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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 an experienced individual to join the newly expanding External Affairs team at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support the development of high level strategic partnerships with innovative life science companies.

The NIHR is a large, multifaceted and nationally distributed organisation funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Together, NIHR people, facilities and systems represent the most integrated clinical research system in the world, driving research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy.

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.

Job Purpose

You will work closely with the NIHR Director of External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships to support and coordinate the NIHR’s involvement in the cross-Government approach to developing and managing strategic partnerships with a small 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

• Support the Director of External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships in high level engagement with current and potential strategic industry partners.
• Coordinate and support the NIHR’s interactions with these companies, working closely with colleagues across other Government agencies, including Office for Life Sciences, Department for International Trade, UK Health Security Agency, MHRA .
• Operationalise actions from partnership meetings and ensure delivery, coordinating the involvement of relevant staff from different organisations.
• Provide a central point of contact for strategic partner companies, triaging requests and questions to the most appropriate individuals and organisations.
• Coordinate activities with NIHR Business Development teams, and other parts of the organisation as required.
• Ensure effective company specific liaison with the developing trial innovation pathways, including for vaccines and cancer.
• Develop an understanding and knowledge of the clinical and academic research community relevant to the development pipelines of partner companies.
• Organise pipeline review and expert advisory group meetings between companies and the relevant clinical academic investigator community.
• Draft proposals, process documents and progress reports to support strategic partnerships.

Candidate specification:

To be successful in this role you will have had a broad experience of working with, or within the life sciences industry, particularly in roles liaising between companies and Government agencies.

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.

Required knowledge, experience and technical skills

Essential

• A good biomedical science degree or equivalent expertise gained through previous employment.
• Experience of working with the life science industry, either in a business development or Government affairs role.
• Experience of working in a research environment.
• In depth knowledge of the UK’s health and care research landscape, with an understanding of how clinical research is carried out in the NHS.
• 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.

Desrable:

• 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.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter briefly outlining your suitability for the role, and details of your current salary / salary aspirations.

For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact matthew.hallswort@nihr.ac.uk

We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves. As such, we are happy to consider requests for part time/flexible working and welcome applications from all areas of our community.

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