Head of Ecosystem

Bruntwood; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovation ecosystem management company in the UK seeks a professional to support the commercial growth of its Alderley Park operations. The ideal candidate will drive the development of high-growth businesses while leveraging key relationships in the life sciences and tech sectors. Responsibilities include business development, market intelligence, and managing a network of investors. This role requires strong networking skills and previous experience in strategic partnerships, with a keen interest in trends affecting life sciences.

Benefits

28 days holiday plus birthday off

Performance-based bonus

24 hours volunteer time

Up to 12 months sabbatical

Healthcare cash plan

Life assurance

Up to 8% matched pension scheme

Discounts at leading retailers

Enhanced maternity leave

Interest-free loans for learning new skills

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development and managing strategic partnerships.
• Strong networking and presentation skills.
• Understanding of life sciences within the UK economy.
• Ability to pivot across various sectors.
• Excellent team player motivated by success.

Responsibilities

• Support commercial growth at Alderley Park.
• Work with commercial teams to build pipelines and support customers.
• Maintain sector intelligence and build relationships.
• Attract and manage investors interested in science and technology.
• Evaluate and report on growth activities.

Skills

Business development

Networking skills

Life sciences expertise

Market intelligence

Strategic partnerships

Education

Degree in Life Sciences (beneficial)

Tools

Salesforce

PowerBI

Job description

Bruntwood SciTech, owns and manages the largest portfolio of city wide innovation ecosystems in the UK with 10 campuses across Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Cheshire, Birmingham, and Cambridge and 31 city centre innovation hubs. We craft the specialist environments that science, technology and innovation businesses need to form, scale and grow. We create and nurture these innovation ecosystems, supported by our in depth sector knowledge, connections and expertise.

Here are some examples of our portfolio:

Have a look at these videos to give an insight into who we are:

You will be part of the wider UK Bruntwood SciTech innovation team who are responsible for developing the right innovation ecosystems and curating the programmes of support to grow and scale 1500 life science, deep tech, digital and innovation businesses across the campus network.

Alderley Park is the main hub for this role, so you’ll predominantly be based there with some travel to Manchester City Centre to visit our HQ and support our portfolio based close to the Universities on Oxford Road: Manchester Science Park & City Labs.

Job purpose

You’ll support the commercial growth and development of the Alderley Park ecosystem by attracting and supporting high growth businesses. This will drive the growth of Alderley Park and Manchester portfolios in the main, however this role has the opportunity to contribute to the wider development and success of our other regions.

What you’ll be doing

• Commercial: Work closely with the commercial team to build the pipeline and capture businesses. Add significant value to the pitch process for new customers and provide support to existing customers in their growth with the company.
• Market Intelligence: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the life science and tech sector and forge relationships with businesses across your geographic region to coalesce them in the cluster.
• Business Growth: Define business growth and support needs of portfolio businesses. Identify and manage a network of external partners to deliver growth support to portfolio businesses and attract new businesses into our clusters.
• Leverage Triple Helix: Lead and leverage senior relationships with universities, business schools, trade bodies, and investment organisations in the region to maximise growth opportunities for portfolio businesses. Sit on relevant steering and advisory boards as appropriate.
• Cultivate Investment: Build and manage a robust pipeline of potential investors, both domestic and international, with a keen interest in science and tech disciplines relevant to the cluster. Broker investment to support portfolio companies and growing the commercial SME pipeline.
• Budget and Reporting: support the Chief Scientific Officer in the annual innovation delivery plan and budget and lead on quarterly progress reports across the business. Lead the evaluation of return on investment of different activities within the plan and their success in generating growth for the business. Contribute to monthly KPI flash reports for the region and utilise digital tools (including Salesforce and PowerBI) to track progress of businesses.
• Proposition Development: Work closely with academic and industry partners to create a compelling value proposition for customers and investors, highlighting the unique advantages and opportunities offered by Bruntwood SciTech clusters. You will support the development of a strong brand and reputation for Bruntwood SciTech innovation provision. Support proposition development in Bruntwood SciTech’s growing science locations such as Birmingham and London.

What we’re looking for

• Being a credible expert in life science/medtech innovation is important, however, the ability to pivot and support businesses who operate in; energy, tech, digital and professional services is equally beneficial
• Experience of business development and building and managing effective strategic partnerships. Commercially aware, KPI driven, and able to work at pace.
• An understanding of the role of life sciences within the UK economy, with a keen interested in trends and developments within the field.
• Knowledge of key players and developments in the life science sector - within the region and nationally - and a strong personal network.
• Excellent presentation and networking skills and an interest in attending and hosting sectoral events.
• A collaborative team player and effective communicator, motivated by team success.
• An academic background within Life Sciences would be beneficial but not essential

We really believe that if you’re brilliant to work with, you deserve brilliant things in return:

• 28 days holiday plus you get your Birthday off work - and if that’s not enough you can also buy & sell holidays too
• Bonus - based on individual and company performance
• 24 hours a year volunteer time - there are endless opportunities for you to get involved in supporting the causes that matter most to you
• Sabbatical of up to 12 months so you can take a career break after five years with us
• Healthcare cash plan for all colleagues, so you can claim back medical expenses like optical, dentist & physiotherapy. We also offer free private healthcare cover on an opt in basis too
• Life assurance cover for all colleagues
• Up to 8% matched pension scheme
• Discounts & cashback at leading retailers
• Enhanced maternity / shared parental leave - 26 weeks fully paid leave
• Interest free loans to pursue your passions and apply for up to £2000 towards learning a new skill

On our careers page you’ll find our benefits calculator, where you can select what benefits you’d use to calculate the savings you’d make.

In addition to what to expect within the role and your benefits, it’s good to know that you’ll be working for a business that gives back - The Oglesby Charitable Trust has donated more than £30m since it started out in 2001. Supporting charities across Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Medical Research and Social & Health Inequality.

We’ll do our best to get back to you within a week of your application, however if it has been longer than this please feel free to email [e-mail] for an update.