Innovation Discovery Manager

The Innovation Factory's 'Innovation Discovery Team' is responsible for proactively engaging with inventors/innovators (academics, staff members and students) to identify, evaluate and describe opportunities that have the potential to generate significant beneficial economic, social, and environmental impact where there is Intellectual Property owned by the University.

A key element of the Innovation Discovery Team's activity is outreach into the University's three faculties to maximise engagement with the Innovation Factory and create enthusiasm for translating high-quality innovations into licensable IP and new spinout businesses. It also organises and leads events; explains the importance of IP commercialisation; runs seminars explaining the IP commercialisation process and participates at other academic events to highlight the benefits to the university of commercialisation activities.

Once the Innovation Discovery Team has identified a potential opportunity the members of the team will carry out an initial assessment and evaluation of the opportunity and decide whether, or not, to propose progression within the Innovation Factory's process. The Innovation Discovery Team are responsible for presentation of a case for approval at Stage gate 1 and for communicating clearly with the inventors the results of the analysis and decision made at this stage in the Innovation Factory.

If an opportunity is accepted the team will continue to work closely with other members of the Innovation Factory organisation, particularly the Commercial Development Team, to further assess and progress viable projects towards commercialisation.

Role Summary

To proactively engage with inventors/innovators to identify, evaluate and describe opportunities that have the potential to generate significant beneficial economic, social, and environmental impact where there is Intellectual Property owned by the University, facilitating the progress and successful transition of projects towards commercialisation

Key Accountabilities

Proactively identify new opportunities

• Build a comprehensive network/database of contacts within allocated Schools/Departments in the University's Faculty of Life Sciences and relevant research Institutes.
• Build a comprehensive knowledge of research programs being conducted within these areas
• Build a comprehensive knowledge of other professional services, such as business engagement teams, working within these areas to facilitate commercialisation.
  
  

Educate and explain the advantages of commercialisation to academics

• Ascertain the commitment of the inventors to create impact from the invention.
• Explain to inventors the IP commercialisation process and the responsibilities of the Innovation Factory and the inventor.
• Ensure inventors are kept up to date with plans and progress and the rationale for decisions is explained.
  
  

Record and assess new opportunities

• Be the first point of contact for the inventor and triage the opportunity appropriately
• Update the Innovation Factory's IP Management tools and databases in an accurate and timely manner with all new inventions/innovations and associated information according to company procedure.
• Assess new opportunities for entry into the Innovation Factory pipeline and take forward ensuring all appropriate steps are taken before making a recommendation for Stage Gate 1
  
  

Contribute to assessment and development of business cases for projects post-Stage gate

• Prepare plans for Stage Gate 2 in close collaboration with the Commercial Development and Investment & Licensing Teams in accordance with our procedures.
• Provide additional information to help the wider Innovation Factory understand the invention and its ability to create future impact.
• Record any other contractual/commercial arrangements/commitments associated with the invention.
• Describe what information/data relating to the invention is disclosed and what is in the public domain as per post-Stage gate 1 procedures.
• Contribute to the overall objectives of the Innovation Factory
• Understand and keep up to date with Innovation Factory objectives and performance targets and understand how your work contributes to these
  
  

Skills, Experience & Qualities: Essential

• Demonstrable experience in the field of Life Sciences research.
• Curious about new life science developments and market-specific trends.
• Considers and assesses all facts and thinks broadly about the commercial impact before making decisions
• Able to builds strong relationships with inventors and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate complex issues clearly.
• Respects and works according to the Innovation Factory's company values, namely; Values & Supports Others, Acts with Integrity, Works as One Team, Bring Clarity and Focus, Strives for the Highest Standard
  
  

Qualifications: Essential

• Higher degree in a Life Sciences related subject or equivalent experience
  
  

Skills Experience and Qualities: Desirable

• Experience in the identification, development, and management of intellectual property opportunities within Life Sciences.
• Experience of working within drug discovery, diagnostics, digital health, or medical device fields.
• Experience in an innovative, commercial environment
• A business or project management qualification
  
  

What You Will Get In Return

• Market-leading pension scheme.
• 32 days annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays and end-of-year office closure, rising with length of service.
• Private health care and dental care.
• Great working environment within the University of Manchester campus, with excellent transport links.
  
  

If you're excited by the opportunity to help turn world changing ideas into real-world impact, we'd love to hear from you. If you are interested in applying for this job vacancy full details and how to apply can be found on our website which you can access here
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