Technology Commercialisation Manager - New Research Accelerators

Reports to: Head of Research Acceleration

Purpose and scope of the role:

The Carbon Trust Innovation team works with public and private sector clients to help bring low carbon technologies to market quicker, cheaper and at greater scale.

Research Accelerators are designed to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging technologies by creating new commercial ventures, including special purpose vehicles, equity investments, joint development agreements, as well as grant funding for new research.   

This role entails the design, development, delivery and management of a commercially-focussed research accelerator programme in one or more focus market areas.

The current role involves leadership of a major programme aiming to accelerate the commercialisation of breakthrough polymer fuel cell technologies that have the potential to bring about a step-change in cost that could unlock mass market applications (e.g. in combined heat and power and automotive applications). It will involve working with leading-edge early stage technology businesses and helping to spin-out a new business from a university consortium. Key to the success of the programme will be helping the teams involved to engage with vehicle manufacturers and other key supply chain partners, as well as communicating the outcomes of the programme to a range of industry and government stakeholders.

The role also plays an active role in new business development across Carbon Trust Innovation, with a focus on building new commercial partnerships and investment opportunities to commercialise emerging technologies.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Design, development and delivery of the Research Accelerator initiative, including the underlying market and business case analysis, specifically:

• Carrying out quantitative market analysis to establish the commercial and carbon impacts of future R&D breakthroughs in a large, strategic market 
• Assessing UK capabilities to compete globally in R&D in this market
• Managing a process to engage and recruit world-class researchers
• Designing and syndicating suitable commercial structures, including investing/supporting existing early stage research/companies and potentially forming new ventures and raising external finance
• Project management of the end-to-end processes of an investment (including legal, financial, technical review and reporting aspects of both the set-up and delivery phases)
• Management of R&D operations (through venture board participation and/or day-to-day engagement) to maximise the value of the Carbon Trust's investment and ensure focus remains on carbon-saving technology
• Active engagement with key stakeholders in industry and government to help facilitate the outcomes of the research accelerator programme
• Marketing of the programme (including speaking engagements, publication of reports and press releases)
• People management and collaborative working: Role will have access to analyst and commercial manager support and will need to be able to direct and manage resources to deliver outcomes
• Supporting business development across Carbon Trust Innovation and the broader Carbon Trust group

Key Performance Indicators:

• Size of audited, projected carbon savings attributed to the technology developed in the Research Challenge phase

• Return on investment and rate of return for investors in the new Research Accelerator
• Delivery of each phase of the Accelerator to agreed objectives and timescales
• Cost-effectiveness of resource spending (e.g., market analysis, IP landscaping) in support of Accelerator capital investment
• Strength of relationships with key stakeholders: government department and other funders; potential buyers for the technology; the broader relevant research community; and other funding and enabling bodies

Key skills:

The role requires a thorough understanding of how to generate business value from the process of developing products or services that rely on a distinctive technology. 

• Ability to quickly develop an understanding of the scientific and engineering principles of a range of leading-edge low carbon technologies 
• Ability to lead the development of investment and intellectual property management strategies for commercially-focussed applied research projects
• Strong quantitative modelling skills with the ability to develop insightful techno-economic, investment and market models 'from scratch'
• Strong leadership and project management skills: able to establish leadership of a diverse set of stakeholders in academic and commercial environments; able to manage input and approvals from key internal and external stakeholders; able to develop plans and secure approval for project resources; able to recruit and lead a project team comprised of internal and external resources; and able to take responsibility for project contingencies and risks. 
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders by building trust, demonstrating leadership and vision, and sharing enthusiasm.  Ability to develop and secure support from extensive informal internal and external networks
• Impactful written and oral communication skills;  confident and highly effective public speaker

Qualifications and experience:

Required

• Degree educated (at least 2:1 or equivalent) in a science or engineering subject
• Experience of working on the commercialisation of the output of applied research and development activities, with tangible success
• Significant experience (post undergraduate degree) of carrying out applied research and development in either an academic or industrial environment 
• Experience of leading multiple-person project teams

Desirable

• PhD qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline
• Experience of working in the technology venture environment, either within a venture management team, or as venture investment fund manager
• Investment deal-making / transaction experience
• Experience of working in the low carbon / "cleantech" sector (particularly fuel cells)

Candidates wishing to apply for this position should send a fully up-to-date CV of no more than 2 pages in length to human.resources@carbontrust.co.uk