Commercial and Partnerships Manager

Join an organisation at the forefront of cutting-edge research, working with industry partners to turn complex ideas into real-world impact.

In a similar role already, you know how to take complex R&D projects from first conversation through to delivery. You’re comfortable bridging the gap between researchers and commercial stakeholders, and you understand what it takes to turn promising ideas into well-structured, contracted partnerships.

This role puts you right at the centre of that process, shaping how industry collaborations are developed, delivered and governed.

The role

You will manage a portfolio of industry-funded research projects, leading the commercial relationship while working closely with technical teams to build a strong pipeline of new opportunities.

Day-to-day, you will collaborate with colleagues across Finance, Legal, Contracts, Technology and Export to ensure projects are set up efficiently and run smoothly. Alongside this, you’ll take ownership of the frameworks that underpin new partnerships, making sure contracting, compliance and governance processes are robust, consistent and agile enough to keep pace with research activity.

What you’ll achieve in your first year:

• Introduce a structured intake process for new opportunities, aligning objectives with internal expertise and identifying key considerations such as IP, publication rights and export controls at an early stage
• Strengthen existing partnerships by developing follow-on proposals, while building new relationships in strategically important areas
• Establish a consistent, organisation-wide approach to commercial agreements, bringing together input from across professional services teams
• Develop shared tools for project oversight, including progress trackers, decision logs and reporting dashboards, improving visibility and coordination across project teams

What we’re looking for:

Essential

• A proven track record of scoping, costing, proposing and delivering complex R&D projects
• Strong project management skills, with evidence of improving delivery efficiency
• The ability to communicate clearly and build relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
• A solid understanding of contracts and compliance, including NDAs, Statements of Work, IP, publication rights and export controls
• Experience in business development and managing client relationships
• PhD-level education or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Familiarity with US government contracting and compliance requirements

Working pattern

This is a hybrid role, with typically 1 to 2 days per week on site depending on commercial activity. Occasional travel may be required.

We welcome part-time applications (minimum 3 days per week) and job-share arrangements.

Harper Evans Recruitment acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy.