Associate Director Health Data Strategy & Partnerships

Planet Pharma; Greater London, Coventry; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking an Associate Director, Health Data Strategy & Partnerships to lead high-impact health data initiatives across healthcare, research and data. This strategic leadership role focuses on identifying opportunities, building partnerships and turning complex concepts into scalable programmes.

The successful candidate will partner with healthcare providers, research organisations and industry partners to shape data-driven healthcare innovation and deliver patient and system

Qualifications

• Significant experience in health data strategy and ecosystem development.
• Proven track record in building partnerships and delivering programmes.
• Experience with real-world data and digital health solutions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and cross-functional leadership.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify strategic opportunities within the health data ecosystem.
• Build and manage senior stakeholder relationships across sectors.
• Lead design and mobilisation of complex health data programmes.
• Define governance structures, milestones and success metrics.
• Oversee risks and dependencies across initiatives.
• Mentor cross-functional teams to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Health data strategy

Real-world evidence

Digital health

Stakeholder management

Partnership development

Programme leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics

Advanced degree preferred (MSc/PhD)

Job description

About the Opportunity

An innovative organisation at the intersection of healthcare, research and data is seeking an Associate Director, Health Data Strategy & Partnerships to drive the development of high-impact health data initiatives.

This is a strategic leadership role focused on identifying opportunities within the health data ecosystem, building partnerships, and transforming complex concepts into scalable programmes that deliver meaningful benefits for patients, healthcare systems and the life sciences industry.

The successful candidate will work across clinical, scientific, commercial and digital functions, engaging with healthcare providers, research organisations, industry partners and technology stakeholders to shape and advance data-driven healthcare innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Health Data Strategy

• Identify, evaluate and develop strategic opportunities within the health data ecosystem.
• Create compelling business cases, programme proposals and investment plans for new initiatives.
• Translate healthcare challenges and market needs into practical, scalable data solutions.
• Support the development of long-term strategies that maximise the value of health data.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across healthcare, industry, research and academic environments.
• Establish strategic partnerships that accelerate innovation and programme delivery.
• Represent the organisation within regional and national health data networks.
• Facilitate collaboration between clinical, technical, commercial and external stakeholders.

Programme Development & Delivery

• Lead the design and mobilisation of complex health data programmes.
• Define governance structures, objectives, milestones and success measures.
• Oversee programme development from concept through implementation.
• Manage risks, dependencies and stakeholder expectations across multiple initiatives.

Data-Driven Research & Innovation

• Support programmes leveraging real-world data, clinical data and healthcare datasets.
• Contribute to initiatives focused on clinical research, patient identification, evidence generation and healthcare innovation.
• Evaluate emerging opportunities across digital health, AI-enabled healthcare solutions and data-driven research.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide subject matter expertise on health data strategy and ecosystem development.
• Influence decision-making at senior leadership level.
• Support organisational growth through strategic planning and partnership development.
• Mentor and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive successful outcomes.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within health data, healthcare strategy, real-world evidence, digital health, clinical research or related fields.
• Proven track record of developing strategic programmes and taking initiatives from concept to implementation.
• Experience working with healthcare data, health informatics, population health, clinical research data or digital health solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management experience across complex, matrixed environments.
• Demonstrated success in partnership development and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.

Preferred Experience

• Understanding of healthcare data governance, interoperability and data access frameworks.
• Experience working with healthcare providers, research institutions, life sciences organisations or health technology companies.
• Exposure to AI, advanced analytics, real-world evidence or digital health innovation.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation or innovation programmes.
• Familiarity with the broader health data ecosystem and emerging healthcare technologies.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics, Life Sciences, Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Public Health, Data Science or a related discipline.
• Advanced degree (MSc, MPH, PhD or equivalent) preferred.

What You’ll Bring

• Strategic mindset with strong commercial awareness.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive initiatives forward.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong programme leadership and organisational capabilities.
• Passion for improving healthcare through innovation, collaboration and the intelligent use of data.