Chief Innovation Officer

Kemioconsulting; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

KEMIO Consulting is partnering with a growing UK-based molecular diagnostics company to appoint an Interim Chief Innovation Officer. The role leads a critical transformation of the organisation’s innovation function, strengthening scientific and technical capabilities and defining a clear growth strategy.

The successful candidate will report to the CEO, sit on the Executive Leadership Team, and drive delivery of a 24-month roadmap, portfolio governance and capability development across R&D,

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within Molecular Diagnostics, Genomics, IVD, Precision Medicine or related Life Sciences sectors.
• Track record of transforming or scaling R&D, product development or innovation functions.
• Experience progressing diagnostic technologies through development, validation, regulatory readiness and commercialisation.
• Strong understanding of bioinformatics, computational biology and associated technical infrastructure.
• Proven ability to evaluate scientific portfolios, allocate resources and make difficult strategic decisions.
• Experience converting scientific innovation, IP and technology into tangible commercial and patient outcomes.
• Strong executive leadership, stakeholder management and organisational change capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Define the Innovation Strategy and a 24-month innovation roadmap.
• Lead organisational transformation, capability development and recruitment as needed.
• Strengthen bioinformatics, data engineering and software development capabilities.
• Establish robust governance, portfolio management and product development processes.
• Improve operational effectiveness, accountability and delivery against milestones.

Skills

Executive leadership

Transformation leadership

Stakeholder management

Organisational change

Portfolio governance

R&D / Innovation leadership

Strategic decision-making

Commercialisation expertise

Job description

Executive Leadership | Transformation | Innovation Strategy

An opportunity to lead the next phase of innovation within a growing molecular diagnostics business.

KEMIO Consulting is partnering with an established and ambitious UK-based molecular diagnostics company experiencing strong commercial momentum and increasing demand for its innovative diagnostic technologies.

We are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) to lead a critical transformation of the organisation’s innovation function, strengthen its scientific and technical capabilities, and establish a clear strategy for future growth.

The business has an established portfolio of cancer diagnostics technologies and significant ambitions to advance non-invasive, based testing and multi-cancer early detection.

This is a hands-on executive leadership appointment, requiring someone who can combine scientific credibility, strategic vision and the ability to deliver meaningful organisational change.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO and operating as part of the Executive Leadership Team, you will take ownership of three critical priorities:

• Define the Innovation Strategy
• Develop a focused, commercially aligned 24-month innovation roadmap.
• Evaluate existing diagnostic technologies, development programmes and emerging opportunities.
• Identify opportunities across molecular diagnostics, precision medicine and early cancer detection.
• Prioritise investment, partnerships, licensing and product development opportunities.
• Translate scientific innovation into measurable patient and commercial value.
• Transform the R&D and Innovation Function
• Assess existing scientific, technical and leadership capabilities.
• Lead organisational transformation, capability development and recruitment where required.
• Evaluate and strengthen bioinformatics, data engineering and software development capabilities.
• Establish robust portfolio management, governance and product development processes.
• Improve operational effectiveness, accountability and delivery against strategic milestones.
• Define the future leadership structure and capabilities required to support growth.
• Support the identification and appointment of permanent innovation leadership.
• Build a sustainable operating model that enables continued scientific and commercial success.

What We’re Looking For

We are particularly interested in senior executives who can demonstrate:

Significant leadership experience within Molecular Diagnostics, Genomics, IVD, Precision Medicine or related Life Sciences sectors.

A track record of successfully transforming or scaling R&D, product development or innovation functions.

Experience progressing diagnostic technologies through development, validation, regulatory readiness and commercialisation.

Strong understanding of bioinformatics, computational biology and associated technical infrastructure.

Proven ability to evaluate scientific portfolios, allocate resources and make difficult strategic decisions.

Experience converting scientific innovation, intellectual property and technology into tangible commercial and patient outcomes.

Strong executive leadership, stakeholder management and organisational change capabilities.

The First 90 Days

This is a delivery-focused assignment with clear expectations:

• Day 30: Complete organisational, scientific and technical capability assessments.
• Day 60: Present a prioritised 24-month innovation strategy and investment recommendations.
• Day 90: Secure executive approval and implement the new operating framework, organisational improvements and succession strategy.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to make a significant and measurable impact within a business operating at the forefront of molecular diagnostics and cancer detection.

You will have the authority to influence scientific direction, reshape technical capabilities and establish an innovation strategy that supports both patient outcomes and long-term commercial growth.