Senior Commercialisation Manager (Life Sciences)
West Cambridge | From £60,000 | Full Time | Permanent | 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 straightforward: take strong university life sciences technologies and move them into the world through licensing, partnerships or spinout creation.
A portfolio of live cases comes with the role. Each one sits at a different stage, from early disclosure and opportunity shaping through to deal negotiation and post‑deal management. The work involves setting strategy, assessing commercial potential, and deciding how and when each case should progress.
This is a role with real ownership. Responsibility sits with case direction, commercial decisions and outcomes, working closely with academics, investors and industry partners. The work is fast moving and varied, focused on judgement and delivery rather than support activity.
Alongside casework, up to 40 percent of the role is focused on life sciences outreach across the University. This includes shaping and delivering activities that raise awareness of Cambridge Enterprise, building stronger engagement with researchers, and encouraging earlier, higher quality disclosures and commercial conversations.
Without this role, promising life sciences research would move more slowly or struggle to reach the right partners. This role helps keep that pipeline active, visible and moving forward.
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 our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. At Cambridge Enterprise, we promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture, so please apply if you meet the majority of the job requirements.
If you have any questions about the interview process, or if you 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.
