Senior Business Engagement Manager

The Role

The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a national research institute dedicated to developing disruptive technologies that transform our understanding of biology and improve human health. Working across physical sciences, engineering, computation and biology, the Franklin brings together leading researchers to tackle complex scientific challenges and accelerate scientific discovery.

As the Franklin continues to grow its scientific capability and industrial impact, we are seeking an experienced and proactive business engagement professional to strengthen our industry partnerships, increase opportunities for collaboration and translation, and support the commercial development of Franklin technologies and expertise.

The Senior Business Engagement Manager will play a leading role in developing and managing Franklin's portfolio of industrial relationships, partnerships and commercial opportunities.

Working closely with Challenge Leaders, and senior researchers, the postholder will identify opportunities to connect the Franklin's world-class science and technology capabilities with external organisations across sectors including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health technology, advanced engineering, instrumentation, AI, data science and related industries.

The role combines strategic relationship management, business development, partnership creation and support for commercialisation activities. The successful candidate will work with researchers and external partners to develop collaborative projects, translational programmes, licensing opportunities and pathways to impact.

The postholder will also contribute to developing a culture of engagement and translation across the Institute by providing training, guidance and practical support to researchers and professional services colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

As Senior Business Engagement Manager, you will:

Industry Partnership Development

• * Develop and manage a portfolio of strategic industrial relationships aligned to Franklin's scientific priorities.
• * Identify and secure new partnership opportunities with companies, innovation organisations and investors.
• * Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders across industry, academia and the innovation ecosystem.
• * Work with scientific leaders to understand emerging industrial needs and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• * Develop account management plans for key industry partners.
• * Represent Franklin at conferences, industry events, networking activities and stakeholder meetings.

Business Development and Income Generation

• * Develop a pipeline of partnership, sponsorship and collaborative research opportunities.
• * Support the generation of income through industrial collaborations, consultancy, translational funding and strategic partnerships.
• * Work with researchers and facility managers to develop compelling propositions for external partners.
• * Support the preparation of business cases, partnership proposals and funding applications.
• * Identify routes to expand Franklin's engagement with sectors relevant to its scientific strengths.

Commercialisation and Translation

• * Work with researchers to identify technologies, capabilities and expertise with commercial potential.
• * Support the progression of intellectual property opportunities in collaboration with external commercialisation and technology transfer partners.
• * Contribute to the development of commercialisation pathways, including licensing opportunities and collaborative development projects.
• * Assist with market assessment, partner identification and technology positioning activities.
• * Support the development and maintenance of a visible pipeline of translational and commercial opportunities.

Business Engagement Programmes

• * Design and deliver programmes that connect Franklin researchers with industry.
• * Develop workshops, networking activities, industry showcases and capability demonstrations.
• * Create opportunities for businesses to engage with Franklin research programmes and technology platforms.
• * Establish mechanisms for gathering industry insight and informing strategic planning.

Training and Capability Development

• * Develop training and guidance materials to improve commercial awareness and engagement skills across the Institute.
• * Provide practical advice and mentoring to researchers seeking to engage with industry.

Internal Collaboration

• * Support coordination between scientific and operational teams.
• * Contribute to organisational planning, reporting and impact evaluation activities.
• * Promote best practice in partnership management and external engagement across the Institute.

Reporting Structure

The postholder will be reporting to Director of Strategic Marketing and will work closely with:

• * Institute Director and Chief Operating Officer
• * Challenge Leaders
• * Research Grants and Contracts Team
• * Communications Team
• * Innovation Manager
• * External commercialisation and technology transfer partner
• * Franklin’s external advisory boards

Direct Reports

No direct reports initially, although the successful candidate may contribute to the development and supervision of future business engagement staff or placement students.