Senior Business Development Manager (Engineering and Physical Sciences)

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for innovation and industry collaboration? Aston University is seeking a dynamic Senior Business Development Manager to lead business development initiatives within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, with a particular focus on AI and digital innovation.

Aston University’s 2030 Strategy sets out a bold vision to become a leading university of science, technology, and enterprise, with a transformational impact on students, staff, businesses, and communities. The University is recognised as a sector leader in knowledge exchange, achieving top ratings for both working with business and local growth and regeneration in the most recent Knowledge Exchange Framework and we are also recognised for our pioneering work in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, where we rank amongst the leading institutions across the UK.

This is a pivotal role, reporting to the Director of Knowledge Exchange, where you’ll drive strategic partnerships, secure collaborative research income, and support our ambitious growth plans. You’ll work closely with academic teams, external stakeholders, and internal departments to develop and deliver our research and innovation-related activities, lead complex funding bids, and enhance the University’s research and enterprise profile.

We’re looking for someone with:

Proven experience in strategic business development within a research-intensive or higher education environment.
Strong commercial mindset and track record of securing large-scale industrial research and innovation funding
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management skills.
This is your opportunity to join a highly motivated and successful team and shape the future of research and innovation across the University.

This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role.

Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.

See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Job Purpose:
The Senior Business Development Manager (SBDM) is a key strategic role; central to delivering
Aston’s sector-leading research, enterprise and innovation activities.
Reporting to the Director of Knowledge Exchange, the role holder will play a lead role in driving
business development to build strategic, revenue generating partnerships with industry and other
external stakeholders. These collaborations are essential for securing collaborative research income
and innovation opportunities for the University.
The SBDM will be responsible for driving the delivery of the ambitious knowledge exchange targets
outlined in the Aston 2030 Strategy for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences with a
particular focus on AI and digital innovation.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:
 Work strategically to oversee research and innovation planning, research mapping
activities and delivery of strategic business development.
 Deliver ambitious commercial income generation targets with industrial, public sector and
other partners aligned with our research, innovation and enterprise priorities.
 Develop, agree and implement business and operational plans, based on Institute, College
and University strategies.
 Lead on the development of large strategic and complex funding bids.
 Contribute towards strategic partnerships, account management and CRM activities
across the University to drive growth and enhance value to all stakeholders.
 Develop KPIs and report on individual and team performance to Executive staff, Deans,
Associate Deans and other senior leaders across the University.
 Collaborate closely with the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Manager to drive and
support our sector leading KTP activity.
 Represent the University at high-profile meetings and events.
 Work closely with Research and Enterprise colleague, including Aston Ventures and the
Impact Team to support translational research and industrial engagement for other
research funders i.e. UKRI and EU funding.
 Work with the Research and operations team to ensure that Aston and its academics
interests are safeguarded when negotiating NDAs and award contracts.
 Lead on coordinating efforts with our marketing team to maximise the profile of our
collaborative research and knowledge exchange activities.

Additional responsibilities:
 Engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the
demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development
activities.
 Ensure and promote the personal health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students.
 Carry out duties in a way which promotes fairness in all matters and which engenders
trust.
 Promote equality of opportunity and support diversity and inclusion as well as working
to support the University’s environmental sustainability agenda and practices.

In 1895, the City of Birmingham launched a major initiative to prepare its citizens for the future: the Birmingham Municipal Technical School. Over time, the institution expanded to become Aston University. Now a truly global institution, the University’s mission is still to help communities grasp the opportunities of the next industrial revolution.