For a conversation about the role or any further information please contact Richard Baker, Director of Economic Development, Commercialisation and Policy on richard.i.baker@durham.ac.uk. Background; Strategic Research Commercialisation in the North East Since 2018, the five North East universities have worked increasingly closely to build a strong collaboration to commercialise our research through the creation of high-growth businesses. Since launching the Northern Accelerator programme, 54 spinouts have been created, catalysing new investment and jobs. Supported by Research England's CCF-RED fund with £8.9m in funding over a five year period, the Strategic Commercialisation Eco-system North East (SCENE) programme represents an exciting next phase in our regional collaboration with the aim of wrapping new activities around and into Northern Accelerator to strengthen our support for the spin out process, and building new services and activities to extend successful research commercialisation in new areas, such as licensing and commercial partnerships. Underpinning these propositions is the creation and development of a structured and connected ecosystem around University research commercialisation, drawing together partnerships with business, investors and institutions to drive a sustainable step-change in our impact. Through the delivery of seven workstreams over a five year programme, SCENE will: Strengthen and expand the region's ecosystem, engaging businesses, sector bodies, Catapults and investors more actively in commercialising university research; Expand the pipeline of high-quality, investible new spinouts; Support growth for existing spinouts, helping secure them for the long-term; Increase adoption of university IP by businesses of all sizes in strategic sectors; Attract new UK and international investment into the formation and growth of research-led businesses; and Enhance structures, systems and leadership to support regional commercialisation ambitions. SCENE is led by Durham University and involves as key partners the other four North East Higher Education institutions - Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside - who come together through Universities for North East England (UNEE). SCENE is also supported by a number of strategic partners - our two Combined Authorities in the North East and Tees Valley, Catapults, Business Support organisations and key businesses as well as associated universities in York and Cumbria. The Role and Department Both the SCENE and Northern Accelerator programmes are led and hosted by Durham University on behalf of the North East universities. The Director of Economic Development, Commercialisation and Policy (the Director of EDCP) at Durham University is the Accountable Officer for the programmes and the lead sponsor on behalf of the Business and Innovation Group of UNEE. The Role The Head of Regional Commercialisation Programmes will report to the Director of EDCP at Durham University, and support and report to the SCENE Management Group which includes Director level leads from the five Universities, and will be responsible for the delivery, integration and ongoing development of this group of programmes. The postholder will also liaise closely with the structures supporting the new University Commercialisation and Spin Out fund. Looking forward, the postholder will work with the five Universities and the wider network of strategic partners to develop new opportunities to promote successful Research Commercialisation The postholder will lead and bring together the core team currently supporting the Northern Accelerator programme alongside new staff appointed through the SCENE programme ensuring close integration in delivering the objectives of the programmes. This will include the postholders appointed within each of the five institutions to support these programmes. The postholder will be responsible to the Director of EDCP and the Management Group for the effective management and development of the resources available for delivering the programmes, taking into account the requirements and expectations of funders and drawing on best practice from within the partner institutions and the wider university sector. An illustration of the UNEE Governance Structures and SCENE Staffing Structures will be available here. The Department The postholder and the Durham based members of the Team of staff will sit within Durham University's Research and Innovation Services (RIS) team. RIS is a professional services directorate at the heart of Durham University. We provide expertise, leadership and support to academics and professional colleagues across the University for all research, research-related, knowledge exchange and economic development activities. Our aim is to strengthen Durham's role at the leading-edge of research and innovation, inspiring extraordinary change across the world and in our region. Our vision is to facilitate world-leading research and knowledge exchange through a high-performing, high-quality service. The team is based in our exciting new professional services hub at Boldon House, which is located on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings professional services teams together across the University in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 2. Demonstrable experience of successfully delivering complex programmes and activities in large organisations and across networks of organisations. 3. Experience of developing new projects and interventions which can align organisational objectives around research commercialisation to the needs and ambitions of partners and funders to secure investment. 4. Experience of managing and developing internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and to leverage the expertise of network participants. The capacity to develop strong and productive working relationships and deliver services at scale. 5. Experience of working in a highly visible and complex partnership environment, balancing stakeholder requirements and managing internal and external communications activity. 6. Track record of cross-functional human resource management and development across a service team or teams, preferably supported by an enhanced management qualification. 7. Knowledge or experience of at least one of the key technology areas underpinning the commercial activities of North East universities 8. Experience of working in or with Universities Knowledge 9. An understanding of the rationale and role of Universities in exchanging knowledge with external partners, businesses and other organisations and the particular role of commercial activity in the knowledge exchange framework. 10. An understanding of different commercialisation and innovation processes available to Universities and the capacity to design and deliver interventions to support these. 11. Knowledge of the environment around business investment at different stages of development, and an ability to work closely with investment managers. 12. An understanding and ability to build strong partnerships and joint action across organisations and sectors to deliver on shared objectives, including with funders. Skills and Abilities 13. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships and consensus for action, both internally and externally. 14. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems including those to manage organisations and programmes, and manage and grow stakeholder relationships. 15. The capacity to oversee the development of compelling business cases for public or private investment. 16. The ability to lead robust and detailed programme management, monitoring and reporting across both financial and internal and external performance metrics. 17. Commitment to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 18. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 19. Ability to contribute to planning and development at operational and strategic levels. 20. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. 21. The capacity to identify EDI issues related to innovation and commercialisation and to develop responses which can promote a more diverse and inclusive commercialisation eco-system in the North East. Desirable Criteria 22. A higher degree (Masters or Doctorate) in a key technology area underpinning the commercial activities of North East universities. 23. Experience of successfully operating in the regional political and economic development environment and an understanding of drivers to economic development and regeneration. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit A CV A supporting statement of not more than four pages which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Richard Baker, Director of Economic Development, Commercialisation and Policy on richard.i.baker@durham.ac.uk. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help: Helping Business - Durham University Home - Northern Accelerator Universities for North East England - Durham University £30 million to grow regional research commercialisation ecosystems - UKRI University spinouts to grow industries of the future with new government backing - GOV.UK Recruitment Brochure Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards (for example (five business case preparation and subsidy control regulations) and policies relating to activities carried out by your service. Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists. Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues. Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders. Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards. Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that system and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way. Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders by ensuring that a programme of training and learning activities are available. Provide specialist insight that enables data driven decisions to be made about your service and the various market demands or growth sectors which should be in focus for your service. Planning and Organisation Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities and which can deliver the operational activities of your team in a financially sustainable way. Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives or collaborative partnerships with other organisations. Ensure your services are performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators. Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track. Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources in line with the requirements of the funder and the financial objectives of the University. Understand and take steps to address key challenges or barriers to your service achieving its outcomes, for example supporting organisations to understand the contribution of universities to economic growth and developing interventions which can win investment. Leadership and Team Development Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance. Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans. Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs. Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers. Communication/Liaison Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance. Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop your service. Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic level objectives. Work with specialist teams in the University, plan and manage marketing, communications and public activity to promote your service and secure investment. Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders and other Universities and innovation organisations like Catapults so that you can take these insights into account when developing your service. Explore options to promote and increase engagement in the work being delivered by your service. Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs. Any other reasonable duties. Other information: Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. SECONDMENT The post is full time, fixed term for a 5 year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.