Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract) at University of Bristol

The role

The Commercial Research Manager (Pre-Contract) role is dedicated to ensuring that the University’s commercial research projects deliver valuable benefits for the University, its staff and students, our partners, and the world around us.

We have recently established processes to support efficient proposal development, commercial deal negotiation and contract set-up, and are further developing these to help us to rapidly grow our portfolio of exciting projects. Our latest collaborations span sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, space, veterinary technologies, and education.

What will you be doing?

Potential commercial research opportunities will arrive from across the institution, and you will be responsible for determining the best approach in each case. In addition, you will:

• Use University standard and preferred positions for reference, to negotiate beneficial deals, and passing to legal specialists in our Research Contracts Team who will prepare and sign off formal legal contracts. Deals will include price, deliverables and outline terms and conditions e.g. intellectual property arrangements and liability.
• Work closely with our Research Contracts Team
• Be the key point of contact for academics planning to do commercial research; liaise and negotiate with external parties at all levels of seniority; broker areas of mutual interest; champion opportunities – internally and externally; identify and co-develop new opportunities. 

You should apply if

• Previous experience in relevant business-related roles, demonstrating good business acumen, a commercial mindset, and a passion for customer service.
• A good appreciation of strategy, processes, and issues for business engagement in the Higher Education sector.
• A good understanding and appreciation of both industrial and academic cultures, environments, and research priorities. 
• Experience in the specification, costing and pricing of research projects.
• An understanding of key terms and conditions applicable to research activity.
• Experience in the negotiation of commercial research deals, balancing cost and risk with reward and opportunity.
• Knowledge and experience of developing new/improved processes and supporting systems.

Additional information

For informal queries about the role, please contact Christine Nileshwar, christine.nileshwar@bristol.ac.uk

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on Tuesday 5th March 2024.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people – because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.