General Manager: Commercialisation Enablement

Technology Innovation Agency; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) seeks a General Manager: Commercialisation Enablement to lead the transition of TRL 7–9 technologies to market. You will drive measurable commercial outcomes, industry adoption, and venture-building initiatives.

The role oversees strategy implementation, post-investment management, and market access programmes, reporting to executive leadership and partnering with industry, investors, and DFIs to scale high-growth ventures across South Africa.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in Business, Finance, Economics or Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue generation from commercialised technologies.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Change management

Result orientation

Accountability

Collaboration

Systems thinking

Education

Post-graduate degree (NQF 8) in Business/Finance/Economics/Engineering

MBA advantageous

Tools

Investment structuring

Negotiation authority

Market & industry analysis

Enterprise development & scaling

Job description

Details

Closing Date 2026/09/24

Reference Number TIA260904-3

Job Title General Manager: Commercialisation Enablement

Job Type Classification Permanent

Location - Town / City Pretoria

Location - Province Gauteng

Location - Country South Africa

Job Advert Summary

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a talent-driven, customer-centric, and impact-focused organisation committed to advancing technology innovation that delivers meaningful socio-economic outcomes. As part of this mission, TIA seeks to attract and retain high-performing professionals who embody teamwork, innovation, agility, customer focus, accountability, and a strong commitment to creating value. These attributes are cultivated to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, impact, and responsibility.

In fulfilling its mandate, TIA provides both financial and non-financial support to innovators and enterprises, enabling the development and commercialisation of technologies that contribute to economic growth, improve quality of life, and promote environmental sustainability.

Job Purpose:

To lead and strengthen TIA’s commercialisation enablement function by driving the transition of TRL 7–9 technologies to sustainable market entry. The role ensures measurable commercial outcomes, industry adoption, venture creation, scaling, and socio-economic impact, through implementation of the Commercialisation Enablement Strategy, the Venture Builder Programme, market access initiatives, and post-investment management.

Qualification

• A Post- graduate degree (NQF 8) in Business, Finance, Economics or Engineering.
• Preferably a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Commercial Law, Innovation Management, or related field (MBA advantageous).

Experience

• 10 -12 years’ experience in technology commercialisation, venture funding, investment structuring, or business development.
• 10 years executive/Snr leadership experience.
• Experience in public sector funding or innovation agency environment.
• Proven track record in structuring and closing commercial deals.
• 10 years Senior experience in commercialisation, venture development or investment.
• Experience in structuring licensing deals, equity exits, royalty models, strategic partnerships, and scaling high-growth ventures.
• Proven venture builder or accelerator experience.

Soft Skills

• Strategic thinking/Executive Presence
• Change Management and Adaptability
• Result orientation and accountability

Technical Skills

• Investment Structuring
• Negotiation Authority
• Market and Industry Analysis
• Enterprise Development and Scaling

Job Knowledge

• Engage Corporates, DFIs, Venture Capital, and international markets
• Platform-based market access, CRM responsiveness
• Data-driven pipeline management
• AI-assisted investor matching

COMPETENCIES

• Commercialisation & business modelling
• R&D management
• Strategic partnerships
• Strategic thinking
• Change leadership
• Risk-taking and calculated decision-making
• Collaboration & systems thinking

KEY RELATIONSHIP INTERFACES

Internal Relationships

• CEO / Executive Management
• Investment / Finance Teams
• Legal and IP Team

External Relationships

• Industry Partners & Corporates
• Investors & Venture Capitalists
• Government & Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
• Innovation & Technology Platforms / Networks

Duties and Responsibilities

FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE

Maximise return on innovation investment

• Drive revenue generation from commercialised technologies.
• Facilitate private sector co-investment and funding leverage.
• Improve financial sustainability of supported enterprises.
• Optimise cost-efficiency in commercialisation support programmes.
• Structure financially sound licensing, equity, and royalty agreements.

Access to Finance

• Facilitate co investment and follow on funding.
• Support investor readiness of supported enterprises.
• Mobilise private and institutional capital.

STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE

Strengthen industry uptake and ecosystem partnerships

• Build strategic partnerships with industry, corporates, investors, and venture capital.
• Facilitate market access and offtake agreements.
• CRM responsiveness.
• Represent TIA in commercialisation and innovation platforms.
• Build strategic partnerships with industry, corporates, investors, and venture capital.
• Strengthen collaboration with ecosystem stakeholders.

Market Access and Scaling

• Enable private, public and international market access.
• Support go-to-market strategies for supported enterprises.
• Facilitate participation in market platforms and industry programmes.

Beneficiary Support and Success

• Improve beneficiary (innovator/SMME) support experience.
• Support scaling and sustainability of supported enterprises.

INTERNAL PROCESSES

Commercialisation Enablement Strategy

• Translate commercialisation strategy into programmes, instruments and partnerships.
• Monitor impact of commercialisation interventions.
• Refine interventions based on ecosystem feedback.

Commercialisation Pipeline Management

• Manage commercialisation pipeline from TRL completion to market.
• Monitor progress across commercialisation stages.
• Develop commercialisation plans for technologies.
• Track pipeline performance and delays.
• Maintain balanced technology portfolio.

Due Diligence & Risk Management

• Conduct commercial due diligence on projects.
• Perform risk assessments prior to investment approvals.
• Monitor risk mitigation implementation.
• Track commercial performance post-investment.
• Manage portfolio risk exposure.

Deal Structuring & Contracting Efficiency

• Structure commercial deals and agreements.
• Conclude commercial agreements within service timelines.
• Manage legal review processes.
• Standardise contracting processes.
• Monitor compliance with agreements.

Venture Builder Programme

• Design and operate the Venture Builder Programme.
• Support founder formation, governance and capital mobilisation.
• Provide venture development and scaling support.

Post Investment and Exit Management

• Manage portfolio restructuring and performance.
• Execute exit strategies and capital recycling.
• Track long-term sustainability of supported enterprises.

LEARNING AND GROWTH

Build commercial capability and innovation culture

• Develop commercialisation and investment skills within the team.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration (Technology Development, Investment, Legal).
• Strengthen entrepreneurial mindset across supported entities.
• Drive knowledge sharing and ecosystem learning initiatives.
• Develop commercialisation and investment skills within the team.
• Improve employee engagement and retention.
• Strengthen organisational talent retention.
  

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