Commercial Manager (Maternity Cover) - Research, Innovation and Enterprise

RGU; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

RGU seeks a Commercial Manager to drive business and commercial opportunities, enhancing relationships between research and innovation. This role involves assessing opportunities, developing proposals, and leading teams to maximize returns for the University. The position offers a flexible work environment, generous leave, and a commitment to diversity.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

46 days annual leave

Onsite nursery

Sports centre access

Voluntary health and travel benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial or business development role, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrable track record of generating and securing commercial income streams.
• Experience in developing and implementing business plans to achieve KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure business opportunities aligned with the university’s priorities.
• Lead the commercial and business development teams to achieve targets.
• Negotiate commercial terms and provide guidance on commercialization.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Masters or higher degree in business, finance, law or related field

Job description

As a University which is proud of its links with industry and delivering real-world research, RGU works closely with regional and national partners to drive sustainable economic growth and helping organizations to be innovative. The Commercial Manager plays a crucial part in this ecosystem.

We are looking for a dynamic individual to play a strategic role in strengthening the relationships between research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) and to identify, drive, secure and maximise return from business and commercial opportunities for the University.

As the Commercial Manager you will have responsibility for assessing commercial opportunities, developing proposals and negotiating terms. You will also work closely with colleagues in Research as well as those responsible for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. RGU has set ambitious targets to develop the synergies across research, innovation and enterprise to the benefit of the University, the region and beyond, and as the Commercial Manager you will play a key role in delivering on that ambition.

This is a fixed term role for 12 months.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

We are committed to attracting and engaging a diverse range of staff and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome, comfortable to express their ideas, and can reach their full potential. For more information, please visit Our Diverse Workforce pages.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Vice Principal Research and Regional Engagement

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Commercial Team, Business Development Team , Knowledge Exchange Manager , Project Manager

PURPOSE OF POST: To identify, drive, secure and maximise return from business and commercial opportunities for the University, aligned with the University’s thematic priorities, while managing risk and play a strategic role in strengthening the relationships between research, innovation and enterprise in support of the University’s ambitions in this area.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Working closely with the Head of Research Strategy, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the wider academic community, lead the identification, development and securing of business opportunities emerging from the research, innovation and enterprise activity and aligned with the university’s thematic priorities;

• Ensure the University’s commercial interests are reflected through assessment of opportunities, development of commercial proposals, negotiation of commercial terms and providing guidance to staff on commercialisation as part of the university’s wider strategy to capitalize on the links between research, innovation and enterprise;

• Have responsibility through working with other Professional Services Departments and Schools for the University’s commercial processes, including IP commercialisation, to maximise return and mitigate risk for the Institution;

• Lead and develop the commercial and business development teams as part of the newly formed Research, Innovation and Enterprise unit, including setting and reviewing objectives as part of annual appraisals, to achieve relevant university targets and KPIs, with a focus on generating profitable business for the University emerging from its research and innovation activity;

• Work directly with Executive, Schools and Departments to ensure cohesion of effort and approach, throughout the commercial projects value chain and to maximise return to the University;

• Grow the value of the University’s knowledge exchange activity;

• Undertake business assessment and modelling for significant institutional initiatives and assets, including strategic international and national partnerships, supporting the Partnership Office as required;

• Inform University developments by advising on industry trends;

• Support members of Executive in the development of, and reporting on, strategic university developments and initiatives;

• Represent the University and department, as appropriate, in relevant external and internal groups.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Masters or other higher level degree in business, finance, law or a related field.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven skills and experience in a senior commercial or business development role, preferably within higher education, public sector, or a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation.

• Strong commercial acumen and skills including in commercial models, approaches, negotiation and risk management.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data to inform decision-making.

• Understanding and awareness of government priorities in relation to business, research, innovation and enterprise, and relevant funding bodies.

• The ability to lead, inspire and support a team to achieve its potential.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels.

• Knowledge of intellectual property and IP commercialisation approaches (desirable but not essential).

Experience

• Demonstrable track record of generating, growing and securing commercial income streams.

• Experience in developing and implementing business plans to achieve relevant KPIs.

• Experience in a higher education environment.

• Experience of leading and managing organisational change.

• Experience managing high value contracts and external partnerships.

• Demonstrable experience in external engagement with private, public and third sector organisations, and ability to build internal networks across a large, complex organisation.

• Excellent task management skills and proven ability to use initiative, prioritise workloads for self and others and respond positively to competing demands and deadlines

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 2: Service Delivery - Experience of setting high standards and determining the quality of service to be provided to achieve strategic goals.

Behaviour 3: Liaison and Networking - Experiences of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner; working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships; leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest.

Behaviour 4: Initiative and Problem Solving - Experience of resolving new problems where there is a mass of information or diverse, partial and conflicting data with a range of potential suitable options.

Behaviour 5: Decision Making - Experiences of using own judgement to make decisions; making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions; providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.

Behaviour 6: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of being responsible for the operational planning and organisation of large projects or the coordination of a number of teams or projects, including setting performance standards and monitoring procedures