Managing Director : Csir C-

findojobs-za; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization in Pretoria is looking for a Managing Director to lead and manage CSIR C. This role involves strategic leadership, business development, and operational oversight to drive the commercialization of intellectual property. Ideal candidates will have extensive leadership experience and strong skills in partnership development. Benefits include hybrid work arrangements and competitive remuneration packages.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration packages

Qualifications

• At least ten to fifteen years of senior leadership experience.
• Experience in technology commercialization or startup ecosystems.
• Governance and Directorship Credentials.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for CSIR C.
• Define and execute the strategic vision aligned with development goals.
• Build and manage partnerships with industry and investors.

Skills

Business development

IP management

Strategic partnerships

Financial acumen

Negotiation skills

Education

Masters in Science or Engineering

Bachelor of Commerce

Masters in Business Administration

Job description

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organization that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa.

The organization’s work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Managing Director : CSIR C?

CSIR : C3 is a CSIR wholly owned enterprise responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) of the CSIR and its partners by creating an ecosystem of investors, entrepreneurs, and a pool of commercialisable IP.

Managing Director : CSIR C (Five‑year Contract Position) Position level, Executive Management. About the Job: The CSIR has a vacancy for a Managing Director for CSIR C. The successful incumbent will provide leadership, strategic direction, financial, people and operational management of CSIR : C3.

They will enable the commercialisation of CSIR and partner IP through licensing and equity investment in collaboration with private investors and entrepreneurs.

The incumbent will also ensure compliance with regulations, implement governance structures, recruit and develop human resources, and secure sufficient financial resources to sustain CSIR : C3.

This position is based in Pretoria.

The CSIR set up CSIR C as an enterprise to commercialise its intellectual property at a pace and scale in keeping with its industrial development strategy and its vision to accelerate socioeconomic prosperity through leading innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the strategic vision for CSIR C in alignment with CSIRs broader industrial development and innovation goals.
• Lead the development and implementation of commercialization strategies for CSIR and partner technologies across all CSIR relevant sectors.
• Undertake periodic strategic reviews of CSIR IP portfolios.
• Business Development and Partnerships: Build and manage partnerships with industry, investors, and government to accelerate the uptake of CSIR technologies; identify and nurture spin‑offs, startups, and joint ventures based on CSIR and partner IP; develop partnerships with CSIR internal stakeholders and IP developers.
• Investment and Fundraising: Attract investment to support commercialization efforts, including venture capital, public‑private partnerships, and donor funding; invest in viable enterprises that will provide a positive return to the CSIR and its partners; oversee financial sustainability and growth of CSIR C.
• Operational Oversight: Lead a team of specialists in IP commercialization; ensure effective governance, compliance, and performance management; develop operational policies, frameworks, guidelines for the business; obtain all necessary National Treasury exemptions to allow CSIR : C3 to function effectively; implement systems and tools to support business performance, portfolio analysis.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Represent CSIR C in national and international forums; engage with policymakers, industry leaders, and the innovation ecosystem to promote CSIR technologies; develop and manage an ecosystem of partners including technology licensees, public and private sector investors.
• Innovation Pipeline Management: Prioritize and manage the pipeline of technologies for commercialization; guide the development and readiness of technologies for market through validation, prototyping, and IP protection.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A minimum qualification of a Masters in Science or Engineering or a Bachelor of Commerce degree with majors in accounting or business management.
• A Masters in Business Administration or Masters in Business Leadership will be an advantage.
• At least ten‑fifteen years of senior leadership experience, ideally in technology commercialization, innovation‑driven enterprises, research and development (RD), venture creation or startup ecosystems.
• Governance and Directorship Credentials: At least three years of directorship or senior management experience in the past five years.
• Understanding of the SA IP legislative frameworks and regime; knowledge of and experience with the PFMA, Companies Act and NT regulations.
• The Managing Director must be a fit and proper person to fulfil the role of director.
• Proven track record in business development, IP management, and strategic partnerships.
• Deep understanding of South Africa's innovation ecosystem and public‑private collaboration.
• Strategic thinking and execution; stakeholder engagement and influence; financial and operational acumen; techno‑economic assessment; deal structuring; negotiation skills; people management; organised execution.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Whats in it for you?

The CSIR offers :

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• 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 : 09 October

• PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY. For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre.

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer and 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 require 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 further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.