Head of Strategy and Partnership Development

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in SC1 London – one of London’s major health and life sciences innovation districts.

Working within a small, dynamic team, the Head of Strategy and Partnership Development (Health and Life Sciences) will lead the activation and delivery of SC1 London’s two-year catalyst strategy, working across seven founding partners and the wider health and life sciences ecosystem of London .

You will connect leaders and organisations across the NHS, universities, local government, charities and industry, turning the partnership’s shared ambition s into reality: S trengthen ing innovation across the district’s three world-class clusters in London Bridge, Waterloo and Denmark Hill , driving inclusive economic and positioning SC1 London as a premier destination for health and life sciences.

We are looking for an experienced strategic leader who can operate confidently across organisational boundaries, navigate complexity of multi-organisation partnerships and translate strategy into impactful delivery. You will bring substantial health and life sciences experience and a strong track record of building partnerships, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering complex programmes.

You will lead delivery of SC1 London’s catalyst strategy, working closely with the SC1 London Board, founding partners and wider ecosystem to turn strategic priorities into action and demonstra ble impact.

You will develop SC1 London’s health and life sciences partnership model and identify opportunities that bring organisations together around shared priorities, such as strategic partnerships, innovation initiatives and joint funding opportunities.

You will develop the activity plan and impact framework for year two of the catalyst strategy , working with the SC1 London team and presenting to and gaining approval from the SC1 London Board.

You will provide high-quality strategic advice and briefings to senior leaders, contribute to SC1 London and partner Board s , oversee delivery against the strategy’s impact framework, manage relevant resources and budgets, and represent SC1 London with partners locally, nationally and internationally.

SC1 London is a health and life sciences innovation district in south central London. The district is a unique ecosystem of people, places and partners dedicated to world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, all in the heart of the UK’s capital.

SC1 London has seven founding partners: Lambeth Council, Southwark Council, Guys & St Thomas Foundation, and Kings Health Partners (which is formed of King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts). As we build momentum as one of London’s innovation districts, this is an exciting time to join SC1 London. Responding to the National Industrial Strategy, London Growth Plan, London Local Improvement Skills Plan (LSIP ) and Life Sciences Jobs Plan, SC1 London has the opportunity to support the delivery of national and regional agendas for inclusive growth.

Together, we are developing a globally recognised health and life sciences innovation district across three distinctive clusters: The BioMed cluster at London Bridge , MedTech cluster at Waterloo and Mental Health and Neuroscience cluster at Denmark Hill.

Our catalyst strategy was published in June 2026 and the focus is now firmly on impact and delivery , demonstrating the contribution our ecosystem can make to London and the UK.

The post is hosted by King’s Health Partners, with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust as the formal employer.

As Head of Strategy and Partnership Development (Health and Life Sciences) , you will:

Lead activation and delivery of SC1 London’s two-year catalyst strategy and oversee progress against its activity plan and impact framework.

Develop SC1 London’s health and life sciences partnership model, building effective relationships across public, academic, charitable and commercial organisations.

Work across the seven founding partners and three innovation clusters to identify and mobilise collaborative programmes, strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

Provide strategic advice, briefings and recommendations to the SC1 London Board and senior leaders, including for engagement with policymakers, investors and external partners.

Build strong relationships across London’s health and life sciences ecosystem, including SMEs and other innovation districts.

Translate national, regional and local policy and growth priorities into opportunities for SC1 London and its partners.

Lead complex cross-organisational programmes, using influence, negotiation and excellent political judgement to build consensus and deliver results.

Manage relevant resources and budgets and ensure robust monitoring of delivery and impact.