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.
Our university punches far above its weight when it comes to entrepreneurial activity, ranking 9th in the UK on the 2024 Spotlight on Spinouts report by Beauhurst, creating over 60 spinouts since the beginning of 2011. These companies have successfully raised £51.9m of capital via 65 different funding rounds.
Line managed centrally by the Head of IP & Commercialisation (a.k.a. Technology Transfer), we are recruiting two experienced IP & Commercialisation Managers, who will work as part of the team supporting the three Faculty Research & Innovation (R&I) Hubs. The post holder will be responsible for all matters relating to IP, commercialisation, consultancy and enterprise services. 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, and the 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 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.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.
As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.
Welsh Language Skills
The Welsh language level required for this role is Level 1 - A little. The role holder will be able to pronounce Welsh words, answer the phone in Welsh (good morning/afternoon) and use very basic everyday words and phrases (thank you, please etc.). Level 1 can be reached by completing a 1 hour course.
The University is a proud bilingual institution; our Welsh Language Strategy outlines our aspiration to promote the language and enable our staff to engage with the language as an additional workplace skill and as a gateway to new cultural and social opportunities. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English. Welsh speakers have the right to an interview in Welsh. Applicants for a role where Welsh skills are essential are expected to present their application in Welsh and will be interviewed in Welsh, if shortlisted.
Additional Information
Applications for this role will take the format of a CV submission and cover letter.
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