Job Specifications
Programme Manager (2x Vacancies) - Innovation and Business team
Reporting to: Head of KQ Labs
Contact term: This is a full-time, fixed term (1 year) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
Salary for this Role: From £53,685 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
This role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in-office to fulfil responsibilities.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
KQ Labs
KQ Labs is a major initiative supporting early-stage, data-driven health start-ups from across the UK. Backed by partners including the Wellcome Trust, Innovate UK, and Genomics England, the programme helps position London’s Knowledge Quarter as a global centre for health innovation. Now in its eighth year, KQ Labs provides funding, mentoring, expert workshops and investor connections to ten companies each year, building a thriving alumni network of over 70 start-ups. The initiative has also expanded to include TechBio Boost, supporting later-stage companies, and NG Studios, helping northern university spinouts, alongside the PULSE bootcamp for emerging life science entrepreneurs.
About the role
We’re seeking a dynamic individual with proven programme management and delivery experience. With a proactive, solutions-focused approach and a strong grasp of the innovation ecosystem, you’ll bring a genuine passion for empowering early-stage entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.
What you will be doing
Lead delivery of KQ accelerator programmes (e.g. KQ Labs, TechBio Boost) from outreach to Demo Day, ensuring smooth execution and great participant experience.
Shape and refine programme design, content and delivery to drive innovation and impact.
Build strong relationships with founders, offering mentoring, guidance and strategic connections to support growth and funding.
Collaborate with partners such as the BioIndustry Association, universities and investors to expand networks and strengthen the UK’s health innovation ecosystem.
Deliver engaging workshops, panel and events, keeping content relevant and forward-looking.
Work across teams to ensure seamless operations and deliver key moments like Demo Days and alumni events.
Full Job Description for Programme Manager - TechBio Boost, PULSE, Ecosystem and Events
Full Job Description for Programme Manager - KQ Labs and Northern Gritstone
You will have:
(Minimum criteria *)
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, and Collegial, in addition to the following:
Essential:
Experience in working with early-stage scientific or health ventures.*
Proven ability to lead and manage structured programmes with multiple stakeholders.*
Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.*
Confident communicator – demonstrable experience presenting, facilitating workshops and writing for diverse audiences.*
Proactive, self-motivated and flexible to support events outside standard hours.
Desirable:
MSc/PhD in life sciences, biomedical or data/computer sciences (or equivalent experience).
Knowledge of commercialisation or clinical validation pathways.
Familiarity with the UK venture and innovation ecosystem.
Passion for data-driven health innovation and entrepreneurship.
About Working at the Crick
Our values
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!
We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.
We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.
We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regard
About the Company
The Crick is a distinctive biomedical research institute. We’re committed to advancing, promoting, and sharing understanding of human health and disease. We do that by attracting talented and ambitious people from all disciplines and backgrounds and giving them the support and freedom they need to succeed. Inside the Crick, you’ll discover scientists working to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Their research holds the key to answering fundamental questions about human health and disease. Our bold...
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