Strategic Partnerships Manager

Hours per week: 37

Project Title: The role of the Strategic Partnerships Manager will support the Head of Business Development and Impact Team (BDI) in delivering Knowledge Exchange, Commercialisation, and Impact Strategies at the EI.

Expected/Ideal Start Date: 01 Jul 2025

Months Duration: Indefinite

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

The Strategic Partnerships Manager will play a key role in developing and managing partnerships with industry, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. The post holder will support the implementation of the institute’s Knowledge Exchange, Commercialisation, and Impact Strategies, ensuring translation of our research into societal and economic benefits. Working closely with researchers, industry, and funding bodies, the post holder will identify collaboration opportunities, support commercialisation efforts, and foster an entrepreneurial culture within the institute.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnership development and knowledge exchange, nurturing strategic partnerships with academic and industry.
2. Managing collaborations, providing coordination and project management, and facilitating stakeholder engagement.
3. Identification and protection of intellectual property and supporting commercialisation.
4. Supporting translation of research to maximise the societal, economic, and environmental impact of research.
5. Supporting development of skills and experience among researchers in developing business engagement, entrepreneurial, and commercialisation skills.

Key Relationships

Internal: Reporting to the Head of Business Development and Impact, the postholder will be a member of the Operations Division and will work closely with all EI staff and students. Key relations will be needed with group leaders, leads of the Institute Strategic Programmes, National Bioscience Research Infrastructure leads, and Research Faculty Office. The post holder will work closely with institute support functions such as contracts and finance, industrial partners, and funders.

External: The postholder will liaise with collaborators and partners of EI, colleagues working in Knowledge Exchange and Business Development functions on Norwich Research Park, external KEC Networks, funding agencies, e.g. BBSRC, Innovate UK, UK Research and Innovation, Government Departments, Local Government, representatives from local and national business organisations, and other academic organisations.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

1. Partnership Development & Knowledge Exchange:
   Identify, establish, and nurture strategic partnerships with academic and industry stakeholders to support research translation and impact.
2. Project & Stakeholder Management:
   Provide coordination and project management support for collaborative research initiatives.
3. Impact Strategy & Reporting:
   Develop and implement actionable plans to maximise the societal, economic, and environmental impact of research.
4. Intellectual Property & Commercialisation:
   Work closely with researchers to identify and protect intellectual property, liaising with IP attorneys and legal teams.
5. Training & Capacity Building:
   Support researchers in developing business engagement, entrepreneurial, and commercialisation skills.

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement: Degree in the biological or life sciences, or significant and relevant work experience in the life science sector. Importance: Essential

Postgraduate degree in a life science subject: Desirable

Professional qualification or equivalent training in technology transfer, knowledge exchange, intellectual property management, project management, contract or legal training: Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement: In-depth understanding of processes surrounding knowledge exchange and commercialisation of research in the life sciences sectors. Importance: Essential

Good analytical skills with ability to organise and manage information and produce reports for different audiences: Essential

Understanding of IP protection, patenting, and commercialisation in an academic setting: Desirable

Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Projects) and contact management databases and reporting tools: Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement: Ability to be flexible and adapt plans depending on operational needs, external and internal technological and personal factors. Importance: Essential

Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects effectively: Essential

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical content for diverse audiences: Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement: A commitment to professional development. Importance: Essential

Attention to detail: Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity: Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required: Essential

Who We Are

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

Why Join Us

Be part of a world-leading institute driving cutting-edge genomics and bioinformatics research, working on impactful projects tackling global challenges in food security, sustainability, and biodiversity. Engage with leading scientists, industry pioneers, and policy influencers to shape the future of knowledge exchange and commercialisation in life sciences.

How to apply

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004883.

The closing date for applications will be 26 May 2025.