Associate Director: Business and Innovation

Role Description

Are you a visionary leader ready to bridge the gap between world-class research and real-world impact?

The University of York is seeking an Associate Director: Business and Innovation to join our Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RIKE) Directorate. This is a pivotal senior leadership role designed to drive our strategic ambitions for growth, partnership, and commercial success.

The Opportunity

As a member of the Directorate’s senior management team, you will lead the Business and Innovation section with a clear mandate: to build productive business partnerships and maximise inward investment and commercial income. You will act as a key advisor to University Executive Board members, providing expert sector insights to position York as a national leader in engaged and productive outcomes.

Your Impact

• Strategic Leadership: Deliver the business development, commercialisation, and knowledge exchange elements of the University Strategy.
• Portfolio Growth: Develop the University’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio and lead engagement with commercial partners regionally and nationally.
• Influence: Represent the University on the boards of spin-out companies and engage with external stakeholders to influence national policy.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee institutional funding (including HEIF), external reporting (HEBCIS and KEF), and ensure robust legal and financial compliance.
• Team Empowerment: Manage and motivate a team of professional staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality service.

Who You Are

We are looking for a professional specialist with high-level expertise and a "can-do," pragmatic attitude. Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• An Degree or commensurate equivalent experience
• Significant experience at a senior level within research or knowledge exchange.
• Proven track record in industrial collaboration, commercialisation, or economic development.
• Expertise in negotiating agreements and protecting/exploiting intellectual property.
• Deep understanding of the UK funding environment and current Governmental HE priorities.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams through complex change.

Inclusive York

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. Female candidates and candidates who identify as Black, Asian, or from a Minority Ethnic background are strongly encouraged to apply, as they are currently under-represented in senior leadership roles at the University.

Closing Date: 07/04/2026

Interviews: 27/04/2026 or 05/05/2026

Informal enquiries are encouraged. Please contact Paul Ellison (paul.ellison@york.ac.uk), HR Recruitment Adviser.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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