Head of Life Sciences

Lead Londons life sciences growth agenda

London has one of the worlds 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 Londons 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 Londons 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 Londons 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 Londons position as a leading global life sciences hub.
• Act as a recognised expert and spokesperson for Londons 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 Londons 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…