Senior Commercialisation Manager-Life Sciences (FTC)

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

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

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.
Cambridge Enterprise connects, empowers and enables the transformation of Cambridge research into global impact.

Part of the University of Cambridge, we support academics, researchers, staff and students in achieving knowledge transfer and research impact. We help innovators, experts and entrepreneurs use commercial avenues to develop their ideas and expertise for the benefit of society, the economy, themselves and the University.

Liaising with organisations both locally and globally, we offer expert advice and support in commercialisation and social enterprise, including help with academic consultancy services; the protection, development and licensing of ideas; new company and social enterprise creation, and seed funding.

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.

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