Senior Technology Transfer Manager

Senior Technology Transfer Manager (
Job Number 25000100)
Research and Innovation Services
Grade 8: £46,735 - £55,755 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent: Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 19-Mar-2025, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The Role and Department
Research and Innovation Services Directorate (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding and influencing investment programmes and policy, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising research outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

The Senior Technology Transfer Manager role is a senior position within RIS. The post reports to the Director of Commercialisation, Economic Development and Policy and relevant Heads of Team within the Division and will work closely with colleagues across the Directorate as well as senior colleagues in faculties, academic departments and professional services teams.

The Senior Technology Transfer Manager is a member of the Research Commercialisation Team which takes responsibility for the commercialisation of Durham University's research outputs, including spin-out companies, intellectual property licensing and management of the patent portfolio. The team works closely with academic colleagues to identify technologies with commercial potential and works to protect, develop and commercialise through sale, licensing, business creation and industry collaboration.

The Post Will Have The Following Key Responsibilities:

• Working closely with academic and professional services teams, building interest in commercialisation through information and training, and pro-actively identifying, assessing and developing disclosures arising from the research base to determine the most appropriate IP exploitation strategy.
• Securing Intellectual property through patents, trademarks, design rights, copyright or other rights.
• Developing and implementing an appropriate strategy to market the IP to potential commercial partners and collaborators, managing the respective IP portfolio to maximise the REF Impact and financial return to the University.
• Supporting the creation of spin-out companies including working with regional and national programmes, and maintaining contact with a portfolio of spin out companies on behalf of the Research Commercialisation team to secure ongoing benefits for the University.
• Taking a lead role for Durham University in operationalising key regional projects including Northern Accelerator and the proposed Commercialisation and Spin Out Fund.
• Leading on the evaluation, negotiation and decision making with respect to IP rights in contracts.

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 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.

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.

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.

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in areas of academic specialism relevant to Durham University's research base.
• * Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise of:
• The development of commercial propositions and negotiation of commercial terms with businesses or investors.
• Commercialising research at the university-business interface or in a comparable business-business interface.
• Protecting the intellectual property arising from research derived inventions.
• Commercialising technology arising from the specified core area sciences.
• Experience in the development and delivery of services, events and activities within a complex organisation.
• * Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance and influencing a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
• Credibility with leading academics and researchers.
• Experience of participating in internal or external networks and partnership structures to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
• Experience of being able to network, negotiate and influence effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• An understanding of the principles and practice of Knowledge Exchange, and the translation of fundamental research into practical economic or social outcomes.
• *Substantial knowledge of start-up companies, their management and finance with experience in raising finance for spin out ventures particularly at the post seed investment phase.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems, market intelligence systems.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels and to work collaboratively as part of an expert team.
• Strong business and project management skills.
• Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
• Ability to represent the University externally at a senior level with a range of audiences including business, investor and policy communities.
• A full driving licence.

Desirable Criteria

• A higher-level degree in a discipline relevant to Durham University's research bases.
• An understanding of the current public policy agenda around research commercialisation.
• Experience in a business making and selling products or services.

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.

Submitting your application

• A CV.
• A supporting statement 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

Typical Role Requirements

• Act as a principal point of contact for IP enquiries and recognised practitioner on behalf of the Research Commercialisation Team stimulating interest and engagement with commercialisation, promoting and shaping activities, processes and systems.
• Act as specialist point of contact in areas of expertise dealing with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis and advising academic staff on the identification, assessment and development of research disclosures that may have commercial potential.
• Be responsible for operational activity across multiple commercialisation opportunities.
• Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to influence opinion, delivery and reputation of services and promote the Universities commercialisation opportunities.
• Provide a full project management service to academics wishing to commercialise IP. This will include determining an exploitation strategy, developing a commercial strategy, support for raising proof of concept finance, creating spin out ventures, negotiate shareholdings and legal structures, identify licensing opportunities and support the recruitment.
• Play an active role in the ongoing management and delivery of Northern Accelerator activities and other regional commercialisation programmes and ensure that Durham is a proactive and leading contributor to its successful implementation.
• Significant input into the scoping and resource planning across a range of activities at operational and possibly strategic level.
• Lead and carry out project scoping, initiation, planning and implementation for large scale/University wide initiatives, for example to promote commercialisation or benefits realisation activities to new groups of academics.
• Negotiate commercial deals with investors and business licensees to maximise the economic impact and commercial returns to the University.
• Responsible for shaping the development and learning of others outside of team, through the design and delivery of training sessions.
• Lead and deliver professional development and research commercialisation support initiatives that would apply across the University.
• Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of policy and quality standards, procedures and systems related to technology transfer activities ensuring effective working and continuous improvement and compliance with national policy or standards of practice.
• Promote and develop a deep understanding of relevant organisational policy and external developments.
• Promote the improvement and efficiency of departmental services by implementing and managing review and improvement procedures.
• Ensure all activities, processes and transactions are accounted for accurately and promptly to meet regulatory and professional service and policy standards, including the provision of reports, data and information for Divisional management or University Executive level and management of quality and regulatory audit process for research commercialisation services.
• Implement processes to manage the integrity and security of all commercially and professionally sensitive and personal data.
• Lead internal business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at operational service level to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the service.
• Working as part of the Research Commercialisation team, be responsible for allocating and monitoring financial budgets and resources, for example the Patent budget.

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.
• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by the activities and processes that are carried out in services you are responsible for.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience to resolve problems, shape processes and activities and develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
• Responsible for high quality operational activity across the different aspects of the service.
• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
• Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
• Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training, advice and information when required by individuals and to stimulate interest and engagement in commercialisation across faculties and departments.
• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
• Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
• Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area.
• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic level plans relevant to your area.
• Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.
• Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.
• Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.
• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.

Communication/Liaison

• Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing complaints, referrals and specialist services.
• Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to research commercialisation.
• Produce communications for promotion and reporting purposes, designing and structuring information and fact, applying creative and innovative principles to influence and engage.
• Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
• Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation.
• Represent the service and University at promotional events, sector events and contribute to the delivery of presentations at conferences.
• Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.
• Develop external relations, identify and develop opportunities for communities of practice, investors, funding bodies, entrepreneurs, businesses, innovation support organisations and other Universities via extra-curricular activities and increased levels of participation.

Useful links

• Create Spin-Out Companies - Durham University
• Use Our Knowledge - Durham University
• Home - Northern Accelerator

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 which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.