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

Job Description

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.