Senior Commercialisation Manager (Life Sciences)
West Cambridge | From £60,000 | Full Time | 12 Month Contract | Hybrid (2 days per week from home)
Why you will love this role
This is a senior, hands on role sitting at the point where life sciences research becomes commercial reality. The focus is simple: take promising university technologies and move them into the world through licensing, partnerships or spinout creation.
A portfolio of live cases comes with the role. Each one is at a different stage, from early disclosure through to deal negotiation. Work involves shaping strategy, assessing opportunity, and deciding how each case progresses.
This is a role with real ownership. Responsibility sits with case direction, deal execution and commercial outcome, working closely with academics, investors and industry partners. It is fast moving, varied and centred on real decisions rather than support work.
Because this is a fixed term role, there is a clear focus on delivery. The emphasis is on progressing live opportunities, closing deals where possible, and ensuring strong outcomes across an active pipeline of life sciences technologies.
Without this role, promising research would move more slowly or stall before reaching industry. This role keeps that pipeline moving.
What we're looking for
Strong background in life sciences, typically PhD level or equivalent research experience
Experience in commercialisation, licensing, spinouts or life sciences business development
Strong understanding of intellectual property and how it is used in commercial deals
Experience negotiating agreements such as licences, NDAs, MTAs or collaboration contracts
Confidence making decisions on complex opportunities involving risk, impact and resources
Experience managing a portfolio of projects or multiple active cases
Strong relationship building skills across academia, industry and investment communities
Clear communication skills, including explaining complex ideas to different audiences
Ability to take ownership and drive work through to completion in a fast paced environment
Nice to have
Experience mentoring or supporting colleagues
Existing network across industry or investment
Experience with spinout company formation
Familiarity with university or technology transfer environments
Experience using CRM systems
Exposure to conferences, partnering events or external engagement
Diversity and equality matter
These are ideal requirements, but applications are welcome from anyone who meets most of the criteria. Cambridge Enterprise is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment.
If you have any questions about the interview process, or need reasonable adjustments, please contact people@enterprise.cam.ac.uk
Perks at a glance
30 days holiday plus bank holidays
Class-leading Bupa private medical insurance
Hybrid working with flexibility, including up to 30 days per year working from abroad in most roles
Generous University pension scheme
Personal development support including LinkedIn Learning
Family-friendly policies including enhanced parental leave, childcare benefits, fertility leave and pregnancy loss leave
Mental health and wellbeing support with access to free counselling
Access to Bupa Menopause Plan
Retail and travel discounts
Why Cambridge Enterprise
Cambridge Enterprise sits at the heart of one of the world’s leading research ecosystems. As part of the University of Cambridge, we turn academic innovation into real-world impact through licensing, partnerships, spinouts and investment.
We support academics, researchers, staff and students in translating their ideas into practice, helping innovators, experts and entrepreneurs use commercial pathways to develop their work for the benefit of society, the economy, themselves and the University.
Key dates
Closing date: 31st May
First interviews: w/c 15th June
Second interviews: 1st & 2nd July
Applications may close early if there is strong interest, so early application is recommended.
Cambridge Enterprise is the commercialisation arm of the University of Cambridge.
At Cambridge Enterprise, we help University of Cambridge members create beneficial impact from their research and expertise that can change the world, through academic consultancy, intellectual property management, development and licensing, venture building, venture funding and convening and connecting the wider Cambridge innovation ecosystem.
Our success is measured in the success of our University partners as they bring their work to market, be it ground-breaking stem cell research, critical suspension technology used in Formula 1 racing, or a flower seed mix to enable bees to flourish and crops grow. We’re here to make the world a better place by helping to create a legacy of products, services and advice that benefit not just the University and the UK, but everyone.
