Chief Investment Officer jobs in United Kingdom

QUBIS is the commercialisation and investment arm of Queen's University Belfast, a research-intensive University and a member of the Russell Group. QUBIS is a private limited company that plays a very prominent role in the delivery of pipeline discovery science through to commercialisation. It has created over 100 spin-out companies, secured £155m in venture capital investment into Northern Ireland, and is the 3rd most active seed investor in the region. Queen's is the leading university in the UK for Entrepreneurial Impact based on production of IP, creation of spin-outs, and portfolio realisations, relative to research funding. QUBIS is expanding its innovation programme offering to support student and graduate enterprise, with the Student Launch pre-accelerator and a Graduate Launch accelerator.

QUBIS now seeks to appoint a Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to lead the strategic direction, management, and growth of the QUBIS investment portfolio.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CIO will play a critical role in overseeing spin-out creation, managing investment decisions, optimising portfolio performance, and building relationships with external investors and stakeholders. While the primary focus will remain on supporting and scaling University spin-outs, the CIO will also contribute to the development of graduate enterprise initiatives and evaluate opportunities to support strategic spin-in companies that align with QUBIS\'s innovation and investment goals. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with experience developing and managing spin-out and spin-in companies, technology commercialisation, and driving portfolio growth. The postholder will bring demonstrable experience in venture investment, private equity, or corporate venture capital, alongside a history of creating and growing early-stage companies from concept through formation to scaling. They will also be an effective leader, experienced in building high-performing teams and engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including investors, researchers and founders. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial instinct and experience in IP rights, licensing, equity, and joint ventures to maximise commercial impact.

• Lead the strategic direction, management, and growth of the QUBIS investment portfolio.
• Oversee spin-out creation, manage investment decisions, and optimise portfolio performance.
• Build and sustain relationships with external investors and stakeholders.
• Support and scale University spin-outs while contributing to graduate enterprise initiatives.
• Evaluate opportunities to support strategic spin-in companies aligned with QUBIS\'s goals.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams; engage investors, researchers, and founders.
• Apply strong commercial instincts with experience in IP rights, licensing, equity, and joint ventures.

• Strategic leader with experience developing and managing spin-out and spin-in companies, technology commercialisation, and driving portfolio growth.
• Experience in venture investment, private equity, or corporate venture capital.
• Track record of creating and growing early-stage companies from concept through formation to scaling.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams and engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (investors, researchers, founders).
• Strong commercial instinct and experience in IP rights, licensing, equity, and joint ventures.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com quoting reference 8025.

For informal inquiries please contact Chris McCann at Chris.McCann@perrettlaver.com.

Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae, detailing academic and professional qualifications and experience, full employment history and relevant achievements. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing briefly how candidates meet the criteria outlined in the person specification, why the appointment is of interest and what they believe they can bring to the role.

The closing date for applications will be 12pm BST Friday 19 September 2025.

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