Commercial Development Manager (Digital) (University of Manchester Innovation Factory)

Job reference: PSX-031470
Salary: £47,700 per annum
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Professional Services
Location: Grafton Street Manchester
Employment type: Permanent
Division/Team: University of Manchester Innovation Factory
Hours Per Week: Full time
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 25/05/2026
Contract Duration: Permanent
School/Directorate: University of Manchester Innovation Factory

The Innovation Factory’s Commercial Development Team is responsible for the critical analysis of the invention and the definition of its commercial potential, developing a detailed and reasoned case for commercialisation and the documentation required to support commercialisation activities.

The Commercial Development Team will understand the unmet need that the invention addresses, how the invention meets that need in a competitive manner and its potential value.

The Commercial Development Team is responsible for defining and assessing scientific, customer and market data to determine an invention’s commercial potential. Following this analysis, the Commercial Development Team will make a recommendation on the plan for exploitation.

Working in close collaboration with the Innovation Discovery Team and the Investment & Licensing team, they will develop a package of information that can be used to produce commercially compelling business plans, valuations and partner due-diligence activities and present their findings for approval at Stage Gate 2.

The Commercial Development Team are responsible for communicating with the inventors the analysis and decisions made in the Innovation Factory about invention. This will be done with support from the Innovation Discovery Team.

Role Summary

Supporting the growth of our digital portfolio, the Commercial Development Manager (Digital) role bridges the gap between technical innovation and commercial viability, supporting digital ventures and implementing strategic initiatives.

Skills, Experience & Qualities: Essential

• Good understanding of software development, digital products and technology architecture
• Ability to assess whether digital solutions are technically sound and well-built
• Familiarity with modern development practices, tech stacks and digital business models
• Understanding of key digital areas - AI/ML, SaaS, mobile, web platforms, data science.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Good project management and organisational skills
• Can work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Comfortable when things aren't perfectly defined or structured

• Genuinely interested in technology commercialisation
• Entrepreneurial mindset and keen to learn
• Diplomatic approach to working with different stakeholders
• Self-motivated and keen to take initiative
• Keen to support academic innovation and make an impact

• 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

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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