed audiences (government officials, industry, clinicians, regulators etc).
• Contributing to Newmarket Strategy’s public profile by writing content for our website and supporting our online presence and social media accounts.
• Maintaining existing and cultivating new relationships with UK government and health policy stakeholders.

We are keen to develop a highly functioning and diverse team with a broad set of skills and experiences. You will have:

• At least 7 years working in a relevant role or field.
• Deep knowledge of the UK healthcare and life sciences landscape and a proven interest in health innovation and the wider sector.
• Consultancy experience, with a proven track record of business generation, is preferred.
• A proven ability to manage complex workstreams for multiple clients and coordinate the work of small project teams.
• Confidence in external stakeholder engagement and excellent communication skills.
• Experience managing a team, including direct line management and aligning junior team members behind an overarching organisational strategy.
• High quality analytical skills and excellent writing skills, with a high level of English language proficiency.
• Ability to work in a collaborative way and contribute to an enjoyable and friendly working environment.

We offer a competitive salary with significant annual performance-based bonus scheme, a competitive package of additional benefits, pension contributions, and hybrid working (office-based Tuesday-Thursday).

To apply, please email your CV and a document with your response to three questions regarding your interest in working for Newmarket Strategy, the greatest new business opportunity for Newmarket Strategy in 2026, and a strategic government-affairs intervention you would recommend to overcome a current challenge in the UK health-innovation sector.

The application deadline is at 17:30 on 19 January 2026.