Policy and Public Affairs at the BIA

The BIA is the UK’s leading trade association for life sciences, and we have an award-winning policy and public affairs team. The work is varied, stimulating, and at times challenging. At the moment, we have two vacancies open in our policy and public affairs team; A Policy and Public Affairs Manager, and a Talent, People and Skills Manager.

 

A job description only tells part of the story, so we sat down with BIA Policy and Projects Manager, Dr. Martin Turner, and BIA Senior Policy and Public Affairs Executive, Eric Johnsson, to find out more about their roles and what working at the BIA is really like.

 

If you have questions regarding either role, or would like to apply, check out the job advertisements here or email BIA Operations Executive, Riana Potamitis.

 

How long have you worked at the BIA?

 

Martin Turner – I started in April 2016, so almost three years. But it’s gone by fast!

 

Eric Johnsson – Since March 2017. This is my first policy and public affairs job.

 

What are some of the challenging aspects of working at the BIA?

 

MT – The diverse but interesting range of policy areas we each cover in our roles, and sometimes the pace of work. Being very much the go-to trade association for bioscience, we field a lot of queries from government and journalists, so we’re always at the beating heart of an issue and there’s a lot to keep up with.  

 

EJ – I can only agree with Martin, the fast pace is the most challenging, especially in these politically uncertain times.

 

What makes working in the biotech sector interesting?

 

MT – the people. Our sector is full of committed and very clever individuals, who really care about the development of new medicines for patients. They are great fun to work with and I learn a lot from them.  

 

EJ – I definitely agree. And I would also say the science. Our members are developing incredible new technologies and it's great to learn about them. 

 

What makes the BIA a great place to work?

 

MT – The opportunities that you only get working in a small organisation. It doesn’t matter what your position, you are involved in lots of important meetings and decision making. It develops you as a professional quicker than if you were a small cog in a big machine.

 

EJ – We’re a small organisation, but I think we punch above our weight on the issues that matters the most to our members. This brings a strong sense of purpose. Plus everyone at BIA is really friendly!

 

Why is working on policy rewarding?

 

MT – There’s intellectual reward from the complexity of the issues we’ve got to master, and the feel-good factor when you see the difference your policy has made.

 

EJ – Because we get to champion a sector that is really improving people’s lives. It is also very rewarding to meet and interact with such a wide range of interesting people, from biotech entrepreneurs and expert scientists to MPs and Ministers.

 

What’s a typical working day like for you at the BIA policy team?

 

EJ - It depends on what’s driving the day really – some days I’ll be focused on organising a parliamentary event, whereas on others I’m working with members on a consultation response or attending an important government meeting.

 

Can you sum up your job/working at the BIA in three words?

 

MT – Interesting, impactful, and fun   

 

EJ – Challenging, stimulating, and collaborative