Engineering & Physical Sciences Commercialisation Lead

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous pension

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Head of Commercialisation to lead the Commercialisation Journey across diverse opportunities. You will line-manage a team, mentor engineers, and develop training materials to translate research into market-ready value propositions.

You will drive strategic IP activities, negotiate licenses and investments, oversee records, and manage high-value projects while coordinating with internal and external experts.

Qualifications

• Essential: enthusiasm for commercialisation of academic research outputs and a motivation to build new products and services
• Essential: experience of undertaking technical research in Engineering or Physical Sciences, preferably to postgraduate level
• Essential: experience of using market discovery methods to identify and adapt value propositions based on new technologies
• Essential: understanding of capturing value through IP rights
• Essential: experience leading successful commercial negotiations (investment, IP licensing)
• Essential: initiative and ownership in tasks
• Essential: ability to manage a diverse portfolio of projects
• Essential: ability to conduct independent research (technical, market, commercial)
• Essential: experience working with external experts (legal, financial)
• Desirable: leadership experience in startup/spin-out environments

Responsibilities

• Lead activities relating to the Commercialisation Journey for a range of opportunities
• Line management of other members of the commercialisation team
• Provide guidance, training, coaching & mentorship to engineers embarking on the Commercialisation Journey
• Deliver Commercialisation Journey training to teams and cohorts, maintaining training materials
• Develop and utilise commercial and technical knowledge to translate research into value propositions with market fit
• Lead commercial negotiations relating to IP licences, investment terms and shareholder rights
• Oversee and ensure accurate record keeping for projects and reporting
• Project manage high-value commercialisation opportunities, especially IP licences
• Support innovators to secure internal and external funding; monitor budgets and contribute forecasts
• Report on the portfolio; lead bids to internal investment committee
• Take responsibility for due diligence on IP ownership, funding history and regulatory compliance
• Identify improvements to the Journey and align with faculty innovation plans
• Promote IP strategies and pre-accelerator/accelerator engagement
• Contribute to development of university policies and strengthen partnerships
• Represent Sheffield in professional fora and share best practice

Skills

Commercialisation of academic research

Engineering/Physical sciences research

Market discovery methods

IP rights capture

Commercial negotiations

Initiative & ownership

Portfolio management

Independent research

External collaboration (legal/finance)

Training programme development

Education

Postgraduate level in Engineering/Physical Sciences

Job description

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Head of Commercialisation to lead the Commercialisation Journey across diverse opportunities. You will line-manage a team, mentor engineers, and develop training materials to translate research into market-ready value propositions.

You will drive strategic IP activities, negotiate licenses and investments, oversee records, and manage high-value projects while coordinating with internal and external experts.