Senior Business Development Manager (ERA and Midlands Innovation) (fixed term)

We are recruiting for an experienced and highly motivated self-starter that can drive collaborative research and business engagement activity for the Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) programme and other Midlands Innovation platforms as required. A core platform of the Midlands Innovation university partnership, applicants with a background in the energy sector and with business development experience are encouraged to apply. This is an exciting Senior Business Development role, offered on a full-time, fixed-term basis, providing an excellent opportunity to build relationships with 9 Midlands research organisations. 

The Energy Research Accelerator is a strategic collaboration that brings together eight academic partners: the Universities of Aston, Birmingham, Cranfield, Keele, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Warwick and the British Geological Survey. This high-profile programme received a £60M capital investment from government in 2016 leading to the creation of new energy research and demonstration infrastructure across the region. A flagship project for the Midlands Innovation university partnership, the programme has delivered multiple high-value projects since it commenced.

The successful candidate will lead and work proactively with the ERA Leadership Group, university partners, academic staff, collaborating partners, industry networks, research funders and the Midlands Innovation team to provide co-ordination, support and business development activity to increase the volume of collaborative energy research within the partnership.

You will create opportunities that result in the identification and delivery of large-scale funding applications across the energy ecosystem. You will lead on business development activities that strengthen the collaborations between the ERA partners to grow collaborative activity in energy across the region and beyond. You will be a confident project manager able to build positive relationships with a diverse group of people.

Your skills will enable you to develop effective working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, work closely with the ERA and Midlands Innovation team, and colleagues across the MI partnership, build trust with academic colleagues, and champion innovation that maintains the growth and reputation of ERA and Midlands Innovation.

You should be committed to working in and contributing to an environment of continuous improvement and will contribute towards the ongoing development and implementation of effective procedures and systems supporting research collaborations and interfaces with other teams and stakeholders.

The post is offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 July 2026. Hours of work are full-time (36.25 hours) and a flexible, hybrid working pattern is available. Applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part-time (minimum 29 hours per week). Please specify in your application if you wish to work part time and the number of preferred hours. Job share arrangements may also be considered.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Sue Clayton, email SUE.CLAYTON@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

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