Assistant Director - Strategic Industry Partnerships

We are seeking an accomplished and dynamic Assistant Director – Strategic Industry Partnerships to join the External Affairs team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and drive strategic collaborations with leading life science companies, fostering innovation and advancing the impact of health and care research.

About Us

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR – is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research and is the largest funder of health and social care research in the UK.

We work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR funds, enables, and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

Job Description

Do you have experience of working at the interface between life science companies and Government / public sector agencies? Are you keen to contribute to growing the UK’s position as a globally competitive destination for clinical research?

We are looking for a highly experienced individual to join the External Affairs team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support the development and successful delivery of strategic partnerships with innovative life science companies.

As part of the External Affairs team you will focus on building strong relationships with companies, working as part of a cross-Government approach to building enduring partnerships with the life sciences industry.

About You

To be successful in this role you will have broad experience of working with, or within the life sciences industry, particularly in roles liaising between companies and Government agencies. You will need to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the UK health research system and the role that NIHR plays in funding and delivering research that improves the health and wealth of the nation.

You will be able to work with confidence and diplomacy when engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders at various levels of seniority across multiple organisations. You will need excellent interpersonal skills to establish and maintain productive relationships with relevant teams across the NIHR and within key partners across Government and public sector.

You will have strong project management skills, and will be comfortable juggling multiple priorities whilst delivering to short deadlines in a rapidly changing environment.

About the Role

You will work closely with the NIHR Director of External Affairs & Strategic Partnerships to support and coordinate the NIHR’s involvement in the cross-Government approach to developing and managing strategic partnerships with a number of high value life science companies. You will work with colleagues across the NIHR and within other Government and public sector agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to building relationships with key companies.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a point of contact within NIHR for current and future strategic partner companies for planning, monitoring and reviewing plans to deliver the goals of strategic partnerships.
• Ensure that senior members of staff within NIHR and DHSC are fully briefed on all aspects of strategic partnerships before they attend high level meetings
• Coordinate responses to requests and questions from strategic partner companies with the most appropriate individuals across NIHR and other UK government organisations.
• Coordinate activities with NIHR Business Development and Key Account Managers to ensure that strategic partners are aware of the services provided across NIHR
• Work with the Head of the Vaccine Innovation Pathway Programme Management Office to ensure that strategic partners are aware of improvements being introduced for delivery of vaccine clinical trials across the UK, in particular in the areas of infectious diseases and cancer
• Coordinate and support the NIHR’s interactions with colleagues across other Government agencies, including the Office for Life Sciences, Department for International Trade, UK Health Security Agency, and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for delivery of strategic partnerships.

Required knowledge, experience and technical skills

Essential Criteria

• A good biomedical science degree or equivalent expertise gained through previous employment.
• Experience of working with the life science industry, such as in a business development or Government affairs role.
• Experience of working in the UK research environment, including at a research funding organisation, government, a university, an NHS Trust or a charity.
• In depth knowledge of the UK’s health and care research landscape, with an understanding of the NIHR and how clinical research is delivered in the NHS.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and ensure delivery of work programmes involving multiple partners and stakeholders
• A proactive, self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic team player who can work independently and as part of a team and contribute to the development of a positive, can-do culture.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrable success in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across multiple organisations.
• Highly organised with good attention to detail, combined with the ability to complete work on time, despite working in a rapidly changing environment with last-minute requests.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, evidenced by high-level reporting and presentation abilities.
• Ability to analyse issues and generate creative solutions to problems that produce mutual benefit for NIHR and partners.

Desired Criteria

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant area.
• Experience of working in a research funding organisation, policy body or relevant experience in a research environment.
• Good IT skills with experience in using Google Apps.

Salary & Benefits

£62,900 per year

Bonus – subject to company performance

25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Life Insurance

Benenden Healthcare

Season Ticket Loan

Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support

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.

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 Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR.

NB:Closing date for applications is 5pm on the 31st January 2025.

For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact

Company Statement

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.