Commercial Tendering Manager (Pre-Contract)

The role

The recently established Commercial Research (Pre-Contract) Team is dedicated to ensuring the University’s commercial research projects deliver valuable benefits for the University, our partners and the world at large. We support world class researchers leading cutting edge research, spanning sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, space, veterinary technologies, and education.

Our small, friendly team supports industry funded research, and commercial tendering for commissioned research (not grant funding) from public and private sector customers. This new role will take the lead on commercial tendering, building on existing foundations to make it their own, and establishing themself as the University expert and point of contact.

You’ll be responsible for ensuring that our researchers wanting to submit a tender, can follow clear and simple internal and external processes, through bid submission to contract signature, providing support along the way to maximise the chance of success. A typical case might involve a bid for research needed by the European Space Agency (budget of ~£250-500K or much higher).

What will you be doing?

You’ll work closely with stakeholders (including senior academics, our Research Contracts & Compliance Team for advice on T&Cs and compliance matters, and Finance Services for costing/pricing expertise), to drive forward proposals (including a deliverable work package, price, response to customer T&Cs), meeting deadlines, and ensuring each is supported by a valid internal justification reflecting the shape of the deal.

You will also:

• take responsibility for processes already in place for University ‘approved’ customer platforms e.g. Crown Commercial Services, European Space Agency.
• lead work required to obtain University approval of other platforms and devising/implementing appropriate processes for these (also deciding how to prioritise these);
• handle requests to bid for research on unapproved platforms. advise on how the University approaches commercial tendering activities and identifying ways to increase submission rates and success in this area.

You should apply if

• Enjoy navigating varied and complex external processes (e.g. government tendering platforms like Crown Commercial Services) and helping others to do this.
• Thrive on devising and implementing efficient and effective internal processes, using your initiative and problem-solving and influencing skills to ensure all stakeholder needs are met.
• Enjoy a fast-paced working environment, progressing a constantly changing caseload.
• Have experience of working with stakeholders with differing priorities, and the skills to find common ground for mutual benefit – ideally at the intersection of academia and other sectors.
• Have experience of working with others to develop or assess deliverable proposals and negotiate sound commercial deals (ideally this will include research proposals).
• Have awareness of the research funding environment and how research projects are set up and carried out.

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. The University promotes a supportive and empowering culture, please apply if you feel you meet the majority of these competencies.

Additional information

For informal queries about the role, please contact:

Christine Nileshwar, christine.nileshwar@bristol.ac.uk

We are planning to hold interviews on Monday 22nd July 2024.

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