IP & Commercialisation Manager

Location: Singleton or Bay Campus, Swansea

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

Enterprise and entrepreneurship are at the heart of innovation at Swansea University. As a research-intensive institution, our vision is to be a leading global university that is renowned for empowering individuals to create a positive change in the world through enterprise, innovation, partnership, knowledge exchange, and transformative community engagement. We seek to create a lasting legacy of impact and added value that enriches the lives of individuals and communities, now and in the future. In order to meet its future ambitions, the University is looking to invest and build the core intellectual property (IP) commercialisation, consultancy and enterprise formation function.

This is a high profile role where you will be both internally and externally representing the university. Your success will depend on having experience with IP and related commercial transactions in a university context, ability to manage the full cycle of IP input into bids, IP clauses in contracts, disclosure, protection, management, exploitation and post deal management. 

The postholders will must ensure that interactions with industry and partners are managed so that liability is contained and intellectual property and financial return to both staff and the University is maximized. This will involve interfacing with senior academics, executives and investors to create a pipeline of commercial opportunities for license, assignment or embodiment in new company formation. It requires the ability to maintain both technical and commercial credibility with the various stakeholders, aligning everyone’s interest for a successful outcome. Experience associated with IP licensing or company formation within a University context is essential. The postholder will work closely with academics and university leadership.

You must have proven experience in developing mutually beneficial and sustained commercial relationships and capturing these in contractual terms. You will be able to quickly assimilate key information in unfamiliar areas. The role requires proficiency in negotiating complex deal terms, agility in problem-solving and determination to maintain progress toward achieving prioritised objectives. You will be well versed in the UK’s impact agenda, be knowledgeable about the funding environment and well-aware of researchers’ day-to-day motivations. 

Additional Information

Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.

Closing Date: 12 February 2025

Interview Dates: 10 - 11 March 2025

Informal Enquiries: Rhys Bowley r.a.bowley@swansea.ac.uk

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