Senior Manager

Description:

As part of the University’s strategic plan, it is developing and growing its Business Development and Commercialisation team to partner with researchers to assist them in sourcing partners to collaborate with and invest in research. La Trobe conducts research in many fields however its focus areas are in Health & Wellness; Food & Agriculture and underpinned by enabling digital technology. With its regional campuses across Victoria, the University is focused on growing engagement and impact in its regional communities with strong industry connections.

The Senior Manager, Business Development will report directly to the Director, Business Development and Commercialisation and will work within a small team that is accountable to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement) PVC (IE). Importantly, this role involves working closely and collaboratively with researchers in the Schools to identify and build industry relationships to increase industry research income, improve research impact and develop strategically important, long-term industry partnerships and technology transfer across a range of research areas and into multiple markets. The Senior Manager is expected to take the lead with developing a strong pipeline of business development opportunities and deliver against that pipeline. They will work closely with their colleagues across the Industry Engagement team, which is responsible for commercialisation, enterprise development, business development in education and seeking co-location industry partners for the Research and Innovation Precinct.

Skills and Experience:

• Contribute to the Office of the PVC (IE) Business Development strategy and provide advice that will inform the Director and PVC (IE), senior school and other relevant University leaders, with respect to research partnerships and engagement initiatives.
• Develop and deliver the Business Development pipeline for industry research engagement to meet financial and strategic objectives, including regular pipeline reviews with the Schools.
• Lead and co-ordinate the development and execution of collaborative research and engagement opportunities including internal and external relationship management, market research, IP protection, and contract negotiation/execution.
• Identify and advance opportunities to collaborate with and attract new and existing partners, and establish key strategic partnerships with industry, not for profit organisations, and government bodies that align with La Trobe’s research capabilities and strengths.
• Develop, maintain and extend effective networks, partnerships and strategic alliances with researchers, other universities, industry leaders and relevant government agencies that foster collaborative research partnerships and deliver research outcomes with demonstrable impact.