Job Purpose:
Working as part of the College Professional Services Team, the post holder will support and contribute towards driving forward the attraction and potential of new business specific to research themes or sectors through supporting line management in the delivery of the Innovation Strategy. You will identify and deliver on research and knowledge exchange opportunities between the researchers within the College, Industry, Public Sector, and other external parties as appropriate.
Main duties and Responsibilities:
1. To ensure effective delivery of the industry and external engagement aligned with College strategies, contributing to its development as appropriate based on funder and industry sector intelligence to support and prioritise strategic focus areas.
2. Responsible for the implementation of strategic plans targeting stakeholders for engagement and conversion to action as deemed appropriate to generate new business for the College.
3. Developing new commercial partnerships aligned to the strategic focus areas, as well as identifying new areas and trends in related research areas to deliver a pipeline of funded work including strategically relevant collaborations withs SME's, academia, and industry. To manage this effectively you would be expected to work with the wider team to ensure projects are appropriately planned, resourced, and costed.
4. Working in partnership with key researchers, take ownership for the identification, nurturing and development of opportunities with external stakeholders, from initial identification through conversion to action.
5. Support for assigned high-quality bids for research and innovation funding, including writing and/or co-writing complex proposals for industry partners and other relevant funders, as required.
6. Instigate and coordinate contract and commercial negotiations, ensuring responsiveness from all relevant UofG stakeholders, and ensuring deals are brought to closure.
7. Facilitate meetings with external organisations (including preparation of agendas and papers and preparation of meeting summaries) to communicate progress of research and business developments in relation to the relevant stakeholders. Agree follow up actions from meetings and then see these through to resolution.
8. To actively engage and keep up to date with College strategies and proactively identify opportunities for new commercial partnerships College wide.
9. To lead on delivering effective engagement with teams in order to manage and grow ongoing relationships with companies that have entered into collaborative agreements with Colleges.
10. To proactively keep updated on funding, research sector news, and trends work closely with stakeholder community (Academics, industry, entrepreneurs, funders, Scottish and UK Government departments, etc.) to provide intelligence on opportunities and support scenario planning.
11. Produce regular reports to senior management to update and present progress against strategy and contribute to management decision making.
12. Play a leading role to develop and enhance collaboration between Schools, Colleges and new or existing business clients whilst increasing effective business networks.
13. Travel as necessary to support meetings and events, as required. This may include some non-domestic travel.
14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as deemed appropriate by line manager.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge / Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent in relevant discipline and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2 Knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing the development of technology in a relevant technical area.
A3 Proven ability to learn about new technologies, products and services.
A4 Knowledge and experience of working and collaborating with relevant companies and understanding of their business drivers.
Desirable:
B1 A science related PhD or an MBA
B2 Knowledge of intellectual property and legal issues relevant to university business collaborations and enterprise.
B3 Awareness of systems and structures for the commercialisation of technological/ scientific research and development, including understanding of contractual, legal and financial framework. IP
B4 Demonstrable knowledge of research in Medical Veterinary, Life Sciences or Science and engineering
B5 Network of contacts within companies or organisations in a related sector.
B6 Knowledge of either technology transfer and commercialisation of research or industry engagement in a university or commercial environment.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Significant proven ability to develop and maintain relations with existing customers / stakeholders at a senior level.
C2 Ability to identify and target potential customers / partners and to establish contact with new customers / stakeholders.
C3 Ability to actively engage with stakeholders, interpret and understand their needs and realise these through to workable solutions.
C4 Tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and confidential information, and ability to work well under pressure.
C5 A self-starting and highly organised individual
C6 Ability to remain positive, confident, tenacious and intellectually curious.
C7 Proven ability to learn about new technologies, products, and services.
C8 Strategic thinker with ability to plan long term strategic priorities whilst managing short term operational pressures.
C9 Excellent organisational skills, project management and reporting ability.
C10 Clear and confident communicator in written and audio/visual formats.
C11 Ability to explain technical concepts and technologies to non-technical and technical members internally and externally.
C12 Capable of understanding and analysing research proposals and / or business plans and being able to offer constructive comments and feedback.
C13 Proven ability to create and deliver on marketing plans for service / product sales.
Desirable:
D1 Account management skills to identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.
Experience
Essential:
E1 experience of developing strong strategic relationships with external business partners and converting these into value added deliverables (product, service, other)
E2 Experience of informing and implementing strategic industry / external engagement / business development plans with clear goals and objectives.
E3 Experience of developing relationships with external business partners through to workable solutions.
E4 Proven track record of influencing and negotiating at senior levels in the public and/or private sector towards the successful delivery of organisational objectives.
E5 Track record of developing and delivering innovative solutions to business engagement in collaborative projects.
E6 Significant experience of working in a complex technical or innovative environment.
Desirable:
F1 Experience of coordinating teams containing academics and industrialists.
F2 Experience of management of complex multi partner deals.
F3 Experience of successfully applying for grant funding from UKRI.
F4 Experience of developing and running partnership projects, preferably in a business-to-university, or university to business context.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.
These posts are full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.