Senior Commercialisation Manager

University of Birmingham Enterprise; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Bonus up to 15%

41 days holiday + pension

Job summary

University of Birmingham Enterprise (UoBE) is seeking a commercially driven Senior Commercialisation Manager to lead the development of high‑potential IP, licensing opportunities and spinout ventures arising from one of the UK’s leading research universities.

Reporting to the Head of Intellectual Property and Commercialisation, you will manage a portfolio of IP‑rich opportunities, determine routes to market, and provide leadership to colleagues across the team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in IP commercialization and technology transfer.
• Proven track record in licensing, royalty structures, and post‑deal relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen across technical, market, legal and financial perspectives.
• Experience leading and mentoring teams in a university or startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment and development of IP commercialization opportunities.
• Structure and negotiate licensing, option, and IP-related agreements.
• Support spinout formation, venture development, and investment readiness.
• Manage relationships with founders, academics, investors and partners.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the commercialization team.
• Balance commercial potential, risk, and alignment with institutional objectives.

Skills

Licensing negotiations

IP commercialization

Business development

Leadership

Education

Degree in Science/Technology/Business/Law

Tools

Licensing agreements management

Job description

• Help turn world-class research into commercial success.
• Join an ambitious and collaborative environment.
• Play a pivotal role in the development of IP through to Licensing.

About us

University of Birmingham Enterprise (UoBE) is the University’s enterprise and commercialisation company, dedicated to turning world‑class research and expertise into products, services and ventures that deliver real impact locally, regionally, and globally. With a mission to catalyse the adoption of innovations developed by, with or at the University, UoBE supports intellectual property protection, licensing, spinout and Operating Division creation, consultancy, and incubation. UoBE also manages Birmingham Research Park, a vibrant innovation ecosystem home to over 50 companies. Operating collaboratively, open to new ideas, and driven by impact, UoBE plays a pivotal role in enabling innovation pathways from discovery to market.

UoBE is seeking a commercially driven professional with experience in IP Licensing to join as a Senior Commercialisation Manager to lead the development of high‑potential intellectual property, licensing opportunities and spinout ventures emerging from one of the UK’s leading research‑intensive universities.

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the Head of Intellectual Property and Commercialisation, you’ll manage a portfolio of IP‑rich opportunities and help determine the most effective route to market, whether through licensing, spinout creation, venture development, or strategic partnerships.

You’ll take opportunities from early assessment through to commercial execution, while also providing leadership, mentoring, and support to colleagues across the team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the assessment and development of commercialisation opportunities.
• Structuring and negotiating licensing, option, and IP‑related agreements.
• Supporting spinout formation, venture development, and investment readiness activities.
• Managing relationships with founders, academics, investors, and commercial partners.
• Providing leadership and guidance to commercialisation colleagues.
• Balancing commercial potential, risk, strategic value, and institutional objectives across a diverse portfolio.

What experience you’ll need to apply?

We’re looking for an experienced commercialisation professional with a strong track record in technology transfer (ideally from a TTO, University or start‑up environment) with emphasis on licensing and innovation management.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in IP commercialisation, technology transfer, licensing, or venture development.
• Proven experience in the successful commercialisation of licensing including developing, negotiating, or managing licences, royalty arrangements, diligence obligations, or post‑deal relationships – ideally from a Life Sciences/Pharma domain.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to assess opportunities from technical, market, legal and financial perspectives.
• Strong people leadership skills with proven management experience.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building abilities.
• Degree qualified in Science, Technology, Business, Legal or similar, with a higher degree or postgraduate qualification a bonus.
• Experience within a university, research‑intensive environment or technology transfer office is highly desirable, as is a deal sheet of successful Licences.

What you’ll get in return for your experience

You’ll receive a competitive salary with comprehensive benefits including up to 15% bonus, hybrid working (3 days a week in office), pension, and a total of 41 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays).

UoBE plays a central role in translating University of Birmingham research into real‑world impact. From licensing breakthrough technologies to creating successful spinout companies, you’ll have the opportunity to work on innovation that makes a difference locally, nationally, and globally.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward‑thinking organisation at the heart of innovation, helping shape the future of research commercialisation while developing your own leadership career.

Roy Bennett at ADLIB is our recruitment partner for this vacancy, feel free to contact [e-mail] if you would like any further information, or send your CV via this advert for Roy to review.