This role
We are seeking a commercially minded senior leader to establish and lead a new Life Sciences Partnership Function for the South West Secure Data Environment (SWSDE). Serving more than five million people across six Integrated Care Board areas, the SWSDE enables approved researchers to securely access and analyse health and care data to support research and innovation that benefits patients and populations.
This is an opportunity to shape how the South West works with the life sciences sector to develop research, innovation and commercial partnerships. Working across the NHS, academia and industry, you will build and lead a pipeline of partnership opportunities, taking them from initial engagement through to agreed programmes that deliver clear value for partners and the health and care system.
You will play a key role in developing the frameworks, commercial models and ways of working needed to support effective collaboration between the NHS, academia and industry, while maintaining high standards of privacy, security, ethics and public trust.
As Secure Data Environments continue to evolve across the UK, you will help define how organisations work with life sciences partners to use health data safely and responsibly to support research and innovation.
The role forms part of the SWSDE leadership and delivery model and is hosted by Health Innovation South West on behalf of the SWSDE, working closely with Health Innovation West of England and regional NHS and academic partners.
Role profile:
Key success factors
· The Senior Life Sciences Partnership Lead will lead the development and delivery of the Life Sciences Partnership Function for the SWSDE. The postholder will originate, develop and convert high impact partnerships between the SWSDE, NHS organisations and the life science sector that utilise the functionality and capability of the SWSDE safely, ethically and efficiently to deliver benefit for partners and the population of the South West region.
· The role will act as a key interface between the SWSDE and external partners, ensuring opportunities for partnership working between the SWSDE and the life science sector are translated into deliverable, governance-ready programmes that create measurable research, innovation and economic benefits. This will include providing NHS organisations involved in the SWSDE to develop effective partnership working with the life science sector, including pricing approaches, contract development and commercial operating models that enable sustainable collaboration with industry partners.
· This role reflects emerging functions being developed across other SDEs, Trusted Research Environments (TREs) and regional data innovation ecosystems, where specialist life science sector leadership expertise is required to complement technical, governance and academic routes.
· The postholder will develop commercially and operationally viable proposals for consideration through SWSDE governance. The role will not determine access to data. All projects will remain subject to feasibility assessment, information-governance requirements, demonstration of public benefit and independent Data Access Committee approval.
Responsibilities
1. Leading strategic partnership development
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Lead the development and delivery of the Life Sciences Partnership Strategy for the SWSDE, building the South West’s distinctive position as a preferred regional partner for data-enabled life science sector research and innovation partnerships.
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Build senior relationships with major life science sector organisations and develop strategic anchor partnerships capable of generating sustained partnership activity and long term income.
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Build trusted relationships with SWSDE partner organisations, including Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and NHS providers, supporting partners to develop effective partnership working with the life science sector and the SWSDE.
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Build strategic relationships with relevant national programmes including NHS England, Health Data Research UK and wider research networks.
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Identify collaborative opportunities for Life Science Partnership Function with other SDEs and TREs.
2. Leading partnership pipeline generation
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Lead the development of a strategically aligned, high quality pipeline of revenue generating partnerships with the life science sector.
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Work with Health Innovation Networks and NHS partners to originate opportunities in collaboration with NHS partner organisations.
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Lead the management, and delivery of the partnership pipeline, ensuring effective planning and oversight to deliver agreed partnership pipeline, revenue targets and KPIs.
3. Leading partnership opportunity development and conversion
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Translate external opportunities with the life science sector into scoped programmes, studies or service offers, working with technical, IG, governance and delivery teams to assess feasibility of proposals and progress opportunities from concept to approval.
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Work with the wider SWDE team to identify and resolve barriers to partnership conversion and maintain momentum across the partnership lifecycle: Find / Receive / Develop / Secure / Deliver.
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Develop and deploy pricing models, cost recovery approaches, commercial negotiations and contracting arrangements in line with SWSDE strategy and governance frameworks.
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Support NHS organisations and SWSDE partners to develop and adopt effective and sustainable models of partnership working with the life science sector and the SWSDE, including providing expert advice on contracting mechanisms, commercial frameworks and partnership agreements.
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Work with SWSDE finance, legal, information governance and operational colleagues to develop robust partnership agreements, contractual documentation and commercial propositions that support scalable and repeatable approaches to partnership delivery.
5. Leading effective governance and assurance
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Ensure all partnership activity aligns with SafeGUARDs, information governance, ethics and NHS standards, working closely with SWSDE governance and operational leads to maintain public trust and transparency.
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Ensure commercial agreements and partnership arrangements align with SWSDE governance, NHS regulatory requirements and agreed organisational responsibilities across host organisations.
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Ensure effective communication and contribution into SWSDE governance and reporting processes.
6. Leading people and partners in a matrix management structure
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Lead the development of the Life Science Partnership Function and the associated resources and people required to ensure effective delivery of the Life Sciences Partnership Strategy.
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Work collaboratively across multiple SWSDE host organisations and stakeholders, operating effectively without direct line management where delivery is through influence and matrix leadership.
Person specification
Experience we’re looking for
· Experience leading partnership working between the NHS and life science sector.
· Track record leading commercial growth and business development.
· Experience leading commercial negotiation and contract development, contract development and partnership agreement design across complex multi-organisational environments.
· Experience operating in environments with complex and rigorous information governance and data sharing requirements.
· Understanding of the UK health, innovation and research landscape.
Desirable experience required:
· Experience leading partnership working with universities and research partners.
· Experience working with health and care data or in trusted research data environments, including NHS data policy, SafeGUARDs or data governance frameworks.
· Experience working with NHS governance structures and decision making.
Abilities and attributes
· Strategic Vision – opportunity-focused, creates new customer markets and develops new revenue streams that balance strategic ambition with attention to risk.
· Customer Orientation – builds trust, anticipates partner needs, works with agility, delivers value to partners.
· Commercial Acumen – skilled in complex negotiations, high levels of financially literacy, focused on sustainable commercial growth.
· Execution excellence – translate partnership opportunities into actionable plans that deliver measurable results, with a strong attention to detail.
· Leadership & Influence – motivates, provides clear direction and build effective working relationships in a matrix managed, partnership structured operating model.
· Communication – translates complexity into clear narrative, compelling storyteller, adapts style to target audiences.
Reporting to:
Executive Director of Innovation & Commercial Partnerships, Health Innovation South West
Non Charity Employer 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
National charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, trains dogs to transform the lives of deaf people and provides hearing loss services – because nobody with hearing loss should feel alone.
About the role
We are seeking a compassionate, proactive, and organised Interim Partnership Advisor to join our Partnership Support Team on a full-time basis. You’ll manage a defined geographic area covering Borders, East, North East and Highlands.
Responsible to: Partnership Support Area Manager.
Based: Community based in Scotland (covering Borders, East, North East and Highlands).
Contract: Permanent, full-time.
Key Responsibilities
Companionship – Supporting Thriving Partnerships:
- Provide long-term, person-centred advice, guidance, and wellbeing planning to partnerships within an allocated regional area. Ensuring all recipients feel they are treated with attention, courtesy and respect.
- Manage a caseload of partnerships, ensuring regular in-person visits (once per quarter after the first 6 months) and ongoing tailored support via multiple channels.
- Develop and implement partnership support and wellbeing plans, with robust risk management measures.
- Support the integration of new partnerships into the local community, delivering monthly support throughout the first 6 months.
- Lead on retirement and bereavement pathways, offering planning, preparation, emotional support, and signposting to alternative Hearing Link Services (HLS) where appropriate.
- Provide behavioural guidance and targeted interventions to maintain healthy, successful partnerships.
Connection – Building Community and Networks:
- Organise and attend local community events to strengthen relationships and engagement.
- Deliver peer-based community programmes that bring together partnerships and Peer Support Volunteers to share experiences, insights, and encouragement.
- Facilitate support groups for hearing dog partnerships, encouraging shared learning, problem-solving, and mutual encouragement.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams, volunteers, and external agencies—including support workers, local councils, employers, and veterinary practices—to remove barriers and improve outcomes.
- Advocate Partnership Volunteer Updates to maintain volunteer engagement and connection.
Confidence – Empowering Partnerships to Flourish:
- Focus on quality of service and partnership outcomes, adapting support levels to meet individual needs.
- Provide timely emergency cover and practical assistance within the allocated territory, with ad hoc support to neighbouring counties as required.
- Conduct thorough root cause analysis to identify underlying issues and implement early interventions through targeted coaching and problem-solving.
- Apply person-centred, evidence-based decision-making to manage partnership breakdowns, returns, cases, and alerts effectively.
- Conduct annual assessments of each partnerships performance and wellbeing to review ongoing requirements and verify continued compliance with accreditation standards.
- Keep partnership records accurate, current, and reflective of evolving needs.
- Capture and share impactful stories to showcase the value and outcomes of our work.
- Maintain and continually develop expertise in hearing loss, assistive technology, hearing awareness, dog training, and canine wellbeing.
- Join team events, meetings, and training at regional locations and Hearing Dogs centres, with occasional overnight stays to connect, learn, and collaborate.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
You will need full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel within and around Borders, East, North East and Highlands, and to our centres.
Knowledge:
- Canine Behaviour & Training: Up-to-date knowledge of canine training practices, behaviour reinforcement, and emotional wellbeing support.
- Task-Related Assessment: Ability to monitor and evaluate a dog’s task performance, identifying and addressing lapses.
- Hearing Loss & Deaf Awareness: BSL Level 2 or above with strong Deaf awareness.
- Partnership Development: Understanding of person-centred support approaches and the user experience throughout the partnership lifecycle.
- Organisational Policies & Standards: Knowledge of HR policies, GDPR, equality legislation, and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standards.
Skills:
- Behavioural Guidance: Provide advice on maintaining and reinforcing behaviours, resolving challenges, and refining training plans.
- Listening & Empathy: Demonstrate strong listening skills, emotional intelligence, and compassion, especially when working with vulnerable people or those experiencing grief.
- Relationship Building: Establish and maintain trust-based relationships with partnerships, volunteers, and stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Apply solution-focused methods, coaching, and mentoring to resolve partnership or task issues.
- Root Cause Analysis: Identify and address recurring challenges by working with internal teams on sustainable solutions.
- Time Management & Organisation: Manage multiple partnerships and initiatives effectively, meeting deadlines and priorities.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work productively with colleagues across different departments and functions.
- Communication: Adapt communication style for different audiences; communicate clearly across teams, stakeholders, and volunteers.
- Storytelling: Create engaging communications about partnership journeys for updates and stakeholder engagement.
- Driving: Hold a valid driving licence and be able to travel within the allocated territory.
Behaviours:
- Self-Conduct: Lead and motivate others, holding self and others accountable while maintaining professionalism.
- Person-Centred Mindset: Tailor support and training to the unique needs, learning styles, and abilities of each partnership.
- Community Building: Foster a sense of belonging by creating opportunities for partnerships and volunteers to connect and collaborate.
- Accountability & Reliability: Deliver on commitments, meeting organisational and partnership expectations.
- Continuous Learning: Maintain professional development in canine behaviour, hearing loss, and assistive technologies.
- Professionalism: Act respectfully, reliably, and with integrity in all interactions
Benefits:
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Death in Service Payment
- Annual leave enhancements recognising long service
- Day off for your birthday
- Defined contribution group personal pension plan
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Eye care
- Hearing tests
- Learning and Development opportunities
- Discounts on merchandise at Hearing Dog gift shops
- Pet Dog Policy
Closing date: 23rd October 2026.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 due to its duties involving the protection of children and/or adults at risk. Applicants are therefore required to disclose all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, warnings, and reprimands, as well as any relevant non-conviction information. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Police Act 1997 (Part V).
