EMBRACE Chief Operating Officer

About the role

The EMBRACE Chief Operating Officer is the operational and partnership lead for the Inkfish EMBRACE (Enhanced Maternal and Baby Results with AI-supported Care and Empowerment) programme, setting up and managing the operations across the multi-partner, multiple country consortium. The post holder is required to be a highly experienced, strategic leader with expertise in artificial intelligence in the context of personalised health.

EMBRACE is a visionary, multicomponent international research programme, the first of its kind in the world, supported by Inkfish with £35M core funds over six years, starting in April 2025. It is a global study of 60,000 participants, including 20,000 mothers, 20,000 infants and up to 20,000 partners. It brings together world-leading clinician scientists across six distinguished Healthcare organisations, world-leading AI & technology companies, together with premier biotech companies, with the overarching aim to fast track major scientific breakthroughs, revolutionise maternal and early childhood health through precision-personalised interventions, powered by a groundbreaking symbiosis of cutting-edge AI combined with human support.

The post holder is responsible for establishing and managing the EMBRACE programme working closely with the study Director and lead PI, Senior Advisors, other members of the research leadership team and Industry partner organisations. The EMBRACE Chief Operating Officer will manage all parties within the global consortium and key stakeholders to set up and maintain an operational framework that meets the regulatory requirements of each partner country and organisation to meet EMBRACE’s ambitious goals. They will oversee day-to-day execution of decisions and contracts, including the oversight of the research teams and business operations. This includes the consortium’s financial management, project management – meeting key milestones, writing and presenting reports, establishing and overseeing the programme’s governance, ethical and regulatory compliance, and maintaining internal and external relationships including with industry partners, funders and collaborators. The EMBRACE Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensure delivery of high-impact research outcomes.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 01/10/2030.

About You

Essential criteria

• PhD in a STEM discipline
• Advanced financial management and analytical skills to underpin strategic decisions and procedures
• Significant experience of managing a multi-site international scientific programme including governance, regulatory and clinical operations
• At least 10 years’ experience working in a leadership role in either a higher education or research institution, a large research funder or a biomedical or other active research company in the private sector, with responsibility for delivering operational partnership between commercial, clinical and university organisations using negotiation and influencing skills
• Detailed understanding and experience of setting up and project managing/ leading a complex multi-partner programme similar to the EMBRACE programme
• Proven excellent written and spoken communication skills, translating scientific concepts and findings into understandable presentations and written reports
• High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude to deliver agreed outputs on time and within budget
• Significant experience in managing clinical research and clinical trials in partnership with commercial organisations

Desirable criteria

• Proven experience in managing complex teams both with line management responsibilities and in a matrix environment
• Advanced relevant professional qualification in project management, accountancy, MBA, or equivalent
• Formal clinical research or clinical trial qualification

Contact Person: Professor Josip Car