ABOUT US

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 119 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 26,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.

As we move forward, our consumers will be at the heart of what we do, evolving to needs and expectations and committing to a more meaningful contribution to harm reduction by building a successful NGP business. Integral to our long-term success is our sustainability strategy, behaving responsibly and supporting our ambitions, all underpinned by high governance.

Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

THE ROLE

Scientific Substantiation & Engagement Lead

Location: Bristol or Hamburg 

Scientific Research (80%)

The role holder is responsible for setting the strategic direction and executing the necessary scientific research through leading a team of subject matter experts that:

- Underpins the necessary scientific substantiation of IMB’s Next Generation Products in making a meaningful contribution to tobacco harm reduction supporting IMB strategic commercial choices (aligned with Corporate & Category strategies),

- Addresses IMB’s regulatory priority issue objectives,

- Meets current and future regulatory requirements to enable launch of new, and defend current (on-going commercialisation), IMB products.

Targeted & Focussed Scientific & Regulatory Engagement (20%)

As the Scientific Substantiation & Engagement Lead, you will be responsible for:

- Managing scientific & technical regulatory issues to achieve IMB’s market/cluster regulatory and commercial objectives, ensuring the necessary scientific research, materials and messaging are in place to deliver Corporate Affairs solutions for priority regulatory & technical issues,

- Leading targeted scientific & technical regulatory engagement with key market/cluster stakeholders that supports launch of new, and defend current (on-going commercialisation), IMB products.

Additional Information

The role holder will manage IMB’s multi-disciplinary scientific research and targeted scientific & regulatory engagement programmes which contribute knowledge, evidence, and analysis across a broad range of topics in supporting our commercial agenda and corporate objectives. We are seeking an individual who combines deep scientific/technical knowledge across a range of scientific disciplines, a focus on customer/regulator needs, and scientific & regulatory engagement/influencing skills.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for scientific research, set the scientific substantiation. Research agenda and lead the generation of high-quality scientific studies to support IMB’s meaningful contribution to harm reduction and the market entry of new products/on-going commercialisation of current products (including current & future regulatory submissions).
• Lead, manage, integrate, and develop a team of scientists and other specialists across Alternatives to Animal Testing Toxicology, Clinical Science, Behavioural Science & Surveillance, and Global Data Analytics to achieve objectives.
• Communicate internally and with business partners on in-house and commissioned study outcomes and provide guidance on risk management where necessary.
• Maintain and build IMB’s reputation for high quality, high impact, and innovative scientific research.
• Represent IMB at external scientific & regulatory meetings and consortia, and lead IMB’s external engagement through high impact scientific publications & presentations.
• Participate in issue management teams, work cross functional lines collaboratively; mentor and cross-train other scientist & CLA colleagues as required.
• Champion the use of IMB scientific evidence to inform targeted policy, regulation, and product standards development favourable to IMB’s commercial choices. Working with Divisional CLA to bring IMB science and other evidence into policymaking as required to achieve IMB corporate and commercial objectives (Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets focus).
• Act as expert and spokesperson providing subject matter expertise on priority scientific & regulatory issues e.g., flavour bans, public place vaping restrictions, product standards; represent IMB externally when required on scientific & technical product regulatory issues that impact our products through direct engagement and at all levels of regional public, industry, and regulatory opportunity.
• Development and delivery of effective scientific & regulatory messaging in conjunction with CLA to build IMB consumer confidence, ensure robust evidence-based policy development that protects our commercial choices and ensure the company is viewed as a credible source of scientific & regulatory information.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Significant experience in a highly regulated product category, with a passion for science, technology, and regulatory engagement
• MSc/PhD in relevant subject (Minimum requirement: BSc)
• Deep knowledge and understanding of NGP/tobacco/nicotine science and associated research.
• Understanding of the primary drivers of tobacco regulation at a global and local level
• Good awareness of (novel) cost-effective approaches for scientific substantiation of NGPs
• Lead and work in multidisciplinary teams; effective team leader able to bring the best out of the wider team.
• Experience in engaging externally with influential expert scientists and regulators.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills including ability to convey scientific subject matter in a simple manner.
• Skills in developing and executing appropriate engagement activities and key messages in co-ordination with other departments.
• Ability to analyse complex and detailed HR&E papers and provide timely critiques.
• START WITH THE CONSUMER: Experience in scientific research for consumer claims (e.g. cosmetics & wellbeing) would be an appreciated added value.
• COLLABORATE WITH PURPOSE: Strong interpersonal skills along with an ability to build and leverage strong and meaningful working relationships internally and externally. Strong collaboration and project management experience in coordinating internal stakeholders and managing external execution partners suppliers to support Clinical Science research projects.
• TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH CONFIDENCE: Strong organisational and prioritisation skills for the management of multiple concurrent projects and interdepartmental needs. Creative thinking and intellectual curiosity paired with a strong ability to understand complex relationships and communicate these easily across cultures and organisational levels tailored to different audiences including non-scientists.
• BE AUTHENTIC, INCLUSIVE TO ALL: Great communication ability at all levels within and outside the business, including presentation, written, oral and communication skills.
• BUILD OUR FUTURE: Curious in exploring new ways of working and proactive in proposing creative solutions and ideas.
• Business fluent in English, other languages beneficial (e.g., German, French, etc.)

Desirable

• An understanding of the differing EU NGP political and regulatory landscapes
• Network of key scientific & influential opinion leaders

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, and 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with an additional 4 days on top to cover the Christmas period), 50 / 50 hybrid working policy, corporate discounts, Health Cash Plan, and other wellbeing initiatives.

Imperial Brands is committed to inclusiveness and creating a work environment where differences are expected, accepted, and valued and people feel like they belong. We embrace diversity in our workforce, as part of this, there are four employee resource groups focused on Gender, Disability, LGBTQ+, and Ethnicity which any employee can join.

If you’re a person with a disability or have a condition that you believe may affect your performance during our selection process, we are more than happy to make reasonable adjustments for you during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self.

NEXT STEPS

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply, highlighting their suitability to the above.

EVERYONE BELONGS

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation.

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions, or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants.

We welcome talented people with stories to tell, who can bring fresh thinking, new ideas and different experiences to our business and believe in enabling every person to succeed; to deliver their best performance and realise their full potential.

We understand that these are the things that make you ‘you’ and if you join us, we’ll support you in being able and confident to share your whole self with us.  

We look forward to hearing from you!

Please click here resourcing@uk.imptob.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

Don’t talk yourself out of applying.