BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY (BCU) JOB DESCRIPTION. Director Innovation, Enterprise and Employability

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1 Job Title Faculty/ School/Department Responsible to: Responsible for: Ass Director Enterprise Research Innovation and Enterprise Director Innovation, Enterprise and Employability Direct report posts: Senior B2B marketing manager (MA3) IP commercialisation manager (MA2) Senior KT Manager (MA3) University Events Manager (MA2) Head of Commercial Development and Delivery (MA3) Oversight of: BCU Enterprises Trading Company Enterprise/Innovation projects Commercialisation of assets and knowledge including incubation and commercial space Advantage KTP IP Exploitation Budget holder for the above Job Purpose Under the guidance of the Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability, drive the commercialisation and development of new income to support the delivery of enterprise income growth for the University. Ensure BCU has a clear position within the regional growth strategy through BCU Advantage and to facilitate the strategic relationship with partners to drive performance of targets set for Enterprise/Innovation in the Corporate Plan. This role will lead income generation for BCU Enterprise Ltd as the primary vehicle through which non-student related income is generated. This will require the post holder to identify commercial opportunities, working with the KTP and IP teams, to develop clear business plans and enable the delivery of strong commercial relationships and profitable activity. It will also lead on the sale of space at STEAMhouse Phase 2, driving new business and spin outs to support income growth. The role will ensure that the opportunities offered through Advantage, STEAM and other associated external projects are aligned in supporting both the student journey and Academic mission maximising impact and KEF outputs. It will act as a catalyst for change to support a culture which underpins the University s transforming lives mission, working closely with the Director of Innovation and Enterprise and DVC to facilitate the successful delivery of Enterprise and Innovation strategies. Page 1 of 5

2 Main activities and responsibilities Work with the Director Innovation Enterprise and Employability to support the drive of the Knowledge Exchange Framework. Create a strategy and implementation plan to drive the commercialisation of facilities and IP including the establishment of incubation support, working in partnership with the STEAM team and estates. Drive profitable commercial relationships around new incubation and coworking spaces to ensure targets are delivered against. Develop a rolling 3 year strategic planning horizon for the BCU Advantage programme, working closely with the Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability, DVC, senior Faculty/School management. Drive new knowledge transfer, increasing the volume of KTPs and facilitating commercialisation activity to maximise the opportunities associated with knowledge transfer to support the University s KEF strategy. Drive the mechanisms to widen outreach to business to support more business associated with non-credit bearing CPD, developing advantage and working in partnership with faculties to stimulate new business. Operationally manage the teams to achieve defined objectives and provide sales management guidance and oversight for the achievement of Faculty staff sales/new engagement objectives Cultivate key stakeholders to ensure support for and alignment with BCU strategic objectives to ensure the profile and reputation of BCU is progressively enhanced with SMEs in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Help develop new products and services for the SME sector based on insights from engagements with regional business Become a key spokesperson/representative for the University at important West Midlands SME events, networks and meetings and making presentations. Maintain an oversight of the successful development and utilisation of the CRM capability. Establish and maintain both internal and external relationships with client groups in the areas of enterprise and entrepreneurship. Coach, mentor and support academics, students and graduates to develop and launch entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives. Stimulate thought leadership to assist the Deputy Vice Chancellor and the Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability in driving new revenues for commercial activity. OTHER Work with External Project Assurance and Faculty Financial staff to ensure correct bid and contract procedures are followed, including financial planning, milestones, and output recording. Provision of management information on SME engagement and Knowledge Transfer Pipeline data. Page 2 of 5

3 Monitor pipelines and income providing regular review on how best to facilitate growth to the executive team, including ideas on how to diversify income and develop new income sources. RIE budget holder for BCU Enterprise and associated commercialisation budgets. Ensure that the team is, and is perceived as, providing the necessary leadership, value, and bid/contractual support required by DVC, Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability, Executive Deans, Associate Deans and academics as well as relevant service departments. Represent the University on a variety of external bodies. Drive improvements and reviews on the commercial bid preparation and management process to ensure systems are fit for purpose, bids are of high quality, bid success is maximised and authorisation systems are set in such a way to accelerate authorisation timescales. Additional Key Requirements: Managing People and Resources Direct and lead Commercialisation teams and activities. Manage and drive business for commercial incubation spaces Create and drive policies, strategies and networks needed to transform income growth from enterprise activity. Make a leading contribution to University income targets. Communication Create and maintain strong and influential working relationships externally to secure new pathways to commercial income from space, CPD and IP Build strong networks internally with academic leads to ensure service support meets requirements to delivery KTP, IP and Consultancy targets in faculties Support the Director of Innovation, Enterprise and Employability as the spokesperson for Enterprise and Innovation Act as a spokesperson and representative of the University within key external networks. Teamwork and collaborative working Build networks of influential external contacts to advance the University s brand, reputation and profile. Drive connections with the region. Work in a way which promotes and facilitates joined up thinking and action. Lead teams within areas of responsibility and act to resolve conflicts within and between teams. Ensure that different teams within RIE, Faculties and other departments work effectively together. Initiative, problem solving and decision making Analyse market information and other data to inform innovation strategies and assess impact. Page 3 of 5

4 Identify and develop new business opportunities, products and services Identify and manage project risks and build in appropriate measures of risk management into bids and contracts. Influence University decisions through providing guidance on Innovation and Enterprise related issues and by giving insight into the regional growth and devolution agendas. Work environment Be aware of risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others. Ensure that appropriate risk management processes are operational within own areas of responsibility. Person Specification 1. Educated to Degree Level or Equivalent 2. Evidence of professional updating 3. Track record of developing successful dynamic teams in a knowledge transfer related field. 4. Experience of senior Commercial leadership at Board level - management of commercial incubation units ideal 5. Proven leadership and management skills in a senior commercial capacity. 6. Proven track record in developing and delivering innovative strategic plans. 7. Evidence of leading change management programmes. 8. Proven networker with evidence of established networks within the SME growth agenda. 9. Proven success in business prospecting and generating new business. 10. Substantial successful negotiation experience. 11. Evidence of collaborative working to develop innovative ideas. 12. Business case and planning experience 13. Successful Bid-writing experience 14. Experience of managing budgets 15. Experience of knowledge transfer activity. 16. Excellent interpersonal, communication and client liaison skills. 17. Ability to build confidence, credibility and rapport with team, academic colleagues and external partners and clients 18. The resilience necessary to overcome obstacles and resistance. 19. Ability to manage multitask portfolios 20. Evidence of strategic insight informing action Special Requirements Ability to undertake duties at different premises, including any University campus in required. Additional travel may be required from time to time in order to attend meetings, conferences and events. There may be a requirement to work outside of standard office hours. The post holder will be responsible for delivering a range of work in support of University projects. The project portfolio may be subject to change in accordance with University needs. Page 4 of 5

5 Expectations of all staff Professional standards All staff employed by Birmingham City University are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the University s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity. Equal Opportunities All staff are expected to understand and enact the University s commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values. Dignity at work Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect. The University is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy. Health and safety The arrangements for meeting the University s health and safety objectives are contained in the Birmingham City University Health and Safety Policy. This includes the responsibilities of key staff and procedures covering the main activities of the University. All staff are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and those that may be affected by their actions. Dress code The University does not operate a formal dress code for its employees, other than for those who are provided with uniform and/or protective clothing. However, employees must ensure that their dress is professional, reasonably smart and appropriate for the situation in which they are working. All staff should ensure that they present a professional image and one that reflects sensitivity to customer perceptions. This may reflect their ethnicity and lifestyle, but should not be provocative or cause offence to those with whom they have contact. Citizenship All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University s activities. This job description indicates the expectations of staff at this level. Job descriptions are not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility. Page 5 of 5