Commercialisation Manager

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CSIR Excellence Awards

Job summary

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites applications for the Commercialisation Manager role based in Pretoria. The incumbent will implement the commercialisation strategy, manage deal origination and execution, and lead diverse initiatives within the Advanced Production and Security Division to drive technology exploitation and growth.

Applicants should have a Bachelor degree with 5–7 years in technology commercialisation, strong IP/tech transfer exposure, and proven

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with 5–7 years’ commercialisation experience in industry or RTO
• Postgraduate IP/Tech Transfer/Technology Management qualification
• MBA/CFA/CA advantageous
• SAQA evaluation for international qualifications
• Experience in developing commercialisation strategies and deal structuring

Responsibilities

• Originate, structure, negotiate and close commercialisation deals/transactions across sectors
• Undertake due diligence including market, technical, IP, financial, and commercial reviews
• Prepare investment and funding proposals, term sheets, business cases and marketing materials
• Perform financial modelling to assess technology development and commercial opportunities
• Mobilise funding from third party sources including VC/PE or public instruments
• Develop and implement commercialisation strategies for inventions and technologies
• Package technology/IP for licensing, partnerships, or start-ups and align with industry partners
• Lead stakeholder engagement with industry and public sector, locally and internationally
• Keep abreast of relevant legislation and policy changes

Skills

Excellent communicator

Business acumen

Stakeholder management

People management

Industry networks

Education

Bachelor Degree in Science/Engineering/Business/Finance

Postgraduate IP/Tech Transfer/Technology Management

MBA/CFA/CA advantageous

SAQA evaluation for international qualifications

Job description

Commercialisation Manager

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Commercialisation Manager in the

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Commercialisation Manager in the Advanced Production and Security Division. The incumbent will be accountable for implementing the commercialisation strategy, deal making, and driving various initiatives for the Division. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to the Senior Commercialisation Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate, structure, negotiate and close commercialisation deals/ transactions involving advanced technologies, across the spectrum including funding and investment financings for further technology development, business formation and acceleration, through to commercial licensing and exploitation arrangements for technology / intellectual property (IP), broadly focusing on assigned opportunities in mining, manufacturing, defence and security;
• Undertake due diligence exercises including market, technical, IP, financial, commercial, operational, team and business case review.
• Prepare high-quality deliverables for internal and external clients and stakeholders, including investment and funding proposals, term sheets, business cases, technology reviews, commercialisation recommendations, bespoke reports and marketing materials to support deal origination and successful execution.
• Perform in-depth financial modelling and analyses to ensure rigorous assessment of potential technology development and commercialisation opportunities using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Mobilise funding for technology development and commercialisation opportunities by third party funding sources / instruments including venture capital, private equity, industry partners or public funding instruments;
• Evaluate the strength and advancement of research and development relating to inventions for readiness and market uptake, support market facing technology development throughout the innovation lifecycle cycle, from ideation through to monetization, and assess commercial potential and properly position opportunities with the right industry partners or vehicles for industrialisation and commercial exploitation;
• Develop, recommend and implement commercialisation strategies for inventions and technologies at varying stages of maturity; evaluate capital needs, market potential and return on investment; interact effectively with the research community, attorneys, external business professionals, financiers and corporate partners;
• Package technology / IP for commercialisation and develop and drive industry fit and viable commercialisation / business cases as independently or as collaboratively as may be required, with technical and support teams in order to get the job done;
• Develop and implement appropriate modes of commercialisation for IP / technology opportunities including licensing, partnerships, joint ventures and new venture creation (start-ups and spinouts, incubation and acceleration), considering relevant aspects that may include regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g. Reserve Bank approvals, PFMA, IPR Act);
• Form, advise on, and review proposals, technology development and commercialisation arrangements and contracts;
• Develop, lead and manage intellectual property development and protection strategies; managing the intellectual property portfolio and associated reporting;
• Account for a robust, balanced portfolio and pipeline of commercialisation and intellectual property projects and leads;
• Effectively use market / business intelligence to inform the division and clusters¿ Research Development and Innovation (RDI) agenda, facilitate development of technologies for current and future competitiveness and ensure collaboration with industry and relevant parties locally and internationally;
• Lead and maintain in-depth stakeholder engagement in industry and the public sector at large; and
• Keep abreast of all relevant legislation policies and processes.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• Minimum qualification of a Bachelor Degree in Science / Engineering / Business / Finance with at least 5-7 years' commercialisation experience in industry, private equity, venture capital, management consulting, development finance or leading Research and Technology Organisation (RTO);
• Additional post graduate qualification in IP/Tech Transfer/Technology Management or relevant qualification
• Legal / business / finance qualification (e.g. MBA, CFA, CA) will be advantageous.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Relevant industry experience, knowledge and networks for technology commercialisation and resource mobilisation;
• Relevant industry experience, knowledge and expertise in the development of commercialisation strategies, business cases, financial modelling, valuation, deal structuring and negotiation involving innovation, technology or R&D output related projects, programmes, initiatives, businesses or ventures;
• Track record in investment markets/ private equity/ venture capital/ technology commercialisation;
• Excellent communicator with strong business acumen;
• High-level stakeholder management and industry-related networks;
• Excellent communicator with strong, demonstrable business acumen; and
• Strong people management and organisational development skills.

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date: 20 October 2026

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at [e-mail]

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant's educational qualification and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.