Interim Chief Executive Officer

Hira Ni; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HIRANI, a not-for-profit alliance in Northern Ireland, seeks an Interim Chief Executive Officer to guide the organisation through a transition, ensure delivery of commitments and shape a sustainable future with the Board and stakeholders. The role involves a hybrid work pattern, travel, and engagement with government, industry, and academia.

The successful candidate will bring senior leadership in Life and Health Sciences, with credibility across public and private sectors, and a proven track

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within Life and Health Sciences or related sectors.
• Experience working with government, industry, academia and investors.
• Proven ability to develop strategic options and implementation plans.
• Strong governance, risk management and decision-making skills.
• Credibility to represent an organisation at senior levels with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership continuity during transition and ensure delivery of commitments.
• Lead strategic options and recommendations for the Board with robust business cases.
• Oversee delivery against KPIs, budgets and audit requirements.
• Manage stakeholder engagement across government, industry, academia and health sectors.
• Represent HIRANI at senior meetings and public-facing engagements.

Skills

Senior leadership

Commercial leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Governance

Job description

• The Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI)
• Hybrid
• Not Disclosed
• 12-month fixed-term appointment, with potential extension subject to funding and Board approval

Closing date 12 noon on Wednesday 7 th October 2026
Must be available for interview on 19 th October 2026

THE OPPORTUNITY

HIRANI is seeking a credible, commercially aware and collaborative leader to provide continuity through an important period of transition, deliver current commitments and work with the Board and stakeholders to define a sustainable future direction.

Commitment: 3 to 5 days per week, with flexibility by agreement

Appointment route: Direct fixed-term employment or secondment arrangement

Location: Northern Ireland; hybrid working with regular stakeholder engagement and travel

Reporting to: Chair and Board of HIRANI

Renumeration: Competitive and commensurate with experience; pro rata where applicable

APPLICATION DETAILS

Closing date: 12 noon on Wednesday 7 th October

The Health Innovation Research Alliance Northern Ireland (HIRANI) is a not-for-profit organisation that brings together industry, health, academia and government to accelerate innovation, research, investment and growth across Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector.

HIRANI acts as a trusted convenor across the ecosystem, enabling collaboration between businesses, healthcare providers, universities, researchers, investors and policy makers. It supports sector development, connects partners to opportunities and helps translate shared ambition into practical programmes and outcomes.

The role

The Interim Chief Executive Officer will provide visible and effective leadership during a period of organisational transition. The postholder will maintain staff stability and delivery of HIRANI’s existing commitments, while working closely with the Board, funders and stakeholders to clarify HIRANI’s future positioning, operating model and funding base.

This is both a delivery-focused and strategic leadership role. The successful candidate will bring commercial experience in the life and health sciences sector, a strong cross-sector network across Northern Ireland, and a proven ability to deliver complex programmes and develop practical, evidence-based options for Board consideration. They will also have the credibility and strategic influence to represent HIRANI at the highest levels of government, industry, academia, and healthcare, building support for an ambitious vision for life and health sciences innovation in Northern Ireland.

Flexible appointment model

Applications are welcomed from candidates seeking a substantive fixed-term appointment or a secondment from another organisation. The role may be undertaken on a three to five-day-per-week basis, provided the proposed arrangement enables effective leadership, stakeholder availability and delivery of agreed outcomes. Any external interests or continuing responsibilities must be declared and managed transparently.

Purpose of the appointment

• Provide leadership continuity and support the HIRANI team through the CEO transition.
• Ensure delivery of current programmes, contractual commitments, objectives and agreed KPIs.
• Lead an inclusive review of HIRANI’s strategic positioning within the Northern Ireland Life and Health Sciences ecosystem.
• Develop realistic options for a sustainable funding model and the organisation’s potential next phase.
• Strengthen alignment and relationships across government, health, academia, industry, investors, funders and SMEs.
• Provide clear recommendations to the Board on future strategy, operating model, governance and leadership needs.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership and Board support

• Lead HIRANI through a period of transition with clarity, pace, integrity and sound judgement.
• Work with the Board to assess HIRANI’s future role, strategic priorities and contribution to the wider ecosystem.
• Develop well-evidenced strategic options, recommendations and implementation plans for Board consideration.
• Build constructive alignment among stakeholders with different perspectives, mandates and priorities.
• Provide timely, transparent reporting to the Board on performance, finance, risk, opportunities and material decisions.

Operational delivery and team leadership

• Lead, support and develop the HIRANI team, setting clear priorities, accountabilities and ways of working.
• Maintain delivery against funded commitments, organisational plans, KPIs and audit requirements.
• Oversee resources, budgets, risk and organisational performance within the authorities delegated by the Board.
• Ensure effective internal and external communications and maintain organisational resilience during the transition.
• Measure and communicate the outcomes and impact of HIRANI’s activities.

Programmes and ecosystem support

• Guide delivery of innovation resources, bespoke support, funding activity, workshops and partnership programmes for SMEs and ecosystem partners.
• Provide strategic oversight of key initiatives, including mentoring, clinical entrepreneurship, regulatory engagement, cross-sector and cross-border programmes.
• Lead strategic sponsorship, positioning and planning for Health-Tech Spring 2027, including programme quality, stakeholder engagement and income generation.
• Ensure HIRANI’s activity remains responsive to barriers affecting Life and Health Sciences research, development, commercialisation and adoption.

Funding and sustainability

• Develop and begin implementation of a credible multi-year funding and sustainability strategy.
• Identify and pursue appropriate public, private, sponsorship, partnership and collaborative funding opportunities.
• Package compelling propositions and business cases for funders, industry and strategic partners.
• Align ecosystem need and HIRANI’s role as lead, convenor or partner in future funding bids and programmes.
• Advise the Board on financial scenarios, dependencies and options for the next phase of the organization.

Stakeholder engagement and representation

• Act as HIRANI’s principal executive representative and ambassador.
• Maintain and strengthen trusted relationships across industry, SMEs, academia, healthcare, government, investors, professional bodies and funders.
• Represent SME and ecosystem interests credibly in strategic discussions, including the developing Health and Economy partnership agenda.
• Represent HIRANI at senior meetings, events and policy forums and communicate relevant opportunities and thought leadership to sector audiences.

Indicative outcomes for the 12-month term

The precise objectives and measures will be agreed with the Board on appointment and should reflect the time commitment and appointment model. Indicative outcomes are:

First 90 days

Establish effective leadership arrangements; confirm delivery priorities and risk controls; complete a structured stakeholder listening exercise; assess HIRANI’s operating position, commitments and immediate funding outlook.

By six months

Present strategic and organisational options to the Board; agree a developing sustainability and funding plan; demonstrate progress against existing commitments and priority partnerships.

By 12 months

Deliver a Board-approved strategic roadmap and implementation priorities; provide a clear funding pipeline and investment plan; recommend future operating, governance and leadership arrangements; maintain successful delivery of agreed programmes and KPIs.

Person specification

Applicants should use specific examples to demonstrate how they meet the criteria.

Equivalent experience and transferable evidence will be considered where relevant.

AREA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

Senior leadership Significant senior leadership experience, with accountability for organisational or multi-programme delivery, people, resources and outcomes. Experience as a CEO, Managing Director, Executive Director or equivalent; experience leading through transition, growth or transformation.

Life and Health Sciences credibility Substantial strategic, commercial or innovation experience in Life and Health Sciences, such as medtech, diagnostics, biotech, pharma or a closely related sector, sufficient to engage credibly with senior industry, scientific, clinical and investor stakeholders. Experience gained across the UK and/or Ireland; knowledge of Northern Ireland’s ecosystem.

Commercial and innovation insight Strong understanding of how Life and Health Sciences organisations develop propositions, generate income, attract investment and bring products, services or innovations towards market and adoption. Entrepreneurial leadership; direct responsibility for commercial income or new revenue lines.

Strategy and delivery Demonstrable ability to translate strategy into prioritised, resourced plans, measures and accountable delivery within a fixed funding period. Experience reviewing or repositioning an organisation, partnership, cluster or programme.

Programme leadership Experience leading complex, multi-strand programmes while maintaining strategic coherence, quality, governance and measurable outcomes. Experience with accelerators, SME support, regulation, business development, clinical innovation or cross-border programmes.

Partnerships and influence Track record of building strategic alliances and aligning senior stakeholders across multiple sectors, including public and private interests. Established relationships across government, health, academia, industry, investors, funders or trade bodies.

Funding and sustainability Experience developing funding propositions, business cases, investment opportunities, sponsorships or strategic partnerships. Track record of securing external investment, grant funding, sponsorship or partnership income.

Governance and judgement Experience working effectively with a Board or senior governance structure, with sound judgement, integrity, transparency and an understanding of risk and accountability. Experience of public-sector funding mechanisms or working in a publicly funded environment.

Communication and representation Excellent written, verbal, facilitation and influencing skills, with the credibility to represent an organisation publicly and at senior level. Thought leadership, event leadership or communication across sector, policy and investment audiences.

Digital capability Confident use of modern digital tools for collaboration, analysis, reporting and communication, including Microsoft applications and responsible use of AI-assisted tools. Experience using data and analytics to support decisions and communicate impact.

Terms and appointment arrangements

• The appointment is offered for 12 months, with any extension subject to organisational need, funding and Board approval.
• The role may be structured as a direct fixed-term appointment or an agreed secondment from another employer.
• Applications are invited for a commitment of three to five days per week. Remuneration, objectives and availability expectations will be agreed pro rata where applicable.
• The successful candidate must be able to devote sufficient time and flexibility to staff leadership, Board engagement, external representation and delivery at key points in the year.
• Any continuing employment, office, consultancy, Board role or other external interest must be disclosed. Appropriate conflict-of-interest, confidentiality and recusal arrangements will be agreed before appointment.
• The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, evidence of the right to work in the UK and any other proportionate pre-employment checks.
• A curriculum vitae, normally no more than three pages.
• A supporting statement, normally no more than two pages, explaining your interest and providing evidence against the essential criteria.
• A brief note confirming your proposed working pattern (three, four or five days per week) and whether you are applying for direct employment or a secondment.
• Details of two referees, one of whom should normally be your current or most recent employer. Referees will not be contacted without prior agreement.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a structured interview on Monday 19 th October and may be asked to give a short presentation or respond to a role-related scenario. Selection will be based on evidence against the published criteria and the requirements of the role.

Equal opportunity and accessibility

HIRANI welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates and is committed to a fair, transparent and merit-based selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout the recruitment process. Applicants requiring an adjustment should contact HIRANI directly for appropriate arrangements.

This document describes the principal responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is not exhaustive. Priorities may be refined by the Board following appointment, in consultation with the postholder, to reflect organisational needs, funding conditions and the agreed working pattern.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK