Head of Business Development: NIHR

Department: NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure
Location: London
Contract: Permanent
Vacancy Reference: 22242
Closing date: Friday 28 May

Job description

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is a large, multi-faceted and nationally distributed health research organisation funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). NIHR is the nation's largest funder of health and care research and provides the people, facilities and technology that enables research to thrive. Working in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public, NIHR delivers and enables world-class research that transforms people's lives, promotes economic growth and advances science.

LGC is an international life sciences company working with customers in the government, academic, pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, food, environment, security and sports sectors to achieve excellence in investigative, diagnostic and measurement science. LGC’s Grant Management Group (GMG) are experts in managing research funding to maximise its impact. On behalf of the UK Department of Health and Social Care, GMG manages three important components of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): Central Commissioning Facility (CCF), NIHR Centre for Engagement & Dissemination (CED), and NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI).

We are looking for a Head of Business Development to join our NOCRI team. NOCRI works to maximise the Department of Health and Social Care’s £0.5 billion investment in clinical research infrastructure through stimulating collaborative working. A key part of NOCRI’s role is to provide potential partners, including the life sciences industry and charities, with a direct and simplified route to a wide range of experimental medicine facilities and expert NIHR investigators. NOCRI works with organisations to help them navigate this infrastructure and, where required, form partnerships and collaborations.

The Head of Business Development will lead a small team aiming to identify companies and medical research charities that are interested in the expertise, facilities, processes and patients available from the NIHR clinical research infrastructure and particularly pre-formed Collaborations, e.g., NIHR Translational Research Collaborations (TRCs). These Collaborations offerings are often focused on a particular disease area such as dementia and typically comprise leading researchers from a range of NIHR Biomedical Research Centres with expertise in that area. The team is responsible for facilitating the transaction of clinical work between companies and the NIHR infrastructure in the form of trials and advisory expertise. The post holder will also support the engagement of the Collaborations with partners such as other parts of the NIHR Infrastructure, life sciences industry and medical research charities.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities

Membership of the NOCRI Senior Leadership Team including working with other senior colleagues to develop strategy and monitor delivery of NOCRI services
Sharing in the management of key stakeholders
Line management of Business Development team
Driving business development, match-making and key account management including the formation of strategic partnerships with selected organisations
Contributing to NOCRI’s positioning, strategy and engagement with stakeholders
Supporting the work of other NOCRI team members

Qualifications

Required:

Experience of effective line management
Experience of liaising with senior individuals in a variety of organisations with an ability to create favourable working relationships easily
A good biomedical science degree or equivalent expertise gained through previous employment in the life sciences sector
Previous experience in a sales, business development or stakeholder engagement role
Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management tools
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Proficient in the use of email and other web-based applications, including online databases.

Desirable:

Background in life science industry business development, life science venture capital investment or life science technology transfer
An understanding of how clinical research in the NHS is carried out, and of the role of the NIHR
Previous experience of working with the NIHR

At NIHR our people are our success. We aim to attract a diverse community from a broad range of cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs. We want to unite under our shared vision, best research for best health, by attracting a diverse community of stakeholders. We welcome applications from under-represented groups.

How to apply

Please forward your CV to jeanette.barry@nihr.ac.uk along with a covering letter indicating your current salary and suitability for the role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment.