Odgers Berndtson

Consultant or Principal Appointment | Life Sciences, Pharma | London

About the Life Sciences Practice

The Global Life Sciences Practice at Odgers Berndtson comprises over 40 specialists who work across the full breadth of the sector, combining its strong specialist connectivity across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. We work with biopharma and med-tech clients of all shapes and sizes, ranging from leading global corporates to smaller, high-growth organisations. In every case, we find leaders to drive innovation and value for investors and patients, and we are proud of the long-term partnerships we have developed with some of the most exciting organisations in the sector.

We believe our Practice is unique in how it engages with our market-leading Healthcare, Technology and Education Practices, particularly in the converging worlds of academic health science, data analytics, translational medicine and tech transfer, all of which are areas of great strength for our business. Our focus on internal collaboration has led to high-profile assignments outside of the core Life Sciences community, including for clients in higher education; VC/PE; industrial; government; global consultancies; technology; and major medical research charities.

Our structure, culture and commercial flexibility as a business mean that we are ideally set up to work with a diverse range of clients, and we do so without the territorial behaviours and ‘sharp elbows’ often prevalent in other executive search firms.

The Opportunity

We are looking to appoint a senior team member in the UK. We will consider sector specialists currently working in executive search, consultancy or wider professional services, as long as you are credible operating at the highest level and are committed to working openly and collaboratively and being an engaged member of the team.

Key elements of the role will be to:

• Lead business development activity by developing contacts and networks, as well as those of Odgers Berndtson, to build and manage client relationships, and win retained executive search mandates.
• Execute high-quality, creative work for clients, developing relationships and supporting creative diverse appointments.
• Contribute to a high-performing team, bringing imagination and innovation to all that you do.
• Develop long-term client and candidate relationships for the firm and a strong personal brand by establishing successful relationships with senior leaders and influencers and consistently delivering on expectations.
• Manage several concurrent client engagements from inception through to completion, always providing support and direction to other members of the search team. 
• Develop deep knowledge of client organisations to expand our service offering thoughtfully and appropriately. 
• Proactively introduce colleagues from other offices and divisions within the global network at every opportunity.
• Work highly collaboratively, ensuring clients, candidates and colleagues have an excellent experience of the firm.
• Contribute to the strategy for the UK team and the global Life Sciences Practice.
• Mentor and develop team members, growing and retaining a diverse talented team across the firm.
• Support firm-wide and practice initiatives in pursuit of continuous improvement and innovation, including the use of technology and AI to improve our offering.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record and network in life sciences, either from within the industry itself or as an advisor e.g., consulting, advisory, or executive search.  We are happy to consider candidates with transferable knowledge and experience who are looking to make a lateral move into executive search.

• Relevant experience within the Life Sciences sector, with a strong track record of client service, sales, relationship management and/or business development.
• Proven ability to engage and form long-standing relationships with senior stakeholders including at Board and Executive Committee levels.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver excellence in client assignments and become a trusted advisor to senior leaders bringing Insights and innovation to your work.
• Strong consulting mindset with a consistent history of seeing through projects to successful completion; a good sense of timing, judgement, and patience.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, with a high level of self-motivating energy and a default mindset of collaborating with colleagues.
• Intellectual curiosity with a broad outlook, bringing creative thinking, common sense, an open mind and an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to work successfully with many different people around the world.
• A willingness to challenge opinions and provide insight in a constructive and respectful manner, encouraging views from all.
• An ability to work autonomously, in a flat, non-hierarchical company structure with a culture of unity and collaboration.

Odgers Berndtson is one of the world’s leading Global Executive Search firms. Our reputation for excellence and integrity has been established over 50 years and we are a partnership-driven by the client, candidate, and employee experience. We function as trusted advisors to our clients and candidates and engage with a diverse range of leaders for the most influential roles across a wide variety of industries. The service we deliver is creative, insightful, and most importantly, in partnership; we pride ourselves on maintaining personal relationships.

At Odgers Berndtson, we are proud of our progressive, diverse, meritocratic, and collaborative culture where you will find support, training and career development working with colleagues striving for excellence in all they do. We are UK headquartered with colleagues across 33 countries specialising in over 50 sectors and functions. 

Hybrid Working

Our Hybrid working policy is based on the principles of empowerment, mutual trust and flexibility, recognising that we work best when we make choices about when, where and how we work.  At the same time, we are reminded that time together is so important.  We are a client-service business in which our relationships and our culture provide a significant advantage. Our offices remain critical to how we work; they are a place for collaboration, learning, and support and an anchor for the culture of which we are so proud.

We operate a hybrid working model which would typically see you spending a minimum of 3 days working from the office and the rest remotely. Your work pattern will be reliant on business demands, and we would expect you to manage your time accordingly.

Odgers Berndtson is committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention, and development of a diverse range of talented people. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole selves to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.

We welcome all new employees to get involved by joining one of our Allies groups or simply being part of one of our many initiatives to help us promote Inclusion in our business. Our Inclusion & Diversity agenda is driven by our I&D Council and our Allies Programmes, and we celebrate our diversity each year with our ‘Unlimited Festival’.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, Odgers Berndtson is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination of any kind. We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our business, and we will support any requirements for reasonable adjustments

Sustainability

Modern businesses have a duty to be environmentally responsible and operate sustainably. We believe this represents not only sound commercial sense but also recognises our ethical responsibility to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment and to leave a positive legacy for future generations.

We have committed to, and set, science-based decarbonisation targets, and have received verification of these goals from the Science Based Targets initiative  (SBTi). These targets will hold us accountable to our sustainability strategy while enabling us to measure our progress. This is complemented by us continuing to provide sustainability insight to our clients and cultivating a track record within sustainable businesses and in placing sustainability leaders.

Corporate Social Responsibility

We take Charity seriously – but like to have fun too. Our CSR team are always thinking up new events and activities to get involved in and raise funds for our chosen charity British Heart Foundation. 

We also have a variety of social clubs and learning opportunities to suit everyone such as the Brunch and Learn Session, Odgers choir, the book club or one of the many sports clubs

Whats on offer?

A competitive base salary, supplemented by our benefits package and discretionary bonus

• 25 days Annual leave + 3 gift days for the Christmas closure + bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance with Bupa and cash plan with Simply Health
• Group Company Pension
• Season Ticket Loan & Cycle to work scheme
• Give As You Earn
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Charity Day
• Wellbeing Programmes, support and speakers
• On-boarding, induction training and ongoing professional development
• Corporate member discounts and benefits available through Bupa and Simply Health including Gyms Discounts 

Applications

We are committed to ensuring everyone can access our website and application processes. This includes people with sight loss, hearing, mobility and cognitive impairments. Should you require access to these documents in alternative formats, need to apply in a different format or need any reasonable adjustments made for any interview please contact our Talent Team at careers@odgersberndtson.com 

If you have any comments and/or suggestions about improving access to our application processes, please don't hesitate to contact us at careers@odgersberndtson.com

Eligibility

You must be eligible to live and work in the UK