Head of Data Partnerships & Operations

Life Science Recruitment; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Science Recruitment's client, a high-growth AI biotech startup in Ireland, seeks an operational leader to own the Data & R&D Partnership Lifecycle from end to end. This is a permanent role with hybrid working.

You will source, open, and execute data partnerships with biobanks, academic institutes, data vendors, and funded consortia, translating agreements into delivered outcomes. Ideal candidates demonstrate ownership, builder mindset, contracting fluency, and the ability to discuss

Qualifications

• Proven ownership of complex projects from contract to final delivery.
• Experience building a function, program, or process from scratch.
• Familiarity with research ethics, institutional approvals, IP agreements, and DTAs.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, opening, and managing top-of-funnel research data partnerships.
• Overseeing contracting, ethics approvals, IP, and data transfer agreements.
• Managing end-to-end operational execution of partnerships and deliverables.
• Designing and running an operational framework for partner accountability.

Skills

Ownership

Builder mindset

Contracting fluency

Scientific literacy

High energy

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Our client are a high-growth AI biotech startup using cutting-edge computational models for pre-clinical drug discovery are currently seeking an operational leader to own their Data & R&D Partnership Lifecycle from end to end. This is a permanent role with hybrid working.

This is not a traditional commercial sales or business development role. Instead, your "hunting instinct" will focus entirely on sourcing, opening, and executing research and data relationships with biobanks, academic institutes, data vendors, and funded consortia. You will build and run the operational engine that translates agreements into delivered outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Sourcing & Origination: Identify, initiate, and open top-of-funnel research relationships and data partnerships to feed AI models.
• Contracting & Compliance: Navigate complex institutional environments, overseeing ethics approvals, institutional sign-offs, IP agreements, and data transfer agreements (DTAs).
• End-to-End Operational Execution: Manage biological sample logistics, research collaboration deliverables, and grant timelines).
• Process Building: Design, implement, and run the operational framework that keeps external partners and internal scientific teams accountable to strict delivery dates.

What our client is looking for

• True Ownership: A proven track record of taking complex projects from initial contract to final delivery, holding full accountability for both timelines and partner relationships.
• Builder Mindset: Direct experience building a function, program, or operational process from scratch without relying on pre-existing templates.
• Contracting & Regulatory Fluency: Deep familiarity with research ethics, institutional approvals, material/data transfer, and research collaboration contracts.
• Scientific Literacy: Ability to hold high-level technical conversations with Principal Investigators, computational biologists, and university research offices.
• High Energy & Drive: Comfortable working dynamically in a fast-paced environment where you build the operational layer while running it.

Ideal Backgrounds

• Tech Transfer & Research Contracting: University TTOs, research institutes, or licensing managers with strong institutional negotiation experience.
• CRO & Clinical Study Operations: Managers experienced in study start-up, sample coordination, vendor management, and multi-site project delivery.
• Consortium & Grant Management: Leaders who have coordinated multi-partner academic/industry research programs.
• Scientific Operations / Commercialisation: PhDs or operators in health-tech, medical innovation, or biotech operations.