Commercialisation Associate (Consultancy)

Cambridge Enterprise; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days holiday

Bupa private medical insurance

Hybrid role with flexible working

Generous University pension scheme

LinkedIn learning access

Family-friendly policies

Mental health support

Menopause Plan access

Retail and travel discounts

Job summary

Cambridge Enterprise is seeking a Commercialisation Associate to join the Consultancy team at West Cambridge. You will connect university experts with industry partners, drafting and negotiating contracts to enable knowledge transfer.

You will also manage the commercial side of your consultancy portfolio, including invoicing and ensuring funds are distributed appropriately, while enjoying a hybrid role with two days from home.

Qualifications

• Passion for innovation and driving impact.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and discretion in dealings.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of commercialisation principles.
• Attention to detail; contract accuracy and risk minimisation.
• Analytical problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with researchers, entrepreneurs and investors.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contracts enabling University staff and researchers to share expertise with industry partners.
• Manage invoicing, payments, and ensure funds are distributed appropriately across the consultancy portfolio.

Skills

Innovation passion

Communication skills

Commercial acumen

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Tools

Dynamics CRM

Job description

West Cambridge | From £40,000 | Full-time | Hybrid working (2 days from home)

What if your next role could connect groundbreaking ideas with global impact? Step into the world of consultancy with Cambridge Enterprise.

Why you will love this role:

Imagine being at the forefront of innovation, where every day you connect brilliant minds with opportunities to make real-world impact. As a Commercialisation Associate in the Consultancy team, you'll navigate the dynamic world of consultancy, helping University experts share their knowledge with industries, charities, and governments.

You will be the linchpin in drafting and negotiating contracts that enable University staff, researchers, and academics to use their expertise to help solve some of the key issues of our time. You will also manage the commercial aspects of your consultancy portfolio by taking care of invoicing, payment and ensuring the money is distributed appropriately.

What’s in it for you? A front-row seat to the latest in academia, a chance to hone your negotiation skills, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference - all while growing in a supportive, innovative environment.

What we’re looking for:

• A passion for innovation: You're excited about the potential of research to change the world.
• Strong communication skills: You can build relationships, negotiate effectively, and can work with tact, courtesy and discretion.
• Commercial acumen: You have a keen business sense and understand the principles of commercialisation.
• Attention to detail: You're organized and meticulous, ensuring that every contract and agreement is watertight.
• Problem-solving skills: You are able to think analytically, assess risk, make decisions, and take action
• Teamwork: You can manage your own workload, but you're also a collaborative individual who can work effectively with researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Nice to have:

• Experience in a customer-facing role.
• Experience working in a university or Higher Education environment supporting academics.
• Prior experience negotiating or drafting legal contracts.
• Familiarity with CRM systems like Dynamics.

Diversity and equality matter:

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they check every single box. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture,so if you feel you have most of the skills and experience needed, we’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact Kim or the People andCulture team [e-mail]

Why Cambridge Enterprise?

We are at the heart of Europe's most successful research and technology cluster and we're on a mission to bring innovation to life, making a difference to society, the UK economy, and the University of Cambridge. We connect the innovative minds of the University’s academics with the funding, start-up expertise and commercial relationships they need to help their ideas thrive.

Our success stories include an electric vehicle charging technology that's as convenient as filling up with petrol, a programme to prevent ideological extremism, and the world's first treatment for a rare cause of blindness. Now, we need a Commercialisation Associateto join our team at our vibrant West Cambridge site.

Perks at a glance:

• 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Class-leading Bupa private medical insurance
• Hybrid role with genuine flexible working – including work from abroad for up to 30 days a year in most roles
• Generous University pension scheme.
• A commitment to personal development including LinkedIn learning.
• Family-friendly policies (including enhanced parental leave & childcare benefits, fertility leave, and pregnancy loss leave)
• Mental health and well-being support including access to free counselling.
• Access to Bupa’s Menopause Plan for expert advice and support.
• Retail and travel discounts.

Key dates:

Closing date: 4th October 2026
First interviews: 20-21 October 2026
Second interviews: 27-28 October 2026

If we get a strong response, we may close the role a little earlier than planned. This could mean the timelines or key dates shift slightly, so we’d recommend applying soon.