Manchester Growth Company Role Profile

Business Development Job Title: Date: 5 November 2015 Manager – Universities Reporting Innovation Team Leader Job Level: 14 Line: Department: Business Growth Hub Business Area: BSBF

JOB PURPOSE To deliver specialist business collaboration advice for the Innovation Growth Manager, nominated University of [name] contact and businesses, to increase the level of investment in research and innovation, knowledge exchange and use of university facilities. The role will proactively generate high quality business leads, translating identified needs into specific requirements and actions designed to achieve the shared objectives of both the Business Growth Hub and the University. Working jointly between the Innovation Growth team and University departments, the role will develop and manage collaborative relationships with businesses and other key partners that are best suited to meet business needs. This includes the integration of wider Innovation advice and support, to aid overall business growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Business Development Manager’s primary responsibility is to ensure that identified business needs for research and innovation are translated into collaboration opportunities, which will produce the maximum impact in terms of client company engagement, university cooperation and innovation, and that will lead to the delivery of outputs and outcomes in terms of increased research and innovation investments, new products and processes, new jobs created and jobs safeguarded and growth. This will include:

 Undertaking detailed discussions with clients around complex issues to understand their research and innovation challenges, identifying potential opportunities for developing University cooperation and recommending actions.  Carrying out further analysis and interpretation of business needs, as required, to provide Advisors and senior management teams, or businesses boards, with recommendations regarding appropriate opportunities to access the University facilities and expertise.  Develop and utilise an understanding of the University’s research and knowledge exchange capabilities, including available facilities and people, and how to access relevant support via Business Engagement team(s). Understand sources of funding available through university collaboration e.g. KTP, IAA, EU Horizon 2020 etc.  Act as a bridge between the Innovation Growth Service, businesses and Universities, translating business needs into academic challenges and opportunities for technology transfer, research collaboration, and recruitment, in order to enable businesses to progress their strategic direction and implementation of business development plans that will lead to innovation and growth.  Deliver bespoke collaboration support directly to enable them to fully meet their innovation potential, which typically will require more complex intervention.  Take on an active project management role in order to contribute to the successful completion of specific business collaboration and knowledge exchange projects.  Provide guidance and support, contributing to the development of effective marketing strategies that promote and position the joint work of the Innovation Growth Service and Universities as part of a Greater Manchester innovation network, raising awareness and engagement with businesses.  Act as an ambassador, representing the Innovation Growth Service and University at marketing and networking events across the geographical area covered, to enhance awareness of the Innovation Growth Services amongst businesses and intermediaries.  To facilitate and maintain professional and effective external working relationships with Innovation Service and University key partners and stakeholders.  To ensure that relevant management information is captured on Business Growth Hub and university CRM systems and is utilised for business and quality improvement and to define and support the processes and procedures that underpin high quality and effective delivery.  To identify opportunities for development of own skills and for the gaining of relevant experience, and maintaining and developing high levels of knowledge and understanding, to review and compare their own working practices and identify areas for improvement.  To undertake and complete other relevant tasks as requested by the Innovation Growth Manager and nominated University lead contact.

DIMENSIONS Customers:  Innovation Team Leader and Innovation Advisors, Directors and Senior Managers of SMEs and large companies across Greater Manchester, Senior university and academic Staff, Manchester Science Partnerships staff and the Senior Business Growth Hub Management Team and wider Service delivery staff, including Digital, Eco-Innovation and Large Company Services. Partners:  Four Greater Manchester universities, Manchester Science Partnerships, GM AHSN, MIDAS, European Enterprise Network, HMRC, Innovate UK, National Research Councils and Catapult Centres and wider Business Growth Hub legal and professional partners. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Skills:  Excellent communication and networking skills  Sales and account management skills  Presentation skills both written and oral  Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and project management skills  Well-developed IT skills, including an understanding of computerised management information systems, spreadsheets, diary management, e-mail and CRM databases.  Ability to work under pressure  Commercial Awareness

Key Skills:  Ability to liaise with all levels of personnel  Ability to effectively links objectives and actions to an overall strategy  Ability to prioritise and schedule to ensure optimum use of time and resource  Sufficiently organised and flexible to switch between several ongoing tasks

Qualifications and experience:  At least degree level business education, or degree level qualification with a Management body or the relevant business experience to match these  Significant sector(s)/business experience in the private sector, including at a senior management or Director Level, or track record in a University Business Development role.  An ethical understanding of what commercial services best meet the interests of the client  Experience of working with and prioritising portfolio of clients and prospects  Experience of working in a technology or academic environment and using Microsoft office applications Knowledge:  Understanding and experience of using project management techniques  Has technical knowledge in the key areas of product or process development and/or science.

 Market knowledge and experience of key sectors: confident discussing, identifying and understanding business and technical issues/solutions  Wider knowledge of public and private sector clients  Understanding of sector issues

Personal Style:  Highly presentable team player, but also a self-starter  Proven critical thinking and problem solving skills  Ability to identify opportunities and to be innovative  Professional and flexible approach and attitude  Excellent verbal and presentation skills  Excellent report and letter writing skills  Clean current driving licence

CONTEXT The Innovation Growth team is a core services within the Business Growth Hub. To achieve business plan objectives this service needs to become the go-to service for anyone wanting support to start or grow a business in Greater Manchester. The success of this service will require a high level of joint delivery with teams across the BSBF division.

Subject to funding this post is part-funded by European Regional Development Funds within the 2014- 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme.