Research Commercialization Manager

Job Purpose

Key Result Areas

• Create, manage, and monitor University Energy & Environment (E&E) technology portfolio towards a commercial route to market.
• Lead HBKU R&D Corp. E&E focused commercialization activities from initiation to completion.
• Perform Innovation Readiness Level (IRL) Assessments regularly to develop systems and processes alongside colleagues, by which projects can be managed efficiently and effectively.
• Identify commercialization opportunities and to determine optimal commercialization pathways for the University’s E&E focused intellectual outcomes.
• Increase the number and/or quality of successful technology and knowledge transfer agreements via either licensing, service agreements, product creation and dissemination or spin-out company formation in partnership with the relevant OIIR Team.
• Support preparation of internal commercialization strategy documents, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare, review, assess, and manage research commercialization agreements.
• Manage the commercial transactions and ensure compliance license obligations in collaboration with relevant OIIR Team member (s).
• Participate where required in university-wide communications events to increase awareness, interest and demand for research commercialization, including staff development.
• Drive standardization and continuous improvement of commercialization activities.
• Produce appropriate real-time reports and data analyses.
• Represent the OIIR on appropriate groups, committees or bodies that may be constituted from time to time.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with HBKU members.
• Identify and promote external funding opportunities for commercialization activities in collaboration with relevant OIIR Team member (s).
• Facilitate and develop commercialization partnerships with key national, regional, and international industries, government, and research entities.
• Provide advice and guidance to OIIR ED on research activities that are potential external investment or commercialization opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, University policies and procedures in respect of intellectual property, patents, licensing, and commercialization activities.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in law, business, economics or relevant engineering and 8-10 years of relevant full-time work experience, 3- of which at a supervisory level. Postgraduate degree is an advantage.
• Experience in energy and environment focused idea/product/technology commercialization, business development, and technology & knowledge transfer.
• Strong knowledge and experience in innovation ecosystem within and beyond Academia.
• Excellent knowledge of funding and investment processes for new technologies
• In-depth knowledge of market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and industry trends in Energy and Environment sector
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business relationships
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business relationships
• Proven track record of successfully bringing Energy and Environment research or technologies to market
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to draft and edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas clearly and concisely; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.