Head of KQ Labs - Innovation and Business

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed term appointment on Crick Terms and Conditions. Salary: From £90,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

KQ Labs is a major initiative supporting early-stage, data-driven health start-ups from across the UK. Backed by partners including the Medicines Discovery Catapult, Cancer Research Horizons and Genomics England, as well as past partners Innovate UK, Wellcome Trust and LifeArc, the programme helps position London’s Knowledge Quarter as a global centre for health innovation. Now in its eighth year, KQ Labs provides funding, mentoring, expert workshops and investor connections to ten companies each year, building a thriving alumni network of over 70 start-ups. The initiative has also expanded to include TechBio Boost, supporting later-stage companies, and NG Studios, helping northern university spinouts, alongside the PULSE bootcamp for emerging life science entrepreneurs.

About the role

The Head of KQ Labs will lead the strategic development and delivery of KQ Labs and its associated programmes, shaping its short, medium and long-term vision within the wider health innovation ecosystem. You will ensure the effective allocation of financial and human resources, oversee programme delivery, and drive future growth and funding. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on execution – requiring creativity, ambition and a deep understanding of start-up challenges. You will play a pivotal role in maintaining KQ Labs’ reputation as a world-class accelerator for data-driven health innovation.

What you will be doing

• Strategy and Programme Management: Develop and deliver the short, medium and long-term strategy for KQ Labs, including sustainable funding plans. Oversee and continuously improve the core accelerator and related programmes (TechBio, Boost, NG Studios), ensuring high-quality cohorts, impactful mentoring and measurable outcomes.
• Community Building: Grow and engage the KQ Labs alumni network through events, workshops and mentoring. Lead marketing and communications to strengthen the KQ Labs brand and thought leadership within the data-driven health ecosystem.
• Partnerships and Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners and funders, including government bodies, investors, corporates, and academic institutions. Actively engage investors and industry leaders to support participating and alumni companies.
• Team Leadership and Operational Oversight: Lead and develop the KQ Labs team, oversee budgets, reporting, and programme delivery and ensure effective operational systems and communications.
• Financial Management: Secure and manage resources to deliver current and future programmes, including oversight of start-up funding and engagement with finance and legal teams.
• Translation Team Entrepreneurship Activities: Contribute to broader Crick entrepreneurship initiatives, including the PULSE bootcamp and Crick Innovation Challenge, fostering a connected, sustainable community of life science innovators.

Key Experience and Competencies:

• The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, and Collegial, in addition to the following:
• Proven ability to develop and deliver long-term strategy, navigate complexity and drive performance in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills; experience engaging with Boards, investors and senior partners.
• Strong management skills to lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Confident ambassador able to raise KQ Labs’ profile and represent the programme and its companies across diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in commercialising innovation, scaling early-stage ventures and securing public and private funding.
• Understanding of healthcare, life sciences and data-driven technologies (AI, machine learning) and their transformative potential.
• Track record of successfully working with multiple partners to achieve shared goals.
• MSc or PhD in life sciences, biomedical sciences, data / computer science or a related discipline.
• Experience of working in an early-stage company in the life sciences / biomedical / data driven health field.
• Substantial experience in managing a start-up accelerator.
• Background in an academic or research environment.

About Working at the Crick

Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: ruby.oluwafemi@crick.ac.uk

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• 24/7 GP consultation services.
• Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Childcare support allowance.
• Annual leave purchase options.
• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.