Associate Director (maternity cover contract)

Ashfield Advisory

Job Overview

Location

London, United Kingdom

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Join Inizio Ignite Insights, a global advisory partner dedicated to transforming the health and life sciences sector. We unite strategy, insights, and innovation to accelerate performance and deliver lasting change for patients, working with leading pharmaceutical and biotech clients.
• This is a pivotal 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity for an Associate Director (maternity cover), commencing in April 2026, offering a chance to embed yourself within a dynamic team and contribute significantly to high-impact projects.
• You will report directly to the Team Director, taking ownership of client relationships and project delivery, while also playing a key role in team management and development.
• The role offers potential for future permanent employment, contingent on mutual fit and business needs, providing a pathway for continued career growth within our organisation.
• Your core responsibility will be to expertly oversee market research projects from inception to completion, ensuring client objectives are met with precision and strategic insight.
• This includes serving as the primary point of contact for clients, managing project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively, and ensuring seamless communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• You will be responsible for leading project teams, mentoring junior researchers, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• A significant aspect of the role involves the development and delivery of compelling client presentations, translating complex data and insights into actionable recommendations that drive client success.
• You will contribute to the strategic direction of projects, advising clients on research methodologies and the interpretation of findings.
• Beyond project delivery, you will actively support the Team Director in broader team management responsibilities.
• This includes contributing to performance management processes, such as conducting appraisals and pay reviews, and monitoring team performance against key objectives.
• You will play a vital role in the personal development of team members, identifying training needs, and supporting career progression.
• Recruitment will also be a key area of involvement, where you will contribute to talent acquisition by assessing potential new staff and participating in the interview process.
• Furthermore, you will assist in developing and implementing internal company procedures to enhance operational efficiency and maintain high standards of quality.
• This role marks an exciting opportunity for you to take your first formal steps into business development.
• You will be involved in the proposal writing process, crafting persuasive proposals to win new business opportunities.
• This will require close collaboration with Directors and Project Managers to define project scope, consider realistic timescales, and accurately calculate research costs.
• Your insights will be crucial in shaping winning proposals that align with client needs and our service offerings.
• The Europe Custom Research team operates without silos, empowering you to develop broad expertise across diverse therapy areas and client types.
• You will gain exposure to a comprehensive suite of innovative qualitative and quantitative market research techniques, constantly expanding your methodological toolkit.
• This role is ideal for a proactive, dedicated, and enthusiastic individual with a 'can-do' attitude, eager to make a tangible impact in the healthcare market research space.
• You will demonstrate exceptional accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of your work, coupled with strong organisational and prioritisation skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• As a collaborative team player, you will work effectively with colleagues across the organisation, fostering positive working relationships.
• Your communication skills will be essential, enabling you to articulate ideas and issues clearly, effectively, and straightforwardly to both internal teams and external clients.
• You will be highly motivated, seeking out opportunities to develop new skills, take on new challenges, and advance your career within a supportive and growth-oriented environment.
• This position is full-time, based in our London HQ, with a hybrid working pattern (2 days per week in the office). Alternatively, it can be undertaken on a remote basis with one office visit per month.

🎯 Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in market research, with a significant portion within the healthcare industry.
• Proven experience in leading complex research projects and managing client relationships effectively.
• Demonstrated ability and eagerness to develop business development skills, with a clear ambition to generate new client accounts.
• Proactive, dedicated, and enthusiastic with a strong 'can-do' attitude and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a team and present complex information clearly.

🏖️ Benefits

• Company pension contributions of 5% available from your first day (salary sacrifice).
• Increasing holiday entitlement with each year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Additional day off for your birthday.
• Comprehensive private health insurance.
• Life Assurance plan for peace of mind.
• Group Income Protection to provide financial security.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave policies to support significant life events.

Skills & Technologies

Junior

Remote

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Ashfield Advisory

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About Ashfield Advisory

Ashfield Advisory is a global commercial strategy consultancy serving the life-sciences sector. It helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical-device companies design and execute market-access, pricing, health-economics, patient-services and launch-readiness programmes. The firm combines data analytics, payer insights, regulatory expertise and field teams to support product commercialisation across more than 50 countries. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, it operates as part of UDG Healthcare plc.

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