BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY (BCU)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title / IP Manager – (MA1)
Faculty/ School/Department / Innovation and Enterprise
Responsible to: / Head of IP, Contracts and Exploitation
Responsible for: / n/a
Job Purpose
To support the University in developing an awareness of Intellectual Property (IP) in terms of its value, its protection and its exploitation potential. To support creators of IP to apply for funding, to find suitable potential licensees and to prepare suitable business cases and plans to support commercialisation strategy of the Universityincluding licensing and spin-out venture formation. This post is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Main activities and responsibilities
  • Establish and maintain productive relationships with the University’s academic and research community to stimulate awareness of intellectual property issues and commercial opportunities, and to encourage an innovative and entrepreneurial culture within the University.
  • Contribute to the process of auditing University departments to identify intellectual property with potential for commercial exploitation.
  • Assess the commercial potential of University intellectual property, and identify appropriate routes to exploitation.
  • AdviseUniversity staff on, and support the protection ofUniversityIPmaking recommendations for the commercial exploitation of University IP to the Head of IP & Contractsand to appropriate staff leading the implementation of these recommendations once agreed.
  • Conduct IP due diligence in relation to IP ownership and exploitation rights assessing and advising on the strength of IP rights.
  • Develop and implement IP exploitation plans and associated business planssupporting staff in submitting applications for funding for IP development.
  • Appropriately market University intellectual property to identify and engage commercial exploitation partners / investors helping to maintain and develop such relationships.
  • Prepare marketing material to secure interest from licensees and funders of spin-out companies.
  • Engage in licensing and new spin out formation processes as well as other commercialisation approaches; in particular structuring, negotiating and closing deals.
  • Liaise with colleagues in the RIE team and wider University to contribute to the development of good practice in commercialisation of University IP.
  • Deliver IP related training events to promote IP and commercialisation awareness to staff, students and graduates.
  • Develop and implement activities to support the University impact agenda in relation to IP.
  • Negotiation and management of IP licences and other legal agreements associated with commercialisation.
  • Carry out such other duties relevant to the post holder’s experience as requested by the Head of Innovation & Exploitation.

Additional requirements
Communication
  • Communicate complex information to a wide variety of audiences in order to secure potential IP opportunities and compliant results.
Teamwork and collaborative working
  • Work closely with colleagues across Faculties and with colleagues in central professional services to ensure that IP Services deliver an outstanding service, proactive and responsive to the needs of customer groups and is efficient, effective, equitable and fair; maintaining and enhancing the University’s reputation for quality.
  • Work closely with external stakeholders such as solicitors, funders and external consultants to deliver the IP strategies for the University
Initiative, problem solving and decision making
  • Provide advice on strategic issues affecting administration and innovation issues within Faculties.
  • Identify and drive forward opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of innovation, legal, administrative and support functions.
  • Resolve problems affecting the delivery of innovation, administrative and support services within University.
  • Influence wider Faculty and University decisions through participation in relevant working groups and committees and consultations.
Work environment
  • Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others.
  • Ensure that appropriate risk management processes are operational within own areas of responsibility

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.
Person Specification
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline
  • Desirable
  • PhD
  • Business Qualification e.g. MBA
  • IP related qualification
  • Experience of commercialisation of IP
  • Experience of working within an academic environment.
  • Proven track record of deal completion
  • Project management skills and experience
  • Good understanding of IP protection, IP rights law and IP policy
  • Good knowledge of Technology Transfer systems / processes
  • Practical knowledge of commercialisation and investment networks
  • An ability to assimilate and understand academic and technical issues
  • Ability to facilitate commercial and research collaborations between organisations and a university
Evidence of:
  • Attention to detail, completer-finisher
  • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
  • A team player able to motivate other staff members and maximise their potential
  • Proven ability to work with a minimum of supervision, particularly with respect to non-routine matters, using technical skills, personal attributes, experience, knowledge of environment and initiative
  • Ability to prioritise/organise personal workloads and reach decisions quickly
  • Good communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Technical sales and negotiation skills
  • Excellent business, PC, administrative presentation and communication skills

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.

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