Senior Commercialisation Lead - Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Job no: 0061941
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time / Continuing
Department/School: Research Innovation and Commercialisation
Salary: Senior Manager 1 

• Enable the matching of brilliant research with real-world demands. 

• Amazing opportunity for a proven deal-maker! 

• Med-tech related industries 

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated. 

The Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RIC) team is the heartbeat of turning academic brilliance into real-world impacts. RIC excels in fuelling innovation from concept to commercialization, specializing in funding, IP management, and forging dynamic industry links. 

Championing a culture of excellence, RIC thrives on feedback, celebrates achievements, and prioritizes the University's goals. It's a place where big ideas meet meticulous execution, propelling the University to the forefront of global innovation and making a tangible difference in society. 

The Senior Commercialisation Lead, Knowledge & Technology Transfer (KTT) is instrumental in advancing the University's intellectual property (IP)with a focus upon the life sciences technologies. Collaborating closely with Business Developers, Legal, Genesis Ventures, and UMC, they craft and execute sophisticated commercial and IP strategies. 

Reporting directly to the Director of Commercialisation, the Lead navigates complex licensing deals and supports the emergence of start-ups or spin-outs. They play a vital role in enhancing KTT's deal-making capabilities, particularly during the 'Work-Up' stage. 

Measured by KPIs, including the volume and complexity of commercial deals, the Senior Commercialisation Lead prioritizes speed, quality, and a global outlook. Your mission is to propel the University’s innovations onto the global stage, ensuring commercial success and widespread impact. 

For a more detailed outline of the scope and responsibilities of this role please refer to the attached Position Description. 

About You 

You possess a robust educational background, including an advanced postgraduate degree in relevant scientific disciplines, accompanied by over 15 years of hands-on experience in technology transfer or a comprehensive understanding of early-stage IP development and commercialization processes within an academic context.  

You also bring a proven track record of successful IP-related transactions and exhibit a depth of knowledge acquired from both successful and unsuccessful deals. Additionally, you will bring your well-established global network and relationships across various sectors. 

Desirable qualifications may include additional degrees or diplomas in business or law, particularly in marketing, market valuation, or intellectual property. 

In terms of skills and competencies, the ideal candidate should possess expertise in IP-license related deal-making, adept at securing internal approvals and closing deals promptly with global partners.  

A comprehensive understanding of various intellectual property types and the fundamentals of patent protection will be necessary, along with the ability to provide strategic advice on IP policies and technology commercialization issues.  

Strong proficiency in technical, market, and legal due diligence, as well as experience in drafting, negotiating, and reviewing complex commercialization transactions, are essential. Above all, the ideal candidate should possess exceptional relationship-building skills, capable of fostering positive connections across all organizational levels and with key stakeholders. 

To ensure the University continue to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.    

This role requires current valid working rights for Australia. 

About the University of Melbourne 
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website  and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn .    

Benefits of Working with Us 
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits. To find out more, visit  https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits . 

Be Yourself 
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion  page. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants 
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne. 

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring  

Join Us! 

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including: 

• Brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience. 

• Your resume. 

• A 1-page deal sheet outlining all relevant deals you have participated in delivering. 

(You ARE NOT required to address the Key Selection Criteria found in the Position Description.)   

Internal/ Existing employees are strongly encouraged to speak with their current people leaders prior to submitting your application.   

Please Note:  We will be progressing applications as received.  If this role appeals to you and your experience is relevant please do not wait until the closing date - take action now!

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] and include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not submit your application via this email. 

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact Kim Groizard at [email protected] , with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".  

Position Description