Engineering and Physical Sciences Executive

Nottingham Technology Ventures Ltd (NTV) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Nottingham. NTV was established to focus on the creation and development of spin-out companies from the University, helping to generate value and impact from the commercialisation of world-leading research. NTV is responsible for managing the spin-out portfolio on the University’s behalf, and for identifying prospects for the internally-managed investment funds.

A motivated and experienced executive is required to support the company’s activities in Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). The primary purpose of this role is to work with the CEO of NTV to develop the EPS portfolio via the creation of new spin-outs and the ongoing management of the University’s interests in existing companies.

The EPS Executive will have responsibility for their own pipeline of opportunities, and will have relevant experience to identify and develop new spin-out propositions to grow the portfolio, including securing investment and building high-calibre executive teams.

The EPS Executive will report to the CEO of NTV and will work with colleagues in NTV’s Life Sciences team and UoN’s IP and Commercialisation Office (IPCO) as part of a close-knit team.

Main Responsibilities:

		% time
1.	Development of new EPS spin-out companies Supporting the end-to-end formation of EPS spin-out companies, including: Technical and commercial assessment of intellectual property (IP), including evaluation of technology readiness and market potential Management of a portfolio of projects with the potential to become spin-out companies, with responsibility for pro-actively driving company formation Developing investable business plans in concert with academic inventors and the IPCO Leading on venture building activities, including business development, negotiation of equity holdings, and recruitment of spin-out management and Boards Engaging with investors, where appropriate, to generate interest in proposed spin-outs	60%
2.	Supporting existing EPS spin-out companies Managing the University’s shareholdings in the EPS spin-out portfolio by: Building and maintaining excellent working relationships with specific early-stage portfolio companies to monitor growth and execution of business plans Participating in Boards of early-stage companies, where appropriate, as an Observer or a Non-Executive Director Representing the University, where appropriate, on transactions including fundraisings, exits or acquisitions	15%
3.	Generating investment propositions for the University’s investment funds Developing high-quality investment proposals for consideration by the University’s Spin-Out and Investment Committee (SOIC), including presentations, papers and related due diligence Leveraging the University’s investments via third party funding through the maintenance of a network of investors	15%
4.	Strategic planning and other duties Supporting the development and reporting of strategic direction of a portfolio of projects, to ensure that the approach taken meets the changing needs of both the University and the external landscape Representing NTV within the University and wider spin-out and investment community to promote activities of the company and to raise the profile of the University’s spin-out activity Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the external landscape Maintaining strong collaborative working practices with colleagues in the IPCO and external stakeholders, including investors Undertaking other duties appropriate to the role, as required	10%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualification and Experience

	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications/ Education	Education to degree level in relevant discipline or substantial equivalent experience	Relevant professional qualification Relevant higher degree/post-graduate qualification
Skills/Training	Excellent communication skills, including the ability to influence a wide variety of audiences/stakeholders Proven analytical capabilities Excellent team-working capabilities Ability to work to tight deadlines Self-motivated	Formal training in project or programme management
Experience	Substantial experience in a high tech start-up or HEI spin-out environment Substantial experience with IP commercialisation gained from previous roles in either tech transfer or business development Experience of drafting business plans and company formation Experience of reporting to, observing or sitting on company boards Experience of working with and influencing senior management	Investment and venture capital experience Industrial experience in a relevant sector Experience of managing or supporting company exits First-hand experience of raising funding for early-stage companies
Knowledge	An in-depth understanding of the commercial landscape in EPS and cross-cutting sectors A well-developed understanding of corporate governance issues	Knowledge of the UK research and innovation ecosystem

Background Information

The University has a maturing portfolio of spin-out companies, which has been developed over the past 10-15 years. There are currently 35 companies in the portfolio, including 3 listed companies. NTV supports the creation of 3 to 5 new businesses on an annual basis, working from a prospects pipeline of roughly 10 near-term opportunities at any one time. Development of new spin-outs occurs via a combination of in-house venture building and participation in established accelerator programmes, including Innovate UK’s ICURe programme.

The University has secured exits from 4 of its companies in recent years, generating a return of over £16m.

NTV was established in 2018 as the vehicle to lead on the University’s spin-out agenda, and to manage the £5m Invention Fund that was created at the same time to strategically invest in new and existing spin-out companies. Additional funding is available for early stage spin-outs through the University’s Pathfinder Fund, which is provided for from the University’s Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) allocation.

The NTV team is currently comprised of the CEO and a Life Sciences Executive. New opportunity and portfolio management in the EPS sector is, at present, provided by the Deputy Director of the IPCO. The new role will provide EPS-focussed expertise within NTV. NTV works closely alongside the University’s embedded IP and Commercialisation Office, which manages the identification, protection and commercialisation of University IP. A strong working relationship with colleagues in the IPCO is essential, as NTV works together with the IPCO team at the early stages of spin-out exploration, and the IPCO remains engaged throughout process of IP licensing to the spin-out. Thereafter, NTV takes sole responsibility for the spin-out portfolio. Share ownership resides with the University.

The University has an internal funding escalator for development of IP into commercial prospects through the Nottingham Impact Accelerator, which includes early-stage proof-of-concept grants leading through to the Pathfinder and Invention Funds described above.

In collaboration with the seven other Midlands Innovation universities, the University has established Midlands Mindforge Ltd, a patient capital investment company that aims to accelerate and enhance the commercialisation of ground-breaking science and technology. Midlands Mindforge is currently seeking to close an initial fundraise of £150m in order to invest in spin-out companies from the Midlands Innovation universities and IP-rich business in the region.

The EPS Executive will be an employee of NTV, but will be able to benefit from working within the University ecosystem, including:

Potential for flexible or part-time working;
30 days annual leave (pro-rata for part-time workers);
Option to participate in the University-managed associate pension scheme;
Option to become a member of the University’s sport centres at preferential rates;
Positive and supportive working environment within the Ingenuity Centre, which is part of the University of Nottingham Innovation Park (UNIP) on Jubilee Campus.

To apply for the role, please send a copy of your CV, together with a covering letter, to info@nottinghamtechventures.com

Engineering and Physical Sciences Executive

Vacancy Overview