External Innovation, Principle Scientist

About The Role

The External Innovation, Principal Scientist plays a critical role in identifying, assessing, and advancing externally sourced scientific and technological innovation to strengthen Haleon’s Global Wellness Category growth objectives. Sitting within Global R&D for the Wellness category and working closely with Innovation, Business Development, Regulatory, and Commercial teams, this role leads scientific evaluation and technical due diligence of external opportunities spanning ingredients, formulations, and technology solutions relevant to Global Wellness priorities.

The role is accountable for translating external science into clear technical recommendations that inform partnership and licensing decisions and for ensuring strong scientific rigor, consumer relevance, and strategic fit within the Global Wellness portfolio.

• Lead scientific scouting, assessment, and prioritization of external innovation opportunities for the Global Wellness category, aligned to Haleon’s strategic R&D focus areas.
• Conduct technical and scientific due diligence on external assets, including evaluation of underlying science, IP position, regulatory feasibility, safety, and quality considerations.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Innovation, Regulatory, Medical, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to assess development feasibility and risk within the Wellness R&D context.
• Provide clear, evidence‑based technical recommendations to support decision‑making on partnerships, licensing, or acquisitions ensuring they generate outputs that are aligned with Global Wellness needs.
• Maintain awareness of emerging scientific trends, competitive intelligence, and technology developments relevant to global wellness categories.
• Build and maintain a strong external network across academia, startups, research organizations, and technology partners in the wellness ecosystem.
• Contribute scientific leadership to external collaborations and early‑stage partnerships supporting Global Wellness R&D priorities.

Maintain awareness of the competitive, regulatory, and scientific landscape for Global Wellness products, including devices and diagnostics, and apply this knowledge when assessing new product opportunities and claims. Build and sustain an external network of scientific and regulatory experts to support robust evaluations.

• 8–15 years of experience, including 5–10 years in R&D and 3–5 years in strategic planning, licensing, or related disciplines.
• Deep scientific expertise applicable to consumer health and wellness innovation across dietary supplements, diagnostics or related product platforms.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating external innovation opportunities, including scientific due diligence and feasibility assessment.
• Strong understanding of regulatory, safety, and quality requirements relevant to global wellness product development.
• Experience working in highly matrixed, cross‑functional global organizations and influencing without direct authority.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex scientific data into clear, actionable technical recommendations.
• Well organized and a strong sense of urgency; must be a team player with a creative mind.

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Prior experience in external innovation R&D front end, search and evaluation, business development, or related roles within Consumer Healthcare, Nutritional/Food, Med Tech, Biotech, or Life Sciences.
• Familiarity with use of AI tools and capabilities.
• Strong scientific communication skills, able to engage effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Intellectual Property approaches and building strategies.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance scientific rigor with commercial and development realities in global wellness portfolios.
• Experience building and leveraging external scientific or innovation networks.
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, early‑stage innovation environments.

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