Overview
We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Technology & Innovation Manager to join the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC). NAPIC is a £38 million initiative, including a £15 million investment from UKRI, established to lead the UK's alternative protein knowledge and innovation ecosystem. With a vision to make alternative proteins mainstream for a sustainable planet, NAPIC brings together world‑leading expertise from the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Imperial College London, and the James Hutton Institute, alongside a network of over 150 national and international partners.
Responsibilities
* Lead the identification, engagement, and relationship management of foundation and philanthropic investors to secure new, additional funding for expansion of NAPIC's activity.
* Develop and tailor pitch materials and proposals specifically for philanthropic audiences, articulating NAPIC's vision and impact opportunities.
* Contribute ecosystem and business insight to the development of NAPIC's overall business and financial sustainability model.
* Lead the identification and documentation of alternative protein innovation and scale‑up infrastructure across the UK.
* Lead the brokering of deals with external innovation facilities and infrastructure owners, facilitating access for partners and collaborators across NAPIC's ecosystem, positioning the Centre as a critical facilitator and enabler.
* Provide and maintain a high level of technical expertise and act as a key relationship manager for a defined segment of the Centre's partner ecosystem, particularly those involved in providing or accessing innovation facilities.
* Support partnership building for the Collaborative Programme Funding (CPF) calls, working with the Programme Manager to ensure partnering opportunities are embedded within the promotion and delivery plans.
* Grow NAPIC's reputation and brand recognition through high‑quality professional communication and representation at targeted trade shows, conferences, and networking events, specifically focusing on generating leads for partnership and facilities access opportunities.
* Support the Technology & Innovation Manager 1 and Programme Manager in conducting due diligence and managing risk on new and existing partner relationships, providing any necessary input and follow‑up.
* Provide ongoing market intelligence and strategic ecosystem insight to inform the development of core NAPIC activities, including training courses, policy engagement and networking events.
* Provide dedicated research and business development support for NAPIC at the University of Sheffield, working with NAPIC academics and R&I fellows to build partnerships, shape pre‑competitive research projects into successful funding bids, and manage research agreements.
* Demonstrate agility and personal flexibility, readily supporting essential centre‑wide tasks to ensure overall success within the constraints of a small, start‑up‑scale team.
* Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
* Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field (Essential) – e.g., business, engineering, life sciences, innovation management, or related discipline.
* Strong understanding of innovation ecosystems (Desirable) – particularly in alternative proteins, biotechnology, or sustainability.
* Knowledge of philanthropic and research funding landscape (Desirable) – e.g., foundations, UKRI, Innovate UK, collaborative funding mechanisms.
* Awareness of infrastructure needs for innovation and scale‑up (Desirable) – e.g., pilot plants, testbeds, manufacturing facilities.
* Demonstrable experience in business development, partnership development, or fundraising (Desirable).
* Experience engaging with external stakeholders (Essential) – e.g., industry, investors, philanthropic organisations.
* Track record of developing proposals, pitch materials, or funding applications (Desirable).
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences (Essential) – e.g., philanthropic, academic, industry.
* Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills (Essential) – with the ability to build trust and influence stakeholders.
* Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long‑term sustainability planning (Essential).
* Proactive, self‑motivated, adaptable, and able to work independently and collaboratively to deliver high‑quality outputs (Essential).
* Experience in planning and delivering events and coordinating external engagements (Essential) – e.g., workshops, conferences, stakeholder visits, with willingness to travel as required.
Further Information
* Grade: 7
* Salary: £38,784 – £41,064
* Work arrangement: Part‑time (0.6 FTE)
* Duration: 01.07.2026 until 11.08.2029
* Line manager: Professor Tuck Seng Wong (Professor of Biomanufacturing)
* Direct reports: None
* Our website: School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering | CMBE | The University of Sheffield
* Contact – Professor Tuck Seng Wong: t.wong@sheffield.ac.uk; Professor Louise Dye: l.dye@sheffield.ac.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr