Commercial Development and Innovation Manager

Arts University Plymouth; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading arts university in Plymouth is seeking a Commercial Development and Innovation Manager to lead income generation and commercial development. This role involves driving the commercial agenda, building partnerships, and managing projects. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in generating income through services and strong project management skills. Join us in expanding our external profile and achieving strategic goals.

Benefits

18 days annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted bus tickets

Qualifications

• Proven track record of generating income through services, partnerships, and innovation.
• Experience negotiating contracts and managing client relationships.
• Evidence of meeting financial targets and KPIs.
• Strong project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop an approach to achieve the University’s commercial ambitions.
• Build a pipeline of repeat clients across various sectors.
• Secure income via consultancy and paid courses.
• Manage and support the Fab Lab South West technical team.

Skills

Income generation

Client relationship management

Project management

Strong communication

Job description

Overview

Salary: Band 9 - starting salary FTE £44,128 (£26,477 Pro rata) with annual, incremental progression up to FTE £48,148 (£28,889 Pro rata). Hours: 22.2 hours/3 days per week (37 hours FTE). Contract Type: Permanent. Closing date: 19 October 2025.

Arts University Plymouth is seeking a Commercial Development and Innovation Manager (0.6 FTE, Band 9) to lead income generation and commercial development across the University’s creative and specialist strengths, including Fab Lab South West. This new role sits within the Office for Research and Innovation.

As the Commercial Development and Innovation Manager, you will drive the commercial agenda, build external partnerships, and oversee commercial projects and services. You will also line-manage the Fab Lab Coordinator (Product Design and Prototyping Specialist) and support the team in balancing commercial targets with curriculum delivery.

Through this role, you will play a central role in expanding the University’s external profile in consultancy, contract research, and innovation services, turning opportunities into tangible, income-generating outcomes that support a sustainable future.

About You

• A proven track record of generating income through services, partnerships, and innovation.
• Experience negotiating contracts and pricing, scoping and costing work, and managing client relationships; confident presenting to clients and funders.
• Evidence of setting, monitoring, and meeting financial targets and KPIs, including pipeline management and reporting.
• A dynamic communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management skills, able to coordinate delivery across teams, manage budgets, and meet deadlines.

About The Role

• Develop an approach to achieve the University’s commercial ambitions and meet its strategic KPIs.
• Build a pipeline of repeat clients across creative, digital, manufacturing, and public sectors.
• Secure income via consultancy, commissions, contract research, facilities and equipment services, and paid courses; prepare bids aligned to strategy and measurable outputs.
• Manage and support the Fab Lab South West technical team to meet their targets.
• Lead on the areas of intellectual property, confidentiality, and compliance within the University’s commercial activity.

In return you’ll receive

• 18 (30 FTE) days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, and closure efficiency days.
• Access to a supportive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enrollment onto a generous Local Government Pension scheme.
• Additional benefits such as a cycle to work scheme and discounted bus tickets.

Please refer to the role profile for more information - Commercial Development and Innovation Manager.

The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to our ambitions and international profile as an innovative, sustainable and broadly inclusive arts university.

Safeguarding and Compliance: All appointments are subject to a DBS check, and you will be required to provide appropriate documentation as part of the onboarding process.

Right to Work: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. Proof of Right to Work will be required before an offer of employment is made.

How to Apply: To apply, please complete the online application form. Please note that we are unable to accept CVs in place of a completed application.

Additional information

• We encourage early applications, as the advert may close prior to the listed closing date due to high levels of interest. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

If you are interested in the role and would like to find out more, please contact Ian Hutchinson, Director of Development and Partnerships. Arts University Plymouth has a strong commitment to safeguarding and welfare of young people and vulnerable adults; a satisfactory DBS disclosure will be required from successful candidates as a condition of appointment.

We celebrate equality, diversity and difference, and welcome candidates from all communities, including applications from service people and their families as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Creative Education for a Changing World: Arts University Plymouth will set a vision towards 2030 based upon sustainable growth, solution-focused teaching and research, and a commitment to impactful social justice and ecological change through its people, culture and place. Our strategy is built on three pillars: Creative Endeavour, Sustainable Futures, and People & Place. It will guide all of our creative endeavours and emphasise authenticity, fulfilment and kindness in thinking, making and living.

The Fab Lab Network/Fab Foundation: The Fab Lab Network is a global open, creative community of fabricators and educators with labs in over 90 countries. It aims to democratise access to fabrication tools and to advance education and research in digitised fabrication.

Plymouth: Our city is recognised for quality of life and cultural vitality, supporting a vibrant innovation ecosystem and strong connectivity.

For further information about the role or the organisation, please refer to the role profile and contact details in the original posting.