Our client in the healthcare and life sciences sector is seeking a Strategic Programme Manager to join the team for an initial 8-week engagement.

You will lead the strategic setup of a new multi-year innovation programme, focusing on shaping its scope, securing funding pathways, and establishing high-value relationships with senior stakeholders across investors, academia, and partners. You will work closely with the executive team to design the programme framework and position it for long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Shape the strategic design, structure, and roadmap for the new innovation programme.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including building investor relationships and developing compelling pitches.
• Prepare bid materials, grant applications, and funding proposals.
• Engage senior stakeholders across government, academia, healthcare providers, and industry.
• Build and nurture a strong coalition of partners to support programme launch and long-term sustainability.
• Develop a strategic narrative and value proposition to support external engagement.
• Identify opportunities for growth across healthcare, university health programmes, sustainability, deeptech, and innovation ecosystems.
• Produce recommendations on governance, delivery model, and future programme phases.

Requirements

• Background with a top-tier consulting firm, with strong strategic and analytical capability.
• Proven experience in designing or setting up healthcare, life sciences, or university health programmes.
• Strong track record in fund raising, investor engagement, grant writing, and bid development.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to influence senior government, academic and industry leaders.
• Demonstrated understanding of innovation ecosystems, sustainability, and deeptech commercialisation.
• Highly educated, with exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Able to work at pace and deliver high-quality strategic outputs within a short timeframe.

Details

• Start date: ASAP
• Duration: 8 weeks, with potential to extend
• Day rate: £700 - £800, depending on experience
• Location: Cambridge 3 days per week