Head of Research and Development Partnerships
Includes some travel to the Nottingham Support Office

This role is a member of the Research leadership team in the No7 Beauty Company and is responsible for developing outstanding partnerships with that work with our own scientists to create competitively advantaged capabilities that delivers innovation. Science is at the heart of our business and this role is key to enabling access to broad bases of scientific innovation and expertise that can nurture growth. The role reports to the Global Research Director and will be an influential member of a highly motivated and experienced leadership team. The commercial aspects of this role will complement the current scientific expertise.

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Builds and leads a global technology scouting network, including scouting partners, brokers and agencies, in key markets to seek out new technology opportunities.
• Creates a network of partners that provides reach across global markets, delivering a range of potential opportunities from those that we can activate quickly to long term opportunities.
• Leads a range of partnership approaches including industry / supply chain alliances, technology incubators / accelerators and university research partnerships.
• Responsible for leveraging science and technology foresight to create future business opportunities.

About you

• Strong commercial acumen and consumer focus. Able to identify potential commercial opportunities from new science or partners. Ideally experience of working with scientists and research teams to create commercially successful innovation.
• A science background or first degree in biosciences, chemistry or physical sciences is advantageous.
• Strategic thinker who can translate business aims into a partnership strategy.
• Relevant experience of working in an Open Innovation team or environment where external partnership is key to business results.
• Excellent relationship builder who can be a credible representative of the No7 Beauty Company in science and technology networks.
• Action orientated – works collaboratively and with pace to create commercial opportunities.

Benefits

We have a great range of benefits* that go beyond salary and offer flexibility to suit you:

• Competitive holiday allowance (with the option to buy more days)
• Retirement Savings Plan pension scheme
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption leave pay
• £100 gift card for colleagues expecting/adopting a baby
• Flexible benefits scheme (via salary sacrifice) including financial wellbeing support, gym membership, holiday buying, dental cover, life assurance, restaurant discount cards, activity passes and much more (exclusions may apply, eligible roles only)
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme offering free, independent and confidential counselling and support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Generous staff discount (with enhanced discounts for Boots brands, Boot Opticians and Boots Hearingcare)
• Access to corporate third-party discounts, including retail, cinema, holidays and more (UK only)
• Access to a range of learning and development resources and programmes
• Excellent onsite facilities including: staff shop, opticians, gym, coffee shops, cafeteria, outdoor seating spaces, dry cleaning service and excellent travel links including on campus bus stops

*All rewards and benefits are subject to change and eligibility