Business Development Executive (Built Environment & Transport)
The University http://www.hw.ac.uk
Heriot-Watt University is a research-led technological university delivering world
class innovative research that meets current and future needs of business and industry.
In addition to being one of the top 20 universities funded by the Engineering and
Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) much of its research income comes
from industrial sponsors.
The modern Heriot-Watt is based mainly on an integrated campus university on 380
acres of parkland on the western edge Edinburgh, with smaller campuses in
Galashiels, Orkney and Dubai. There are excellent public transport facilities to and
from the city. It is a research-led university where academic departments are
organised into six Schools – Built Environment; Engineering & Physical Sciences;
Life Sciences; Management & Languages; Mathematical & Computer Sciences;
Textiles & Design – and two postgraduate institutes – Petroleum Engineering and
Edinburgh Business School. This structure is augmented by a number of research
themes of which the Life Sciences Interface with other disciplines is one.
The School of Built Environment
The School of the Built Environment has an excellent national and international
research reputation, as the leading Built Environment research institution in Scotland,
and one of the top in the UK. The School is one of the leading Built Environment
research institutions in the UK and has centres of expertise in several areas including
drainage and flood prevention, sustainable building design and conservation, and
housing and urban society. [http://www.sbe.hw.ac.uk/]
Technology & Research Services (TRS) http://www.trs.hw.ac.uk
TRS provides the full spectrum of research support and technology transfer – from the
identification of funding opportunities, assistance with grant proposal preparation,
contract negotiation, and consultancy support, to knowledge transfer, protection and
exploitation of intellectual property and the creation of spin-out companies – for the
academic community at Heriot-Watt University. Within TRS there are two teams:
Commercialisation - enhancing and supporting the knowledge transfer activities of the
University including licensing and technology transfer; and Research & Legal
Services - providing support for the development and management of research
activity, the protection of intellectual property and the contractual framework for
research and commercialisation.
The post-holder will work in the Commercialisation team, be closely aligned with the
School of Built Environment and work to increase generation of income for, and
commercialisation of inventions from, the School.
The Post
Overall Objective:
The Business Development Executive, working within the Business Development
Team in the Commercialisation Team, will be responsible for promoting business
interactions and building income generating partnerships with business between
specific academic areas and related sectors of business.
Promoting the value of enterprise and business-university collaborations to academics
and researchers within the university will be a vital part of this role, as will
developing innovative projects and facilitating cross-disciplinary collaborations with
other areas of expertise within Heriot-Watt University. The Business Development
Executive will be aligned with the academic area of Built Environment & Transport.
Main Responsibilities
Within their designated area of University activity, the postholder will be responsible
for:
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Identifying opportunities to develop and deliver specific projects to enhance
relationships and generate income from industry.
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Promote Knowledge Transfer for the University from a range of sources and
across a range of activities.
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Initiating contract and agreement negotiation and completion with funders as
required.
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Build on existing networks to develop strong, appropriate external links to assist
TRS to return an optimum performance in supporting the university’s goals for
Knowledge Transfer.
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Promoting the university’s capabilities and identifying new opportunities in
order to maintain and enhance relationships with Scottish and other companies
through Knowledge Transfer.
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Stimulating market demand among Scottish companies for university services
such as the sale of expertise, CPD, and access to facilities.
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Providing a single point of entry and initial support for enquiries on working
with the university received (directly and indirectly via Interface) from Scottish
SMEs.
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Establishing links to companies which represent longer term opportunities for
significant, company funded collaborative projects.
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Working with colleagues in the university to initiate and deliver internal and
external events to support the marketing, development and enhancement of the
university’s Knowledge Transfer and Outreach activities.
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Engaging with academic members of staff to promote participation in
Knowledge Transfer activities.
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Providing guidance, training and advice to academic staff and others on
outreach activities and on the sale of expertise, training and access to facilities
as required.
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Obtaining funding for development and commercialisation of university
inventions
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Contributing to the development of university inventions towards a successful
commercial outcome.
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Supporting the commercialisation of university inventions through licensing and
supporting the enterprise formation activity.
Other duties as specified by the Business Development Manager.
Skills and Experience Required
You will be expected to demonstrate relevant professional experience including:
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Business development or funding support.
An understanding of contracts.
A proven ability to develop effective working relationships with commercial
partners and networks of commercial contacts.
The ability to structure, negotiate and close deals.
An understanding of academic values and the ability to win the confidence and
support of the academic community whilst establishing commercial
credibility.
The ability to provide clear and useful documents and advice for the Business
Development Manager and the Director of Knowledge Exchange as well as
University Committees and other interested parties.
A good understanding of and the ability to use a range of software (wordprocessing, spreadsheets, databases, email, PowerPoint).
Essential
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Relevant science or technology degree.
Relevant experience in the Higher Education or industry context.
An outstanding communicator, both written and verbal.
Desirable
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Business development or research funding experience.
Ability to motivate.
Sets and meets joint objectives.
Able to prioritise effectively.
Demonstrate attention to detail.
Demonstrate problem analysis and resolution skills.
Experience of negotiating and drafting research funding contracts.
Flexibility approach
The post is offered in the first instance on a fixed-term basis until 30/6/12.
For an informal discussion of this post contact: Dr Ian Brotherston, Business
Development Manager, telephone 0131 451 3751, e-mail I.D.Brotherston@hw.ac.uk