Business Development Manager (Innovation)

Overview

This opportunity is for a Business Development Manager (Innovation) with NHS Lothian, working within the South East NHS Regional Innovation Hub in Edinburgh. The role sits at Band 7 and is offered as a 2-year fixed-term contract.

Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES) is an NHS Regional Innovation Hub that brings together industry, academic partners, and healthcare organisations to help new ideas be tested in real clinical settings. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between research and tangible benefits for patients while also supporting Scotland’s economic growth and life sciences sector.

The position is suited to someone who is motivated by healthcare innovation and enjoys creating partnerships that turn concepts into practical solutions. In this role, you will help connect SMEs, academia, and NHS teams so that innovative ideas can move from early development to implementation.

About the organisation

HISES is one of Scotland’s three NHS Regional Innovation Hubs and is hosted by NHS Lothian in collaboration with NHS Borders and NHS Fife. The hub offers a cooperative environment where innovation can be trialled in real-world healthcare settings, with the goal of improving patient care and strengthening the life sciences ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain partnerships across NHS bodies, universities, and industry organisations.
• Prepare and lead funding applications, while helping to secure external investment.
• Support small and medium-sized businesses in accessing NHS expertise and innovation routes.
• Spot promising innovation opportunities and help shape them into high-value projects.
• Represent HISES within Scotland’s wider health and life sciences innovation community.

Candidate profile

We are looking for someone with a strong background in business development, innovation, or research and development. Experience of winning funding or leading collaborative partnerships is important, along with an understanding of healthcare or life sciences. Strong relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder management abilities are also key to success in this role.

Additional information

NHS Scotland promotes equality and diversity and aims to create a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The organisation works to remove unlawful discrimination and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.

Applicants should ensure their submission reflects their own skills, experience, and motivations. Artificial intelligence tools may be used for planning, idea generation, spell-checking, or grammar support, but they must not be used to generate application answers. Applications that appear to rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, candidates confirm that their responses are based on their own knowledge and achievements.

To work in the United Kingdom, applicants must have the relevant legal permission to work in the country. This requirement is confirmed by the UK Visa and Immigration Service, and candidates should review the further information for the vacancy regarding verification responsibilities.

The hiring team expects a strong level of interest and may close the vacancy early once enough applications have been received, so candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

Reasonable adjustments will be provided for disabled candidates, and for candidates with long-term conditions or neurodivergence, in line with recruitment policy and practice.

For informal enquiries, contact Samantha Smith-Garrett, Senior Innovation Programme Manager, at samantha.smith9@nhs.scot.