UCLPartners
Director of Innovation
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Director of Innovation
Grade 6 | £80,000 - £105,000 per annum
Fixed Term Contract (12 month, Maternity Cover) | Full Time (37.5 hours per week) | Hybrid Working
Shape the Future of Health Innovation
At UCLPartners, we are health innovation specialists. We bring together the NHS, universities, industry, and communities to transform healthcare through innovation. We identify, test, evaluate, and scale solutions that improve outcomes for patients, citizens, and health systems. We connect expertise, forge partnerships, and help deliver healthcare fit for the future.
We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Innovation to join our senior leadership team at a pivotal time in our journey.
This is a rare opportunity to influence how innovation is developed, tested, adopted, and scaled across one of the UK's leading health innovation organisations. Working closely with NHS leaders, academic institutions, innovators, industry partners, and funders, you will help shape the future of healthcare innovation and deliver lasting impact across our region and beyond.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Director of Innovation will provide strategic leadership for a portfolio of innovation programmes, services, and partnerships.
You will be responsible for ensuring that UCLPartners' innovation activity remains aligned to the needs of our NHS and university partners, delivers measurable impact for patients and populations, and contributes to the long-term sustainability and growth of the organisation.
As a member of the senior leadership team, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of innovation professionals, oversee complex programmes of work, and develop opportunities that enhance UCLPartners' reputation as a leading innovation organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for a portfolio of innovation programmes, services, and partnerships.
- Translate organisational priorities into deliverable business plans and work programmes.
- Ensure programmes are delivered to a high standard, on time, within budget, and achieve measurable impact.
- Build and strengthen relationships with senior leaders across the NHS, academia, industry, and funding organisations.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Identify and secure new opportunities, partnerships, and funding that support organisational growth and sustainability.
- Champion innovation methodologies and approaches that enable the successful adoption and spread of innovation across healthcare systems.
- Represent UCLPartners externally, contributing to national conversations on innovation, transformation, and healthcare improvement.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We are looking for an inspirational and commercially astute leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong delivery focus.
You will bring:
- Significant senior leadership experience within healthcare, innovation, academia, consultancy, life sciences, or a related sector.
- A strong understanding of the NHS and the challenges and opportunities facing health and care systems.
- Experience developing and delivering complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders and partner organisations.
- A proven ability to influence, engage, and build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
- Demonstrable success in securing funding, generating income, and delivering measurable impact.
- Strong financial, operational, and governance capabilities.
- Outstanding communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills.
- A passion for innovation and improving outcomes for patients, populations, and healthcare systems.
Working at UCLPartners
At UCLPartners, we believe that exceptional people create exceptional impact. We are committed to creating an environment where our colleagues can thrive, contribute their best work, and continue to develop professionally. We foster a culture that is collaborative, inclusive, and values-driven, where innovation and continuous learning are encouraged.
We offer:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment.
- Opportunities for professional and personal development.
- Access to a wide network of NHS, academic, industry, and innovation partners.
- The opportunity to work on programmes that make a tangible difference to health outcomes and healthcare delivery.
- A commitment to wellbeing and work-life balance.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Our Values
Everything we do is underpinned by our organisational values:
- Learning: We continuously learn, improve, and share knowledge.
- Leadership: We bring people together and lead change collaboratively.
- Ambition: We are driven by a desire to improve healthcare and achieve meaningful impact.
- Creativity: We embrace innovation, new ideas, and different perspectives.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
UCLPartners is committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute. We actively welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and communities, particularly those currently underrepresented in the health innovation sector. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are inclusive, accessible, and free from discrimination. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation, enriches our thinking, and enhances the impact we can have on the populations and communities we serve.
Application Process
Closing Date: 23 September 2026
Interview Date: To be advised
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
John Craig
Chief Innovation Officer
(john.craig@uclpartners.com)
Transforming healthcare through innovation
UCLPartners is a leading health innovation partnership bringing together NHS organisations, universities, industry, and communities to improve health and care through innovation, quality improvement, research adoption, and system transformation. To learn more about UCLPartners, our work, and our values, please visit www.uclpartners.com.
UCLPartners is committed to safeguarding and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and expects all employees to share this commitment.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Location