Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
10866
Job title:
Enterprise Development Manager
(Intellectual Property)
Reports to:
Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange Manager
Salary:
£38,511 - £45,954 depending on experience and
qualifications
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
Grade 8
Duration of post:
Permanent
Working hours:
37 hours, Monday to Friday
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
noon 1st January 2015
Type of application form accepted:
Long version and covering letter
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Univ-Sec-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
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January 2010
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2. Summary of duties
Mission
The mission of the RSQ is to support the University’s pursuit of a sustainable research and
enterprise portfolio that is recognised for excellence both nationally and internationally and for
its contribution to society and the economy.
RSQ Strategy
RSQ holds responsibility for the development and implementation of institutional strategies
and policies for Research, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise to deliver the RSQ/OU
strategic priorities. We aim to meet these responsibilities in collaboration with Central
Academic Units and relevant University service divisions and to ensure that the University is
equipped with systems, processes, information and guidance to enable effective and efficient
management and administration of research, and associated enterprise and knowledge
exchange activities. Externally, we engage with a wide variety of stakeholders to (i) build
partnerships, (ii) raise the profile of OU Research and, (iii) develop and support income
generation.
In addition, RSQs aim is to provide an integrated service to the University incorporating:



Research governance and committees support;
Research career development support and engagement with UUK/RCUK Concordat;
Research grants and contracts management and administration and oversight of our
commitments to funders, including IP management and contracts development;
 Research Ethics including both regulatory and legal requirements;
 Research, Postgraduate Research Student and Knowledge Transfer data
management and statutory returns (e.g. RAS, HESA, RDQR, HEBCIS, HESES);
 Research Degrees administration and Affiliated Research Centre partnership
management including key aspects of quality assurance;
 Promotion and development of Research and Enterprise partnerships and networks,
internships and postgraduate professional training opportunities;
 Management of The Open University’s Research Intellectual Property;
Oversight and management of the OU HEFCE REF submission and any related research audit
and assessment activities.
Role of Enterprise Development Manager (IP) within Enterprise Support
This role is based in the University’s central Research and Enterprise Office, comprising the
Research Support (RS) and Enterprise Support (ES) teams. It has a key function of supporting
the University’s pursuit of a sustainable research and enterprise portfolio that is recognised for
excellence. There are two key aspects to this role:

Managing the intellectual property (IP) portfolio, identification of new IP and exploiting
our IP through licencing opportunities and research collaborations. This requires
working in close collaboration with academics to assess new opportunities and the
exploitation of current technology and intellectual property with external partners /
licensees. Developing key IP licencing opportunities.

Enterprise activities related to identifying research that has potential for economic,
social and public impact. A key responsibility will be to take these opportunities forward
by developing strategic partnerships with industry, charities, public bodies and relevant
organisations to position The Open University as the 'partner of choice.' This requires
working in close collaboration with the Faculty enterprise leads to develop and
enhance the research and innovation offering to ensure that the enterprise and
knowledge exchange plans and objectives are met.
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January 2010
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The post holder must be a confident and effective communicator with excellent interpersonal
skills who will take the lead in managing and protecting the University’s intellectual property by
engaging with academics, patent agents/attorneys and senior management in industry or other
organisations. He /she will ensure the timely preparation of patent applications, filings, territory
selection and exploitation plans. This will involve keeping adequate records of patents, patent
claim enquiries and budgets and resolving technical / legal issues associated with the ongoing
support of IP prosecution.
The Enterprise Development Manager (IP) will act as the technical expert on all matters
relating to intellectual property management and commercial development of the OU IP
portfolio, providing advice, guidance and training to academics and Faculty / Institute support
staff. Particular emphasis is placed upon the development and maintenance of beneficial
relationships with patent agents / technical advisers ensuring an effective and efficient
university research IP support service. The post holder will work closely with the University’s
Central Legal Services (CLS) and Finance to provide IP advice and in setting up Material
Transfer Agreements (MTA), Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and collaborative
agreements.
The role holder will also take a lead in establishing and developing strategic partnerships with
industry, charities and public bodies ensuring that the OU is the ‘partner of choice.’ This will
involve proactive relationship management at the institutional level with potential industrial /
non-industrial partners, with an emphasis on technology transfer and intellectual property
exploitation.
Principal Duties – Key Objectives:

Take overall responsibility for the management of the OU patent portfolio, including
maintaining information on the IP database and ensuring timely maintenance of the patent
portfolio and reports to senior management;
 Take a lead in in initiating and project managing licencing and partnership opportunities.
Ensuring active engagement of academic researchers and potential partners, organising,
facilitating and taking a lead role in meetings to identify, evaluate and assess external
opportunities for IP exploitation /commercialisation
 Maintain an awareness of the research undertaken across the University in order to
identify projects that have potential for technology transfer and exploitation. To provide
advice and guidance to University staff and research students on knowledge transfer,
intellectual property and commercial exploitation;

Review/ advise on IP sections of research collaboration / partnership agreements and
support the preparation of Non-Disclosure Agreements / Material Transfer Agreements
and prepare appropriate briefings for CLS / RSQ management;
 To design and deliver workshops and seminars for research active staff and students on
IPR, IP exploitation, licensing and commercialisation;
 To keep abreast of relevant developments in intellectual property management law and
related legal issues and initiatives relating to knowledge transfer;
 Play a key role in the commercialisation of University research by supporting researchers
in taking early stage technologies through to a successful commercialisation conclusion via
either licensing, company spin-out or partnering with external organisations
 Providing advice and support to staff engaged in business facing activities;
 Identification and development of translational projects / event to promote and exploit OU
technology and IP, identification of potential licensees / business partners and brokering
negotiations;
 Any other duties as assigned by the Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange Manager.
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January 2010
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2. Person specification
Measured by:
A: Application
B: Test
C: Interview
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Education,
qualifications
and training
First degree or
equivalent
First degree in
intellectual property law
and preferably a
research degree
A
Knowledge,
work and other
relevant
experience
Broad knowledge and
experience of
intellectual property
management
including drafting and
prosecution of
patents.
Understanding of IP
law
A,B,C
Experience of
exploiting IP from a
university
environment.
Experience of
effective negotiation
skills.
Knowledge and
experience of the UK
knowledge transfer
professional
community
Knowledge and
experience of the HEI
research environment
An understanding of
HEI funding regimes
and opportunities
Experience of
financial, resource
and risk
management.
Aptitude for coordinating, analysing
and disseminating
complex information
and good negotiating
skills to close deals
on relevant
opportunities
Good awareness of
funders technology
transfer schemes and
sources of funding to
support exploitation of
technology
Experience of costing,
pricing and managing
budgets
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January 2010
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Project
management/time
management skills
Experience of
technology transfer
Skills and
capabilities
Ability to work
collaboratively and
establish effective
working relationships
with internal and
external stakeholders
Excellent
interpersonal skills
and ability to network
internally and
externally
Ability to
communicate
confidently and
effectively with staff at
many levels and
interact positively with
academics and senior
managers in industry
in all disciplines
(verbally and in
writing)
Empathy with
academic culture and
motivation
A,C
Experience of
interfacing with
commercial, charities
or public organisations
at a senior level
Ability to adapt to
changing situations
and deliver effective
solutions and decisions
Tenacity and
persistence in
business
development
situations and ability
to think creatively to
provide solutions
Good organisational
skills and the ability to
prioritise activities
An ability to work, on
occasion, to very tight
deadlines in a diverse
and demanding
environment
Ability to influence
others, use their
initiative and work
independently.
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January 2010
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Personal
Qualities
C
Adheres to and
ensure adherence to
appropriate standards
relating to commercial
and other confidential
information
Special working
conditions
e.g.shift working
Flexibility to
occasionally travel
off-campus to meet
business leaders and
on occasions work
outside normal office
hours
C
Additional
requirements
Aptitude for ‘getting
the job done’
(completer / finisher)
A,C
Note: Essential elements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have
not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential elements will normally be rejected at the
short listing stage. Desirable elements are those which it would be useful for the post holder to possess.
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
N/A
5. About the unit/department
The Research Strategy Office is based in the Research Scholarship and Quality Unit, part of
the portfolio of the Pro Vice Chancellor Research, Scholarship and Quality.
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, Scholarship and Quality (PVC RSQ) at the Open
University oversees the Institute for Educational Technology (IET), the Knowledge Media
Institute (KMI), and the Research, Scholarship and Quality Unit.
The PVC RSQ is responsible for the strategic development of research and scholarship
across the University's Faculties and Institutes, and the quality assurance and enhancement
of the University's taught programmes.
Key responsibilities include:




Research strategy and governance
Innovation and enterprise
Research grants and contracts
Research degrees
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January 2010
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





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Affiliated Research Centres
Quality assurance and enhancement of taught programmes
Scholarship strategy and development
Academic career development
The Knowledge Media Institute
The Institute of Educational Technology
Local and regional relationships
The Director Research, Scholarship and Quality is responsible for the Research, Scholarship
and Quality Unit, comprising the PVC RSQ Office, the Research Strategy Office, Research
and Enterprise Office, Research Degrees Office and the Quality Office.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Malcolm Stokes, Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange Manager on 01908 652885 or
email Malcolm.Stokes@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Univ-SecRecruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: noon 1st January 2015.
You should enclose:

A covering letter, clearly indicating how you believe you meet the person
specification. Please ensure you provide relevant examples as evidence to support
your statement on no more than two sides of A4.

Your completed application form (long version).
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Diana Griffiths, Recruitment Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: University Secretary’s Office
Address:
Room 202, Charles Pinfold Building
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: Univ-Sec-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
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January 2010
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8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Malcolm Stokes, Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange
Manager. The interviews will take place w/c: 19th January 2015.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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January 2010
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