Job Description
About 52North
52North is a medical technology company on a mission to make emergency care safer and more effective. Awarded breakthrough status for its first product Neutrocheck® by the UK Government in 2024, we build innovative diagnostic and digital solutions to transform patients’ journeys in emergency care. Our mission-driven team of scientists, engineers, clinicians, and designers is backed by leading UK and US hospital venture funds, including Meridian Health Ventures and Cedars-Sinai Intellectual Property company, alongside partners such as the University of Cambridge and Macmillan Cancer Support.
About the Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to take ownership of 52North’s flagship Neutrocheck® programme through late-stage development, verification & validation, and regulatory submission. You will lead a complex, multidisciplinary programme spanning hardware and software development, analytical and clinical V&V, regulatory readiness, and commercial preparation for a breakthrough, first-in-class IVD product. You will take over a well-defined programme with established functional leads, external partners and transition plans in place, ensuring continuity and momentum during this critical phase. Working closely with functional leads, the leadership team and external partners, you will be responsible for programme planning, risk management and delivery timelines.
Neutrocheck is built on 52North’s proprietary Aster™ technology, which uses lateral flow technology to enable the measurement of both cell-based and soluble biomarkers from a single sample, in a rapid, easy-to-use and portable format. Leveraging the expertise you build through managing Neutrocheck®, you will also be responsible for planning and managing Aster Platform pipeline R&D projects.
As a relatively small start-up company, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to wider business objectives and activities, such as supporting funding applications and developing programme management processes.
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a breakthrough diagnostic programme at a pivotal moment, with real potential to improve outcomes for patients. If you are an experienced senior programme manager who relishes complex multidisciplinary programmes, who has a strong technical background in life sciences or engineering and who has significant experience managing design and development programmes in the IVD or medical device industries, this is an ideal role for you.
Note that this is a hybrid position requiring you to be in our Cambridge office at least two days a week, with Tuesday as the company’s anchor day. The role is a fixed-term 1-year contract, providing maternity cover.
Position Overview
What you will do
* Work with experienced Functional Leads and External partners, you will own and deliver the Neutrocheck® programme through late development, design freeze, V&V, and regulatory submission readiness.
* Work with Functional Leads to develop, deliver and maintain integrated programme plans, covering hardware, software, analytical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial projects.
* Proactively identify, manage, and mitigate programme risks, dependencies, and resource constraints.
* Lead cross-functional programme teams and coordinate external partners including CROs and CMOs.
* Plan and manage proof-of-principle, feasibility, and D&D projects within the Aster™ platform pipeline.
* Provide programme insights and recommendations to the leadership team to support informed decision-making and prioritisation.
* Contribute to wider business activities, such as funding applications and the development of programme management processes.
What we need
* Degree in life sciences or engineering
* 5+ years' experience managing IVD or medical device design and development programmes
* Managed IVD or medical device programmes through late development, design freeze and V&V
* Managed a complex cross-functional programme, involving hardware & software D&D, analytical V&V, clinical trial, regulatory and commercial projects
* Multidisciplinary systems thinker, able to engage with and proactively manage hardware, software, clinical, regulatory and commercial aspects and interdependencies of the programme.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Excellent teamwork and leadership skills, evidenced by successful delivery of cross-functional programmes/projects.
* Excellent problem-solving and proactive risk-management skills.
* Experience managing internal programme teams, CROs/CMOs and diverse internal and external stakeholders (e.g. leadership teams/board)
* Comfortable managing and planning multiple projects in parallel.
* Proactive, can-do attitude. Able to work in a fast-paced environment, with significant uncertainty and programme risk.
* Experience working within ISO13485-compliant quality systems.
* Willing to contribute to wider business objectives and tasks.
Even better if…
* Experience with lateral flow technology
* Managed/supported IVD or medical device programmes through a regulatory submission (E.g. UKCA, CE and/or FDA)
* Managed proof-of-principle and feasibility projects
* Experience working in a start-up company, or small business
What can you expect from us
* 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
* A diverse and inclusive work environment that brings together multidisciplinary experts in many fields, including scientists, engineers, clinicians and designers.
How to apply
Please upload a CV and covering letter by clicking 'Apply Now', or by emailing your CV and covering letter to careers@52north.health. Your covering letter should explain why you are applying for the job and what skills and experience you can bring to the role.
We review CVs as we receive them and interview as soon as we have applications that look like a good match (usually within one week). We do not use closing dates. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this role. We advertised this role on 19 December 2025.
If you have any queries, please contact careers@52north.health
Everyone is welcome at 52North. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from eligible and suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender reassignment, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity/paternity.
Studies have shown that some groups tend to apply to jobs if they meet all or almost all of the requirements while others apply even if they meet only some of the requirements. If that sounds like you then please apply – we are happy to review your application and let you know if we think you might be a good match.
If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, please let us know. We are happy to help.