Business Development Manager

Contract type: Fixed term for three years

Working pattern: Core business hours

Role Description

The Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre (GTIMC) at the University of Sheffield is one of three pioneering hubs in the UK dedicated to advancing the clinical development of new genetic treatment options for millions of patients with life-threatening diseases. The core of the centre will be an MHRA licensed Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility manufacturing clinical grade Adeno Associated Virus (AAV) gene therapy products with all the necessary quality assurance and regulatory certification for human trials at NHS hospital sites. As a brand-new manufacturing facility, we are exceptionally well resourced, housing state of the art equipment, including prototypes from leading manufacturers.

We are recruiting a Business Development Manager to help grow our business and expand the reach of our services within the cell and gene therapy sector. You will: 1) forge relationships within the sector to identify new clients and collaborators; 2) work with other university and industry teams to generate quotes, contracts, and carry out IP due diligence; 3) contribute towards GTIMC communications; 4) support the projects team in managing client projects through all stages of the project lifecycle; and 5) contribute towards GTIMC income strategy.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Networking within the cell and gene therapy sector to increase the visibility of the GTIMC and innovation hubs, forge new collaborations, and meet prospective partners/clients. This will include representing the GTIMC at conferences and other networking events.
• Support GTIMC business engagement and commercialisation activities including:
  • Development, protection, and exploitation of University IP.
  • Negotiating necessary in-licensing of processes for the GTIMC.
  • Development of knowledge exchange (KE) with industry and other collaborators, including collaborative research, contract research, and consultancy.
  • Identifying, quoting, and contracting with prospective clients.
  • Develop and implement strategies for business growth, revenue generation, and exploration of potential expansion.
  • Liaising with University KE and Commercialisation Teams as appropriate.
• Collaborate with University of Sheffield finance teams to effectively evaluate GTIMC running costs, accurately price our services, and generate quotes for clients.
• Work closely with LifeArc, MRC, and the network of Innovation Hubs for Gene Therapies (IHfGT) to coordinate activities and help establish the hubs as a key player in the UK gene therapy sector.
• Collaborate with University of Sheffield communications teams to establish and maintain GTIMC communications streams, e.g., for the GTIMC website and LinkedIn page.
• Support the Head of Projects in the management of projects at the GTIMC. This will include onboarding clients, project scoping and planning, monitoring progress through project stages, stakeholder management, project reporting, and project closure.
• Contribute to the provision of support and regulatory guidance to clients to guide them through the process of translating their research into a clinical medicine that is effective and safe for humans.
• Communicating with important stakeholders such as MRC/LifeArc, the other innovation hubs, various university teams and subgroups, clients, and funders.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.

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