UK Bioindustry Association

Policy and Public Affairs Manager - Investment, Finance and Tax

The salary range for this role is £35 - £40,000 PA subject to experience

MAIN PURPOSES OF THIS JOB

This role will help deliver our strategic objective to increase public and private investment in the UK’s innovative life sciences and biotech sector, connect our membership and investment communities, and inform and support those in finance roles within the sector.

It is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious self-starter to make a big impact working across government, the life sciences industry and the financial sector. You will be working within an award-winning team that has achieved significant and high-profile results, such as securing tax u-turns, facilitating the rescue of Silicon Valley Bank UK by HSBC, and shaping the Government’s and Official Opposition’s narrative on access to finance and pension fund reform.

The holder will develop and deliver a comprehensive programmme of work including supporting the UK Government’s Life Sciences Investment Envoy, who is currently also the BIA’s Chair and providing the secretariat to our Finance and Tax Advisory Committee. This will involve close collaborative working with civil servants, CEOs and CFOs from member companies and key investors.

In doing so, you will be helping deliver the next generation of medicines and other biology-driven technologies to solve global challenges, from disease, to hunger, to climate change. You will be at the heart of a world-leading industry that will drive the global economy in the 21st century.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy:

Monitor, evaluate and communicate government and parliamentary announcements and activity regarding finance and tax issues relevant to life sciences SMEs

Work with BIA colleagues, members and external consultants to develop sector positions on finance and tax policies, and produce a strong evidence base to support advocacy

Provide the Secretariat to the BIA Finance and Tax Advisory Committee and other member/stakeholder meetings, preparing agendas and papers, and producing minutes

Working with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, support the development of new policy initiatives to increase investment in life sciences and biotech

Public affairs:

Support the work of the UK Government’s Life Sciences Investment Envoy, working with civil servants to link government and BIA activities

Develop and deliver effective engagement campaigns to influence political, civil service and financial services stakeholders

Use matrix management to deliver the strategy through joined-up BIA activities across policy, events and communications

Events:

Deliver a programme of BIA events that raise investors’ understanding and interest in the sector and provide networking opportunities for BIA members with investors

Lead on the BIA’s co-organised events with strategic partners, such as the Office for Life Sciences, Department for Business and Trade, the Office for Investment, the British Business Bank, London Stock Exchange, and others

Communications:

Working with BIA colleagues, help develop online (website and social media) content to make the BIA the go-to organisation for domestic and foreign investors wanting to understand and connect with the UK life sciences and biotech sector

Working with BIA colleagues and external data providers, support the production of authoritative and impactful reports to promote investment in and understanding of the sector

Working with BIA colleagues to build and manage CFO and investor communities

As a small organisation, flexibility is a key value all members of the team need to work to. As such the above duties and responsibility are subject to change as informed by needs of the team, organisation and changes in the external environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Strong interest in and good understanding of one or more of the following: life sciences and biotech industry, tax and/or finance, UK Government and Parliament

Proven project management skills to drive projects through from conception to output

Persuasive communication skills adaptable for a variety of audiences

Excellent written skills with an ability to grasp complex issues quickly and how to distil these for a variety of external audiences

Collaborative team-player who is flexible to changing business needs and supports colleagues effectively

Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrative ability to develop good working relationships with a range of stakeholders

Ability to represent the BIA and its members in person and through oral and written communication

Desirable:

Experience working in or with government

Tax or finance policy

Investor or press communications experience

Event management experience

Understanding of how financial issues link with wider sector issues (e.g. healthcare, innovation, science and the business environment)

If you are interested in applying for the position, please can you submit your CV and a covering letter outlining why you feel you are suitable for the role, including your current salary and salary expectations.

Applications should be submitted via email to: Nick Gardiner via the application button.

Applications should be submitted by no later than: 11pm on Sunday 14th January 2024.