Business Development Manager (Space and Earth Observation) Enterprise and Business Development Office Salary Grade 8 Up to 51,702 per annum dependent on experience Open Ended Contract Ref: CSE00925 At Leicester we re going places. Ranked in the top 20 universities in Britain our aim is to climb further. A commitment to high quality fused with an inclusive academic culture is our hallmark and led the Times Higher Education to describe us as elite without being elitist. Responsible to the Director of Enterprise & Business Development, the post will lead, manage and develop the commercial exploitation of research and expertise in the areas of Space and Earth Observation within the College of Science and Engineering. The role holder will report to the Business Development Manager (Science and Engineering) and will work closely with the University s Business Development and Technology Transfer teams to grow the University s commercial and knowledge exchange portfolio. The holder will engage strongly with existing KE academic expertise and KE operations in the College as well as developing new activities, including provided an embedded presence in key existing College KE operations. The Business Development Manager (Space and Earth Observation) will identify and develop commercially relevant opportunities for business engagement, especially those involving industry through consultancy and contract research, and collaborative schemes within the UK (e.g. ESA, TSB, Satellite Applications Catapult Centre) to deliver and execute a long term plan for revenue growth and impact. This will be underpinned by the provision of a high level of customer service to develop and maintain positive client and researcher relationships The University There s never been a more exciting time to join us. At the University of Leicester we are enjoying research success on a world stage and gathering the awards and plaudits to match. We are described as elite without being elitist. We are proud to be elite. But we are at least as proud to be an inclusive and progressive university. This commitment to high quality, an inclusive academic culture and belief in the synergy of teaching and research are our hallmarks. We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research that is delivered in an academic community that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students. Our approach to research yields great rewards. Our research impact, measured by citations per academic, is the sixth highest in the UK. Our success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise saw Quality Related research income rise by 18% placing us firmly amongst Britain s top 20 research
universities by this measure. The RAE also revealed that Leicester is home to Britain s top-rated research department Museum Studies which has the highest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK. We believe that teaching and research are synergistic, and the National Student Survey demonstrates that the quality of our teaching is amongst the highest in the country. Since the launch of the survey in 2006, Leicester has consistently featured amongst the top-10 universities in England for student satisfaction. The Sunday Times described Leicester as "top... amongst mainstream multifaculty universities for student satisfaction". Currently a University of 23,000 students, with a turnover of 260m and 3,800 colleagues, our future is bright. Our Strategic Vision describes our plans to invest a billion pounds in our estate as we transform our campus. Already consistently ranked in the top-20 universities in Britain, by 2015 we aim to rise further to become top-10. Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain s top-20 universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups. As a group of talented individuals we are more diverse than ever and stronger for it. At Leicester we are proud of our distinct approach, our achievements and our ambitious plans. If you share our approach join us. Enterprise and Business Development Office The Enterprise and Business Development (EBD) Office is a busy department with a friendly team of 35 staff. Its mission is to help promote the University's commercial research, technology and consultancy resources, to protect the associated interests and assets (be they human, intellectual, virtual, financial, physical, or otherwise), and to drive the commercialisation of research in partnership with external agencies and industry. Supporting an increasingly important and successful area of University activity, the EBD Office principal functions include the protection and exploitation of the University s intellectual property and assets; facilitating partnerships with industry and businesses; supporting a culture of enterprise within the University; and enhancing regional economic development through regeneration activities. The EBD Office is organised into divisions: commercial contracts, continuing professional development (CPD); business development, regeneration and technology transfer. Each division offers dedicated support in their specialist areas as part of a wider College-based enterprise team. Members of the EBDO therefore have a broad range of expertise in, for example, market research, financial management, intellectual property, funding sources, law of contracts, licensing and spin-out companies. For further information about the EBD office please go to: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ebdo Your Role Responsible to the Director of Enterprise & Business Development, the post will lead, manage and develop the commercial exploitation of research and expertise in the areas of Space and Earth Observation within the College of Science and Engineering. The role holder will report to the Business Development Manager (Science and Engineering) and will work closely with the University s Business Development and Technology Transfer teams to grow the University s commercial and knowledge exchange portfolio. The holder will engage strongly with existing KE academic expertise and KE operations in the College as well as developing new activities, including provided an embedded presence in key existing College KE operations. University of Leicester 2 29 August 2014
Principal Accountabilities Business Development To undertake business and industry partner engagement and relationship management activities in accordance with the University and College of Science and Engineering Enterprise Strategy. Working with the relevant departments, KE units and fellows, the Business Development Manager to develop and execute a commercial KE strategy for space activities and applications, including Earth Observation. To manage a pipeline of enterprise engagement opportunities arising from existing and new high level engagement activities, providing appropriate leadership and guidance to the developing partnership, ensuring follow-through and inclusion of academic and other staff where appropriate, utilising and managing an appropriate CRM system. To work with academic staff and research groups within the College of Science and Engineering, and in multidisciplinary teams as necessary, developing a clear and comprehensive understanding of research undertaken, to identify areas of research with potential for further development with commercial partners, and to identify and develop partnerships with such partners in conjunction with the appropriate academics To identify and pursue funding opportunities, especially those involving industry through consultancy and contract research, and collaborative schemes within the UK (e.g. ESA, TSB, Satellite Applications Catapult Centre) in support of the above activity, growing technical sales and revenue volumes from current levels assisting in the delivery of College enterprise targets. To develop exceptionally strong working relationships with academic colleagues in the College, operating as a business partner to ensure the efficient and effective provision of central services to academic departments. To advise in the development of marketing and sales materials from the College of Science and Engineering in support of University enterprise activity. To represent the University at an appropriate range of external events including conferences and exhibitions in a strategic manner in concert with college themes for research and with existing KE activities such as G-STEP and the Space Research Centre. To work closely with other business development and technology transfer staff in the College of Science & Engineering, to build on each other s engagement activities to the mutual benefit, particularly in the area of sales of consultancy and contract research offered by the College. To advise College senior management on the future development of research-based enterprise and translational activities, including anticipated research and technology priorities of potential industrial partners and non/government organisations. To work collaboratively with staff from EBD, College Office, Research Support Office and Finance to ensure effective client relationship and services management. Other To undertake the effective recording and reporting of research sales, income and activity, and the provision of related management information to the EBD Management Team and University Senior Management as directed, and the College Management Board on a quarterly basis. University of Leicester 3 29 August 2014
To contribute to, undertake other activities in support of the remit of the EBD Office, which may include activities relating to service provision, and in support of local and regional engagement. To undertake other duties as may be required by the Director, EBD. This post will primarily provide support to the College of Science and Engineering but may provide support to other non-science colleges as required. Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential Desirable First Degree (Physical Sciences or Engineering) or equivalent professional qualification.* Substantial experience of business development and the development of research in industry.* Proven track record of developing, writing and securing bids for funding. Experience of marketing and selling a complex mix of technical products and services to customers in wide range of business and industry sectors. Ideally a higher degree in Physical Science, Engineering or Earth Observation-related disciplines Track record of enabling KE impacts from academic research* Experience of the Space sector (ideally upstream and down stream)* Experience of working with commercial partners to develop innovation projects Experience of KE activities in Research Councils Skills, Abilities and Competencies Essential Ability to build strong credible relationships with existing and potential commercial partners and with academic staff. Ability to assimilate technical information at top level and be able to convey the key attributes to a range of organisations. Ability to identify, nurture and critically evaluate the commercial potential of early stage research and communicate the outcome to academics in a professional and timely manner.* Ability to market the University of Leicester and its key attributes to a range of external audiences, and to land opportunities for income generation.* Ability to formulate project and early stage business plans for knowledge exchange opportunities. Demonstrate self-starter ability to work co-operatively as part of a team under pressure and to tight deadlines.* Excellent written* and verbal communication. University of Leicester 4 29 August 2014
Ability to write successful funding bids to national and regional bodies to develop knowledge transfer activities. Commitment to and experience* of delivery of performance targets. Ability to understand the KE policies and operations of national funders, and the relationship to the innovation process. Proven, negotiation, influencing, communication and presentation skills.* Numeracy and a facility with IT tools. Desirable Proven ability to draft and negotiate contracts. Ability to understand complex legal documentation and due diligence processes. Proven strong management skills Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of academics in the University environment, and of the stages of maturity of academic research. (* Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview) Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Mr William Wells on ww88@le.ac.uk or 0116 223 1376. Applications For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: www.le.ac.uk/joinus The closing date for this post is midnight on Monday 29 th September 2014. Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University. If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful. University of Leicester 5 29 August 2014