Head of KQ Labs

Location: Greater London

** Salary for this Role:
** From £89,585 p.a. subject to skills and experience
*
* Job Title:

** Head of KQ Labs
*
* Reports to:

** David Allen
** Closing Date:
** 01/Feb/ GMT
*
* Job Description:

**** Head of KQ Labs – Innovation and Business team (Job Advert)
**
* Reports to:

Director of Translation
**** This is a full-time, 2-year fixed term appointment on Crick Terms and Conditions
****** Salary:
From £90,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
*** 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 Medicines Discovery Catapult, Cancer Research Horizons and Genomics England, as well as past partners Innovate UK, Wellcome Trust and Life Arc, 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 Tech Bio Boost, supporting later-stage companies, and NG Studios, helping northern university spinouts, alongside the PULSE bootcamp for emerging life science entrepreneurs.
** About the role
** The Head of KQ Labs will lead the strategic development and delivery of KQ labs and its associated programmes, shaping its short, medium and long-term vision within the wider health innovation ecosystem. You will ensure the effective allocation of financial and human resources, oversee programme delivery, and drive future growth and funding. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on execution – requiring creativity, ambition and a deep understanding of start-up challenges.

You will play a pivotal role in maintaining KQ Labs’ reputation as a world-class accelerator for data-driven health innovation.
** What you will be doing**
* ** Strategy and Programme Management:
** Develop and deliver the short, medium and long-term strategy for KQ Labs, including sustainable funding plans. Oversee and continuously improve the core accelerator and related programmes (Tech Bio, Boost, NG Studios), ensuring high-quality cohorts, impactful mentoring and measurable outcomes.
* ** Community Building:
** Grow and engage the KQ Labs alumni network through events, workshops and mentoring. Lead marketing and communications to strengthen the KQ Labs brand and thought leadership within the data-driven health ecosystem.
* ** Partnerships and Stakeholder Management:
** Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners and funders, including government bodies, investors, corporates, and academic institutions. Actively engage investors and industry leaders to support participating and alumni companies.
* ** Team Leadership and Operational Oversight:
** Lead and develop the KQ Labs team, oversee budgets, reporting, and programme delivery and ensure effective operational systems and communications.
* ** Financial Management:
** Secure and manage resources to deliver current and future programmes, including oversight of start-up funding and engagement with finance…