Innovation Discovery Manager (Software) (University of Manchester Innovation Factory)

Salary: £47,700

Location: Office based-hybrid (3 days minimum in the office)

Employment type: Permanent, Full time

Division/Team: Innovation Discovery

Hours per week: 35 hours

The Innovation Factory’s ‘Innovation Discovery Team’ is responsible for proactively engaging with inventors/innovators (academics, staff members and students) to identify, evaluate and describe opportunities that have the potential to generate significant beneficial economic, social, and environmental impact where there is Intellectual Property owned by the University.

A key element of the Innovation Discovery Team’s activity is outreach into the University’s three faculties to maximise engagement with the Innovation Factory and create enthusiasm for translating high-quality innovations into licensable IP and new spinout businesses. It also organizes and leads events; explains the importance of IP commercialisation; runs seminars explaining the IP commercialisation process and participates at other academic events to highlight the benefits to the university of commercialization activities.

Once the Innovation Discovery Team has identified a potential opportunity the members of the team will carry out an initial assessment and evaluation of the opportunity and decide whether, or not, to propose progression within the Innovation Factory’s process. The Innovation Discovery Team are responsible for presentation of a case for approval at Stage gate 1 and for communicating clearly with the inventors the results of the analysis and decision made at this stage in the Innovation Factory.

If an opportunity is accepted the team will continue to work closely with other members of the Innovation Factory organisation, particularly the Commercial Development Team, to further assess and progress viable projects towards commercialisation.

Role Summary

To proactively engage with inventors/innovators to identify, evaluate and describe opportunities that have the potential to generate significant beneficial economic, social, and environmental impact where there is Intellectual Property owned by the University, facilitating the progress and successful transition of projects towards commercialisation.

Skills, Experience & Qualities: Essential

• Demonstrable experience in software/App development/coding/AI.
• Curious about new scientific developments and market-specific trends.
• Considers and assesses all facts and thinks broadly about the commercial impact before making decisions
• Able to builds strong relationships with inventors and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to communicate complex issues clearly.
• Respects and works according to the Innovation Factory’s company values, namely; Values & Supports Others, Acts with Integrity, Works as One Team, Bring Clarity and Focus, Strives for the Highest Standard

Qualifications: Essential

Degree in Computer Science or a Science -related subject and higher degree or equivalent experience with strong software component.

What you will get in return

• Market-leading pension scheme.
• 32 days annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays and end-of-year office closure, rising with length of service.
• Private health care and dental care.
• Great working environment within the University of Manchester campus, with excellent transport links.

The Innovation Factory aims to have a truly global reach and, with the scale and quality of research taking place at The University of Manchester, it has the ambition to be one of the world’s leading Technology Transfer organisations, if you would like to be part of this inspirational organisation, please apply on our website which you can access here

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