Post Title: Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Manager
Department: Business Development, Innovation
Salary: £40,322pa - £42,792pa depending on skills and experience with the potential to progress to £51,034pa
Grade: UH8
FTE: 1.0 FTE (working 37 hours per week)
Duration of Contract: Permanent
Location: De Havilland Campus
In 2020 the University of Hertfordshire will be launching its new strategy, which includes refreshed objectives and targets for Enterprise & Business Development. Coupled with our recent success in securing funding to set up a new University Enterprise Zone, the University’s Business Development Department is now seeking to recruit to a range of roles to fulfil its ambitions to drive sustainable growth and increase income across all areas of knowledge exchange.
The Business Development Department is formed of three areas: Innovation, Skills and Business Support Services. The Innovation team are seeking a motivated IP and Commercialisation Manager to proactively identify and promote the intellectual property (IP) developed within the University to create opportunities for commercial impact such as products, services, licences and spinouts.
Main duties & responsibilities
The post holder will work closely with academic colleagues and external bodies to exploit the University’s IP in support of the Department’s targets and the University’s Strategic Plan and Objectives. You will be supporting creators of IP to apply for funding, find suitable potential licensees and prepare business cases to support commercialisation ambitions for the University. You will be required to facilitate the University’s Intellectual Property Pipeline and Investment activities to maximize commercial and impact potential.
You will promote an innovation culture within research teams and academic departments. Supporting academics to employ strategies for the effective use of the IP arising from their research for research growth and impact will also be key to this role. You will also be responsible for leading and successfully delivering the University’s annual Proof of Concept Scheme including the monitoring of projects and development of impact case studies.
Skills and experience needed
You will have proven experience drafting and interpreting contracts and be confident identifying potential partners and licensees while being ready to assist in spinout set up. You must have effective communication skills and be comfortable speaking with academic and professional staff. Previous experience in steering commercial disclosures from initial assessment of ideas towards commercial exploitation readiness is key.
You must have experience increasing contractual income whilst demonstrating impact for the benefit of society. You will be organised when triaging new investment cases, be comfortable preparing new cases for investment calls and drafting appropriate recommendations for the relevant commercial groups within the University.
You will be highly self-motivated, professional and collegiate in your approach and fully committed to delivering a high-quality service. Importantly, you will be demonstrably passionate about this area and proactive about meeting academic researchers and customers to understand and fulfil their commercial requirements.
Qualifications required
You will hold an Honours Degree and/or equivalent professional qualifications and/or proven relevant experience
Contact Details/Informal Enquiries:
Dr Peter Gooden, Head of Innovation (p.gooden@herts.ac.uk, 01707 284236)
Closing Date: 2nd November 2020
Interview date: TBC
Reference Number: 029935
Date Advert Placed: 5th October 2020
Our vision is to transform lives and UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave and discounted Sports Village memberships, personal and professional development and family friendly policies. #GoHerts