Strategy Lead

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford’s purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems.

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability.

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT Oxford seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in an era of artificial intelligence.

EIT Oxford is investing significant resources in a new world-class research and development facility in the Oxford Science Park. Set for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art campus includes 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and educational and meeting spaces. Together, they create the perfect environment for EIT Oxford experts to take ground-breaking ideas from research to broad implementation. The new facility will further EIT’s current partnership with the University of Oxford and become the new home for Ellison Scholars.

EIT Oxford is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone’s experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity’s most enduring challenges.

We are looking to recruit experienced Strategy Leads with a track record and experience in at least two of the following areas: industry, academia, and government. It would ideally suit a person who has had experience in management consultancy or start-ups and can work in a flexible, project-based and matrixed way.

The Strategy Team is responsible for developing pre-program strategies, maturing them to the point of business case approval, and transitioning programs to their future setup, with a CEO and principal scientist in place. This team will also take responsibility for delivering special projects that arise in EIT that are not defined as programs but are still important to achieve the goals of the institute. The Strategic Project Lead is a senior-level role with management responsibilities, reporting directly to the Head of Strategy (role is being recruited). This position involves leading key initiatives and driving cross-functional collaboration across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive & Team Support: Provide strategic support to leadership by assembling and leading a multidisciplinary team. Develop pre-program strategies and special projects in collaboration with platform and operational teams.
• Project & Innovation Management: Oversee pre-program development and innovation strategies, defining vision, goals, and impact while establishing technical, financial, human resource, and communication frameworks. Coordinate project documentation.
• Stakeholder Communication: Ensure transparent communication with leadership, team members, and external stakeholders through regular updates.
• Team Leadership & Development: Manage and mentor team members, providing direct oversight to support project success.
• Cross-Program Collaboration: Identify opportunities for alignment and synergy between programs and special projects.
• Project Scope & Business Case Development: Lead scope and business case development by engaging experts and partners, orchestrating activities, and driving outcomes.
• Define Vision & Goals: Collaborate with academics and industry experts to align project vision, purpose, and goals with EIT objectives and societal impact.
• Key Scientific & Technical Questions: Identify core challenges, leading projects to address them in partnership with experts and setting the program’s scientific agenda.
• Data & Modelling: Determine data and modelling needs to support the business case and evaluate strategic options.
• Commercialisation Potential: Assess financial sustainability and market viability of developed technologies.
• Competitive Landscape Analysis: Analyze industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Financial Modelling: Develop a financial model incorporating technical insights and expert advice.
• Milestones & Deliverables: Define key milestones, deliverables, and timelines in collaboration with the senior steering committee.
• Determine Resource Requirements: Identify the necessary resources—including budget, part-time and full-time equivalents (FTEs), expertise, and computational needs—from program inception through steady-state operations, consulting with relevant experts.

Essential & Desirable Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• 5+ Years in Relevant Roles: At least 5 years of experience in business development, strategy consulting (internal/external), or a similar role.
• Matrix Management: A minimum of 2 years at a management level, demonstrating leadership and team management skills, including in matrixed environments.
• Startup, scale up, business commercialization experience: Potentially, experience in taking ideas through to commercialized entities ideally from the very early stages, scaled into mid to late stages.
• Scientific Background: Strong understanding of scientific concepts with the ability to collaborate effectively with academics and researchers. The role requires acting as a connector between scientific teams and broader stakeholders, while applying critical thinking to evaluate, refine, and prioritize ideas for development.
• Humane Endeavors Expertise: Deep expertise in at least one of EIT’s four Humane Endeavors is preferred:
• Medical Science & Healthcare
• Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture
• Clean Energy & Climate Change
• Government Innovation

Great to have:

• Cross-Cutting Core Capabilities (Preferred): Proficiency in AI and Machine Learning, policy, and scaling innovations, which are applicable across the Humane Endeavors is advantageous but not necessary.
• Advanced Degree (Preferred): An advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) in business, science/tech/health policy, or a technical field related to one of the four Humane Endeavors is desirable but not essential.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Salary: competitive, dependent on applicant experience + travel allowance + bonus
• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.