Lead London’s life sciences growth agenda
London has one of the world’s strongest life sciences ecosystems, with recognised strengths in research, healthcare, clinical innovation, investment and entrepreneurship.
London & Partners is looking for a Head of Life Sciences to lead the strategy that helps this ecosystem grow. This is a senior, external facing role for someone who can combine scientific credibility with commercial judgement. You will understand how life sciences innovation moves from research into companies, investment, clinical adoption and global markets.
You will lead work to attract international investment, build strategic partnerships, strengthen London’s life sciences infrastructure and position the capital as a global centre for innovation. You will need to be comfortable working across academia, industry, healthcare, investors, developers and government, with the credibility to engage senior stakeholders in the UK and overseas.
You will need a leadership style that builds trust across complex partnerships, gives teams clear direction and turns relationships into practical outcomes.
This role will suit someone who has been exposed to international life sciences ecosystems and understands what makes clusters successful. You may have worked in industry, academia, investment, government, economic development or a related commercial advisory role. What matters is the ability to translate deep sector knowledge into investment outcomes, partnerships and economic growth.
You will act as an ambassador for London’s life sciences offer, lead a specialist sector team and be accountable for delivering inward investment, R&D collaboration and capital investment outcomes.
London & Partners is the business growth agency for London. As a social enterprise, we combine purpose with commercial discipline to drive resilient, sustainable and inclusive economic growth
In this role, you will:
- Lead London & Partners’ Life Sciences sector team, ensuring strong collaboration across investment, trade, marketing, insights and partner engagement.
- Develop and deliver the Life Sciences Cluster Development strategy, business plan, objectives and KPIs.
- Monitor trends affecting life sciences infrastructure, investment and cluster development, using insight to identify opportunities and address barriers to growth.
- Develop initiatives that strengthen London’s life sciences ecosystem, including research, laboratory, innovation and manufacturing capacity.
- Build strategic relationships with global life sciences companies, investors, research institutions, healthcare organisations, developers, international cluster partners and government stakeholders.
- Work closely with key partners including DBT, the Office for Investment, the Office for Life Sciences, the NHS and regional and national cluster organisations.
- Create insights, thought leadership and propositions that support London’s position as a leading global life sciences hub.
- Act as a recognised expert and spokesperson for London’s life sciences ecosystem.
You will also:
- Lead the development, management and conversion of a strong pipeline of inward investment, capital investment and R&D collaboration opportunities.
- Develop compelling sector messaging and value propositions that promote London’s life sciences strengths.
- Create tools, resources and propositions that support inward investment, international growth and cluster development.
- Lead strategic client projects involving life sciences companies, investors, developers and partners.
- Collaborate with Opportunity London teams on life sciences capital investment opportunities and relationships with developer and investor communities.
- Identify and develop appropriate commercial and revenue-generating opportunities for the sector.
- Provide life sciences expertise across wider London & Partners programmes and initiatives.
- Build international partnerships that attract investment, innovation and collaboration into London.
- Represent London & Partners at senior industry events, international conferences, trade missions and stakeholder meetings.
As a senior leader, you will:
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing Life Sciences sector team.
- Strengthen capability, knowledge and sector expertise across the team.
- Manage performance, workloads, development plans and team priorities.
- Create an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
- Monitor progress against agreed targets, KPIs and strategic outcomes.
- Ensure effective use of CRM, reporting and project management processes.
- Manage relevant budgets and resources effectively.
- Lead or contribute to additional strategic projects as required.
We are looking for a credible, commercially minded and highly connected life sciences leader who can operate confidently across a complex stakeholder landscape.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Strong expertise in foreign direct investment, international business, life sciences growth, or a closely related field.
- A deep understanding of life sciences innovation pathways, including therapeutics, diagnostics, medical technologies and digital health.
- Strong knowledge of London’s life sciences ecosystem and how it competes within the global market.
- A proven track record of building senior relationships with C-suite leaders, investors, government stakeholders and sector partners.
- Credibility with stakeholders across academia, healthcare, industry, investors, developers and government.
- Experience leading high-performing teams and delivering strategic programmes with measurable impact.
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing and partnership-building skills, ideally gained in complex organisational environments.
- A commercial and entrepreneurial mindset, with experience identifying revenue-generating opportunities. Experience delivering advisory or consultancy services would be advantageous.
- Strong public speaking, presentation and external representation experience.
- Experience working across organisational boundaries to achieve shared objectives.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office applications and CRM systems.
- Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally to represent London & Partners at meetings, events, conferences and trade missions.
You will be someone who communicates with clarity and purpose, builds trusted relationships, and can bring people together around a shared ambition. You will be strategic, creative and resilient, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, influence without direct authority and deliver through others.
You will also be a strong people leader, able to coach, develop and empower teams while creating a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
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30 Days Annual Leave: Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
- Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
- Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
- Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
- Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
- Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
- Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
- Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
- Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
- ✈️ WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.
London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time.
We encourage applications from all sections of the community.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
London & Partners is the business growth and destination agency for London – it is our mission to create economic growth that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive.
Our work shines a global spotlight on London; we support the Mayor of London's priorities by promoting London internationally as a leading world city.
