4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.
Investment Manager - Life Sciences
Location: Stratford, London (High flex – we’d expect you to be in the office 1 to 2 days a week)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time; 35 hours per week (flexible working requests will be considered)
Salary: £59,000 - £70,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Application Deadline: 12 February 2024
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we we’re looking for someone talented, someone innovative and ambitious, someone like you.
About the team
Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is a powerful innovation engine built to complement and realize the full potential of CRUK’s network of exceptional researchers. CRH is dedicated to the development and commercialisation of innovative oncology research. We accelerate the translation of cutting-edge innovations into treatments, diagnostics, and medical devices by bringing together the expertise, capabilities, and resources of CRUK and its academic network with that of industry partners and investors.
Cancer Research Horizons specialist Ventures team brings together the brightest minds, boldest ideas and best investment partners to build and secure investment for early-stage propositions and companies to fast-track scientific breakthroughs into patient benefit. Core to our ambition is a desire to stimulate spinout creation and growth across therapeutic, diagnostics, MedTech and AI/data-driven solutions. To that end, we currently have an exciting opportunity for an Investment Manager in the Life Sciences to join the Ventures team.
Cancer Research Horizons has an established track record with start-ups, having played a role in the formation of over 70 companies. Our portfolio companies have gone on to raised >£3BN in follow on funding with many having gone on to successful exit events. We have invested heavily to broaden and strengthen our offering to support budding entrepreneurs and early-stage companies including the launch of Cancer Research Horizons Seed Fund and an enhanced entrepreneurial programmes initiative which together, aim to inspire the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs by providing the necessary seed finance and the right advice and mentorship through our dedicated team and external networks to build a business.
What will I be doing?
As an Investment Manager, you will be instrumental in the formation of Cancer Research Horizon’s expanding start-up and investment portfolio. You will work within the Ventures team to actively source, screen and prioritise new investment opportunities and scientific ideas from within and beyond the CRUK network. You will lead the investment process for selected opportunities including due diligence, development of commercial propositions, securing of finance. You will lead or direct negotiation of corporate agreements alongside our in-house legal team. As a senior member of the team, you will also lead on the operational management of our Seed Fund and Investment Committee.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to help drive forward Cancer Research Horizons’ start-up strategy, and to make a major impact on the translation and commercialisation of innovative early-stage oncology technologies.
Key duties include:
- Project manage the evaluation of new start-up opportunities. This will involve setting up specific teams around relevant commercialisation opportunities and leading each team through the work that shapes and tests the business idea.
- Analyse investment opportunities, carrying out due diligence on potential investee companies.
- Define requirements and raise proof of concept and/or other early-stage funds or grants from both internal and external sources.
- Oversee investment applications to our Seed Fund investment committee and all associated operational processes and governance procedures.
- Lead and/or coordinate the development of investment ready business plans and presentation pitches for emerging new spinout opportunities and support pitches to regional, national, and international investors.
- Lead or support on the negotiation of shareholder/investment agreements associated with the formation and financing of startup companies, working with assembled in-house deal teams and external stakeholders as appropriate.
- Support the establishment and management of research, business, financial and support networks, and the recruitment of specialist consultants and/or early-stage management talent necessary to enable effective establishment and early growth of start-up companies.
- Keep abreast of business developments, trends, and business opportunities.
What skills are we looking for?
- A degree level qualification and/or a relevant post-graduate or professional qualification (or equivalent work & industry experience) in a Life Science discipline, ideally oncology/technology related.
- Entrepreneurial individual with significant domain expertise in the life science spinout sector, with experience from serial entrepreneurship and/or early-stage investment drawn from working in relevant industry, academic or non-profit commercial roles.
- Proven track record in developing realistic and compelling business cases, ideally in seed-stage investments and/or grant funding.
- Experience and the ability to negotiate commercial contracts (shareholder/investment-related agreements would be beneficial to this role but this is not an absolute requirement).
- Broad knowledge and awareness of oncology drug/technology discovery and development and associated science.
- Familiarity with patent and commercial databases.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to establish credibility, and work effectively with key academic, industry and investor stakeholders, assertively influencing them and where appropriate showing tenacity and persistence in business development situations.
What will I gain?
Every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.
In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies, and processes to enable you to do your job well.
Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.
We review pay annually and aim to recognise individual performance and achievements.
We don’t forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.
Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.