Head of Innovation Programmes and Strategic Engagement
Full time, Salary TBD
Hybrid with travel across the Midlands Region
25 days holiday + bank holidays + birthday day off
Pension scheme, Life assurance cover and EAP
Medilink Midlands Ltd is seeking to recruit an experienced Head of Innovation Programmes and Strategic Engagement who will design, lead, and deliver high-value innovation programmes and strategic cross-sector partnerships that strengthen regional capability, support commercialisation and workforce development, and create new opportunities for organisational and sector-wide growth.
The Head of Innovation Programmes and Strategic Engagement is responsible for shaping, developing, and leading high-value innovation programmes and cross-sector engagement that drive commercialisation, workforce development, and organisational growth. The role ensures that innovation activity and strategic engagement also support skills development, talent pipelines, and capability-building initiatives across the sector. The postholder works across industry, academia, the NHS, government, and ecosystem partners, leading end-to-end project management of complex multi-stakeholder programmes that strengthen regional capacity and unlock new opportunities.
Medilink Midlands is a membership organisation with over 20 years’ experience as the region’s specialist, not-for-profit provider of life sciences innovation and business support – leading the way as the Voice of Industry and facilitating cluster development and ecosystems to help businesses establish, develop and grow. The Midlands is a world class region for the life science sector home to the largest number of MedTech businesses in the UK with a £1.6b annual regional contribution.
It is an exciting time to be working with and supporting such an impactful sector and we are delighted to be recruiting a Head of Innovation Programmes & Strategic Engagement to join our Senior Management team. You will work within a supportive environment, whilst critically making a difference to the SME’s we support to grow and develop.
We are looking for essential skills and dynamic individuals who can demonstrate the following.
Key Responsibilities:
Innovation Programmes & Strategic Engagement
- Lead the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of innovation programmes that accelerate commercialisation and sector growth.
- Shape strategic engagement plans that strengthen the life sciences and MedTech ecosystem.
- Act as the organisation’s ambassador across strategic forums and working groups related to innovation, workforce, and sector development
Partnership & Relationship Management
- Identify, build, and manage strategic partnerships with industry, NHS organisations, universities, government bodies, and innovation networks.
- Develop strategies that strengthen innovation pipelines, research translation, and skills‑focused collaboration.
- Engage confidently with C‑suite executives, senior clinicians, academic leaders, and policymakers to secure collaborative opportunities.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Ecosystem Leadership
- Build sector‑wide communities of practice that support innovation, talent development, and ecosystem capability.
- Lead engagement activity that enhances visibility, participation, and understanding of innovation programmes.
- Bring partners into skills‑focused initiatives, including workforce programmes, talent pipelines, and early‑career development activities.
Project & Programme Management
- Lead large, complex multi‑partner innovation programmes from inception to delivery, ensuring robust governance, risk management, budget control, and impact reporting.
- Oversee accelerators, business support programmes, engagement initiatives, skills programmes, and cluster‑building activities.
- Manage collaborative funding bids, integrating skills and capability development where relevant.
- Coordinate delivery partners to ensure high‑quality training, mentoring, technical support, and engagement.
Skills Leadership & Workforce Development
- Lead the development and delivery of skills and talent partnerships aligned with organisational objectives and sector needs.
- Champion workforce capability initiatives, ensuring employers, FE/HE providers and NHS partners, help shape relevant skills pathways.
- Support the creation and delivery of sector‑aligned training, mentoring, and early‑career talent programmes.
- Work with partners to address skills gaps, strengthen talent pipelines, and secure opportunities for learners, graduates, and upskilling professionals.
Strategic Leadership & Organisational Contribution
- Provide insight into innovative trends, industry needs, workforce challenges, and emerging skills demands to inform strategic planning.
- Drive initiatives that strengthen the organisation’s regional and national reputation for innovation excellence, skills leadership, and strategic engagement.
- Develop KPIs, metrics, and reporting frameworks for innovation and skills‑related activity.
Communication & Advocacy
- Representing the organisation at conferences, trade missions, innovation forums, skills summits, and sector roundtables.
- Lead communications that showcase innovation successes, partnership impact, skills outcomes, and sector influence.
- Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on opportunities related to innovation, commercialisation, skills, and stakeholder engagement.
We are seeking individuals who are committed to developing talent across the life sciences and MedTech sectors, who can drive meaningful impact, and who embody the Medilink Midlands values by supporting skills growth, employer engagement and regional workforce development.
Essential
- Proven ability to develop and lead multi‑partner innovation programmes.
- 6 years plus strong project and programme management capability.
- Demonstrated experience in workforce or skills‑focused initiatives.
- Excellent communication, relationship‑building, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to influence and negotiate across complex environments.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to convert insight into actionable, deliverable plans.
- At least degree level in life sciences, health, MedTech, research, or innovation ecosystems.
- 10 years plus working in a life sciences ecosystem
Desirable
- Understanding of sector skills needs, talent pipelines, and training or qualification frameworks.
- Experience designing or delivering skills, mentoring, or workforce programmes.
- Knowledge of regulatory, scientific, or clinical landscapes
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised, proactive and adaptable.
- Confident communicator.
- Passionate about talent development and building sustainable, connected ecosystems.
- Positive and solutions‑focused.
For further details, or for an informal discussion, please contact:
Applications to be submitted via Indeed only by uploading your CV and a Covering Letter explaining your suitability for the role by COP on Thursday 30th April 2026.
Two-stage interview process: Initial online interviews (15 minutes) are likely to be held w/c 11th May 2026 followed by an in-person interview at our Loughborough office for those shortlisted for a second interview w/c 18th May 2026
For more information, please click here: Head of Innovation Programmes and Strategic Engagement – Loughborough – Indeed.com