Commercial Director – Health Innovation South West

We have an extremely exciting opportunity to join Health Innovation South West as Commercial Director. Health Innovation South West covers a population of 2.2 million people living across our integrated health systems of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and is one of 15 Health Innovation Networks set up by the NHS to spread innovation at pace and scale. We work in collaboration with our regional partners to adopt and spread health innovation that transforms lives, improves population health and drives economic growth.

We are seeking an experienced, ambitious and highly motivated individual who will be a key member of the Health Innovation South West senior leadership team, responsible for driving innovation, business growth and commercial excellence. This role ensures the organisation leverages industry expertise, professional networks, and strategic partnerships—both nationally and internationally—to enhance economic development and revenue generation.

Reporting to one of our Executive Directors, the Commercial Director leads delivery of the commercial strategy for Health Innovation South West’s portfolio, providing strategic oversight, performance management, and governance across its programmes and services. A core focus is on securing new income opportunities while supporting wider investment in the South West Peninsula’s economic and healthcare innovation ecosystem.

We are looking to speak with candidates who have a proven ability to develop and implement high-impact commercial strategies within the healthcare, life sciences, or innovation sectors, and a strong understanding of business development, revenue generation, and investment models in a public-private partnership environment. Skilled in managing complex stakeholder relationships across either healthcare, academia or industry, you will have experience of working at a senior leadership level, the ability to identify and secure new funding streams, including grants, commercial partnerships and strategic investments, and lead strategic partnerships that drive innovation and commercial success.

This role presents an exceptional opportunity to lead high-profile commercial and innovation initiatives that shape the future of healthcare and economic development, playing a critical role in transforming innovation into tangible economic and healthcare advancements.

If you are a strategic thinker, commercial innovator, and dynamic leader, we invite you to bring your expertise to our organisation and contribute to the future of health and life sciences innovation.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. In recruiting to our organisation, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all.

A full job pack can be found here, where details of how to apply can be found.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 14th July 2025.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview via Teams. Successful second round candidates will be offered the opportunity to join and informal online “Meet the Team” session. Following this, a second final interview will be held for a small number of candidates at Health Innovation South West’s award-winning offices in Exeter.