Innovation Team
Our Innovation team supports high-growth companies to tap into the power of London's tech ecosystem. We deliver flagship programmes and events including London Tech Week, the Open Innovation Fellowship, London Life Sciences Week, and our Deep Tech Summit.
We directly support companies with the advice, data, connections and platforms they need to grow. Across all our programmes and services, we help innovative companies to access talent, investment, customers, and industry stakeholders.
We are experts, connectors and convenors:
- We support high-growth companies to give them the no-cost advice and data they need, directly working with founders and leaders on fundamental business challenges such as how to find the best talent, access funding, and tap into corporate customers.
- We connect founders to our extensive network of corporates, talent leaders, universities, industry bodies, and more. We work with businesses to understand the specific introductions they need and make them happen.
- We convene companies and industry leaders to discuss key challenges, strategize together, and champion the London ecosystem. We bring together small groups of founders for focused dinners, organise curated sessions with investors and corporates, and host some of London’s landmark tech events including London Tech Week.
We are fanatical about London and passionately advocate for the depth of innovation and talent across the capital.
Purpose of Role
London & Partners is seeking a passionate, resourceful and personable Senior Manager to join our Innovation directorate. You will help to drive our work supporting London's most innovative Life Sciences businesses and promote London as a leading global destination for the life sciences sector.
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Deliver the UK’s leading Life Sciences festival. You will lead programme delivery for London Life Sciences Week, planning content, inviting and briefing speakers, working with partners and sponsors, and coordinating teams across L&P to ensure successful delivery of the event.
- Build the event for the long term. You will reflect critically on how to level up London Life Sciences Week, gathering feedback from colleagues and partners to develop a long-term strategy of growth.
- Tell London’s Life Sciences story. Working with colleagues in Comms, you will develop and advocate key messaging around London Life Sciences Week. You will plan briefings for Team London (leading political and industry stakeholders) to champion the event and the sector.
- Promote Life Sciences throughout other key moments of the year. You will work to ensure that Life Sciences is well represented at other key tech and innovation moments of the year, advocating for the sector. You will work closely with the organisers of London Tech Week to propose content ideas and engage Life Sciences leaders in the event.
- Support the next generation of Life Sciences innovators. Working with the Head of Life Science Programmes and colleagues across Innovation, you will scope and develop a new early-stage navigation service to connect startups with key opportunities in the NHS and industry.
- Help Life Sciences businesses to access funding. Working closely with the Senior Investment Manager, you will help early-stage companies to connect with relevant VCs and other funding opportunities. This will include supporting curated Meet the Investor events.
- Welcome global innovators to London. You will organise and lead UK innovation tours for delegations of international Life Sciences leaders, working with universities and industry.
- Generate and track impact: across the ecosystem events you run, the companies you support, the impact on Londoners of all backgrounds, and the efficiency of the programmes you are responsible for. You will identify best practices to continuously improve the impact of your work and that of the team.
- Champion the value of London’s rich diversity. You will endeavour to reflect London’s unique mix of cultures, backgrounds and perspectives in your programming decisions. You will advocate for the value of under-represented founders and talent in the Life Sciences sector.
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A knowledgeable advisor, with a strong understanding of the Life Sciences sector in London and internationally. You will be able to provide valuable insight to colleagues from day one and will understand the challenges faced by businesses at different stages, as well as the interests of industry bodies, corporates, and academia.
- Fascinated by cutting edge innovation, with an active and demonstrable interest in the latest breakthroughs in Life Sciences. You will be motivated to relate this knowledge to broader trends in tech and stay up to speed with the latest developments across the London ecosystem.
- A strategic thinker with a long-term vision, able to understand how strategies will impact or engage different parts of industry.
- An excellent communicator, able to engage credibly with founders and senior businesspeople, articulating complex ideas and strategies. An impactful presenter.
- A skilled relationship builder, able to connect and build trust with individuals across different organisations and backgrounds, including in industry and academia. Politically aware with an ability to influence.
- A flexible and resourceful problem solver with the ability to identify creative solutions to complex challenges. A natural listener with an inquisitive attitude.
- Data driven. Proficient in digital tools and platforms for research, communication, and project management. Keen to continuously improve and become more efficient through the use of innovative tools and AI.
- A team player who works collaboratively, excited to be part of an organisation focussed on social impact and work with colleagues to make a real difference. You will respond well to the contributions of others.
- A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, excited to unlock the potential of underrepresented groups.
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate
- Significant knowledge of the Life Sciences and high-growth technology sector, with a particular focus on the challenges facing startups and scaleups.
- An industry background with current or recent experience of biotech, MedTech and digital health.
- Demonstrable experience of project management covering strategy, programme design, governance, and successful delivery. Experience of contract evaluation and budget management.
- An ability to manage diverse projects and workstreams simultaneously, aligning their work to overarching objectives and changing their focus as necessary according to the needs of the organisation.
- A track record of building strong relationships with different types of stakeholders at various levels of seniority. Effective communication and presentation skills.
- Experience of working with data to level up their work. Knowledge of CRMs and a creative use of productivity tools.
- Ability to work independently to achieve targets as well as collaboratively with other members of the team. Experience in cross-organisation working to achieve challenging goals at pace.
- Personal resilience and willingness to adapt positively to feedback.
- The highest level of personal organisation, professional standards, and attention to detail.
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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.
