Global Director of Research Commercialisation (Business and Enterprise)

Overview

In this role you will lead Heriot-Watt’s global research commercialisation across campuses, shaping the university’s strategy to turn research into industry impact. You will drive multi-campus delivery, target growth in industry income, and oversee IP, licensing and spin-out activity within a cohesive global framework. You will build strategic partnerships, support the Research Park’s development, and integrate commercial activity with GRIs and international campuses. This is a mission-driven, entrepreneurial leadership role with wide cross-functional impact.

Pay / Benefits

• flexible working patterns (part-time, job share)
• commitment to equality and diversity
• inclusive culture
• opportunity to influence across multiple campuses
• career development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Own and implement the global research commercialisation strategy aligned to Strategy 2035 and GRIs
• Lead the Directorate across all campuses within the international research and innovation model
• Set multi-year targets for industry income, consultancy, licensing, equity value and spin-outs
• Build a strategic partnerships capability and lead market foresight, bid-building and delivery oversight
• Grow consultancy and contract research revenues and strengthen industry engagement
• Develop integrated international account management for a cohesive university experience across campuses
• Direct the IP strategy including disclosure, protection, licensing and spin-outs
• Collaborate on Research Park commercial development and connect it with the university’s research ecosystem
• Provide commercial infrastructure and governance for the entrepreneurial agenda with relevant teams
• Lead, develop and inspire the Directorate with clear career pathways and manage budgets, risk, compliance
• Provide agile business development support to GRIs and align campus priorities with global strategy
• Foster relationships with sovereign agencies, ministries and economic-development bodies to attract inward investment
• Coordinate with Research Engagement Directorate and other key partners to manage ideas-to-impact pipelines
• Align Research Park strategy with Estates and Facilities management and cross-campus resourcing
• Engage with senior stakeholders across industry, government, and academia to secure opportunities

Key requirements

• Substantial senior leadership experience in research commercialisation, technology transfer, corporate development or venture capital
• Proven ability to translate complex research into market-ready propositions and close deals involving IP, equity and royalties
• Strong strategic and financial judgement including budget and P&L ownership and familiarity with venture investment
• Excellent influencing and senior-level stakeholder skills across industry, government and academia
• Credible leadership of multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites
• Outward-facing, entrepreneurial and globally minded with integrity and mission-driven values

• Influencing and negotiation
• Strategic thinking
• Stakeholder management
• IP strategy and management
• Licensing and deal structuring
• Equity and royalties handling

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