Business Development and Partnership Manager

National Quantum Computing Centre; Harwell; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Defined benefit pension

30 days holiday + 10.5 days BH

Job summary

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is seeking a Business Development and Partnership Manager to identify, develop, and secure collaborative and commercial opportunities aligned with strategic goals. You will build and manage relationships across the quantum ecosystem, translating stakeholder needs into actionable partnerships and projects.

You will drive a dynamic pipeline from initial engagement to terms agreement, collaborating with technical and engagement teams and with STFC/UK

Qualifications

• Educated to degree or HNC/HND level in a relevant technical, scientific or engineering subject (or equivalent industry experience).
• Strong background in technical sales, business development or partnership management with measurable impact.
• Excellent communication, bid writing and presentation skills, able to articulate value propositions to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities by engaging partners across government, industry, and the research community.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of business opportunities aligned with strategic priorities.
• Manage bid review processes ensuring proposals are strategically sound and compliant with governance.
• Establish and nurture relationships with key stakeholders and act as primary BD contact.
• Scope and develop business cases and funding proposals with technical and non-technical teams.
• Monitor quantum computing trends to inform strategic direction and identify opportunities.
• Track engagement metrics and report progress to senior leadership.
• Promote the centre's mission and capabilities to external audiences nationally and internationally.

Skills

Business development

Partnership management

Strategic thinking

Bid writing

Communication

Time management

MS Office

Quantum computing knowledge

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in technical/engineering

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Business Development and Partnership Manager

Job Title:Business Development and Partnership Manager
Salary:£58,589 – £65,100(gross per annum depending on experience. A Specialist Allowance of up to £5000 may be applicable for suitable qualified candidates)
Contract Type:Permanent
Hours:Full-time(We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Location:Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About Us:

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing.

Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.
.
The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and is part of the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

Our Benefits include a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), Defined benefit pension scheme and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

About the Role:

As the NQCC Business Development Manager, you will lead efforts to identify, develop, and secure collaborative and commercial opportunities that align with the NQCC’s strategic goals. You will build and manage relationships across the quantum computing ecosystem, translating stakeholder needs into actionable partnerships and projects.

You will be responsible for building and maintaining a dynamic pipeline of business opportunities, from initial engagement and lead qualification through to negotiation and agreement of terms. Working as part of a business focused team, you will collaborate closely with the NQCC’s technical and engagement teams, as well as with colleagues across STFC and partners within the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Your business development efforts will be underpinned by providing stakeholders with access to some of the UK’s most sophisticated quantum computing facilities and expertise, continuing to position the NQCC as a key enabler of innovation and growth in the sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Engagement: Identify and pursue new business opportunities by engaging partners across government, industry, and the research community.
• Pipeline Development: Build and maintain a robust pipeline of business opportunities, ensuring alignment with the NQCC’s strategic priorities and long-term objectives.
• Bid Management: Manage the NQCC’s bid review process, ensuring proposals are strategically sound and compliant with broader governance and funding frameworks.
• Stakeholder Management: Establish and nurture strong relationships with key stakeholders, serving as a primary point of contact for business development activities.
• Opportunity Development: Scope and develop business cases and funding proposals in collaboration with technical and non-technical teams.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor developments and emerging trends in quantum computing to inform strategic direction and identify new opportunities.
• Reporting & Metrics: Maintain relevant market landscape data, track engagement metrics, and report progress to the senior leadership.
• Advocacy & Representation: Promote the NQCC’s mission, capabilities, and outcomes to external audiences, representing the Centre both nationally and internationally.

Person Specification:

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• Educated to degree or HNC/HND level in a relevant technical, scientific or engineering subject area (or the equivalent industry experience) – S&I.
• Strong background in technical sales, business development or partnership management, with demonstrable evidence of generating value and measurable impact – S&I.
• Strategic mindset able to translate technical concepts into business opportunities, based on experience in technical research, scientific or deep tech environments – S&I.
• Highly developed interpersonal and networking skills, with a proven track record working collaboratively within a team and maintain relationships with external stakeholders – S&I.
• Excellent communication, bid writing and presentation skills, able to articulate value propositions to a range of different stakeholders / audiences up to director level – S&I.
• Excellent organisational skills including time management and task prioritization, with the ability to work to defined deadlines – S&I.
• Extensive IT skills, including experience in MS Office Suite – S&I.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the landscape for quantum computing and/or related technologies – S&I.

The post holder will be required to travel/work within the UK and overseas, when required.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, visithttps://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [e-mail].