We are recruiting for a Head of Health Innovation

Overview

At Challenge Works, we design and run challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society. We are part of Nesta, the research and innovation foundation. Our challenge prizes offer a series of incentives in return for solving a defined challenge, creating breakthrough innovations, helping innovators thrive, and unlocking systemic change. We are innovation experts, embedded in science, technology and entrepreneurship. We are problem-centred, drawing on insights from lived experience and sector experts to create positive change. We are thought leaders in using innovation to drive impact. We have run over 100 challenge prizes awarding over £370m on behalf of public, private and philanthropic funders around the world.

Our global health projects are complex with a high public profile, having a significant impact on the lives of many thousands of people. They involve working with an exciting mix of health-tech entrepreneurs, researchers, global health charities, civil society organisations, and government bodies. Key programmes in our health portfolio include the £10m Longitude Prize for AMR, the Longitude Prize on Dementia, and the Longitude Prize for ALS.

Challenge Works is hiring a Head of Health Innovation to develop and deliver a portfolio of challenge prizes that lead to transformational health outcomes.

You will work with the Executive Director to bring together funders, innovators, researchers, governments and other partners to accelerate breakthroughs that could transform health outcomes at scale. This is a role for someone who sees opportunities where others see complexity — and who wants to turn those opportunities into real-world impact.

Responsibilities

This role requires a driven, impact orientated and entrepreneurial approach.

Opportunity Development

• Spot emerging health challenges where innovation could be transformative.
• Work with the ED to identify new opportunities for ambitious challenge prizes.
• Develop compelling propositions that demonstrate how challenge prizes can unlock innovation and deliver measurable impact.
• Build relationships with ambitious organisations, funders and partners internationally.
• Generate and develop business development opportunities, turning early ideas into funded, high-impact programmes.

Delivering Impact

• You will oversee a portfolio of major health challenges, ensuring they deliver exceptional outcomes for funders, innovators and end beneficiaries.
• Lead and support teams delivering complex, high-profile health challenge prizes.
• Oversee relationships with funders and clients, ensuring their ambitions translate into effective programmes and lasting impact.
• Build strong relationships with innovators, scientific partners, investors and other stakeholders.
• Ensure programmes have the right strategy, governance, communications, budgets and delivery plans to succeed.

Thought Leadership

• You will be Challenge Works’ senior health innovation expert, helping to understand where health innovation is heading — and where it could go next.
• Build a strong network across academia, industry, government, philanthropy and the wider health ecosystem.
• Engage leading thinkers and organisations to understand emerging priorities, unmet needs and barriers to innovation.
• Bring new thinking into Challenge Works and help shape our future health innovation agenda.
• Represent Challenge Works externally as a credible and influential voice on health innovation and challenge prizes.

Leading and empowering people

• You will lead and grow a high-performing health team.
• Create an environment where people have ownership, responsibility and space to thrive.
• Develop and support team members to do their best work.
• Set clear direction while giving people the autonomy to deliver.
• Build a culture that is ambitious, collaborative, curious and focused on impact.

Person Specification

We’re looking for someone who combines deep health insight with entrepreneurial drive, strategic thinking and the ability to make things happen.

• Insightful in health innovation, with relevant experience for example in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, drug discovery or disease prevention
• Empowering team leader with a track record of designing and overseeing large complex projects with ability to multitask while being on top of detail
• Credible and persuasive in developing funder and client relationships, with a track record of securing large scale support and funding for new opportunities
• Adept networker, with demonstrable ability to generate influential relationships in health science ‘futures’, in academia, industry and government
• Keenly entrepreneurial, with the capacity to identify and develop funding and support for new groundbreaking prizes that tackle critical problems in health sector

What we offer

Salary: £79,900-£90,400 plus an array of benefits, including private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more

Location: This role is based in London, Blackfriars, hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of two days in the office

Term: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (open to 30 hours)

Making an application

To apply for this role, please submit your CV & cover letter before 8:00am on the 16th of November.

Interviews will take place w/c the 23rd of November.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.