Strategic Partnerships Manager

Ref: 259 Oxford University Innovation and its Life Science Licensing & Ventures team is known for its expedited work on the Oxford/AZ Covid 19 vaccine, the WHO approved malaria vaccine and creating spinouts like MiroBio who provide therapeutics for autoimmune disease or revolutionise DNA sequencing like Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Helping Oxford University commercialise its intellectual property provides a broad and varied opportunity to create impact and financial returns to the University. Join us and you could be part of the Oxford community in an exciting role responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key players in the Oxford ecosystem such as research funders and the local NHS Trusts. The post holder will also work with the University to develop frameworks to commercialise data assets and establish revenue sharing provisions for intellectual property arising through use of third-party data.
The Opportunity: The successful candidate will work within our fast-moving and successful Life Sciences Group, negotiating and managing framework agreements with funding bodies and other key ecosystem partners. This role reflects the University’s ambition to grow innovation activities and the need for framework agreements with funding bodies, hospital trusts and other stakeholders to ensure innovation runs efficiently and there is a fair share of revenue from research commercialisation.
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop an appropriate strategy to manage existing agreements with funding bodies.
• Update the University’s Research Services department on new framework agreements and their obligations, and be the point person for any queries on new or existing framework agreements.
• Manage requests for new or updated commercial framework agreements for OUI projects, working with the University.
• Collaborate with other technology transfer offices to coordinate responses to research funder policies and share best practices around research commercialisation frameworks.
• Negotiate fair and equitable revenue sharing agreements for the commercialisation of University data assets and intellectual property arising through the use of third-party data.
• Represent the University and OUI in discussions relating to data and research commercialisation frameworks.
• Work constructively and collaboratively with OUI and University colleagues to develop sound business models, proposals, recommendations, and analysis.

The Candidate: The candidate will need to have excellent people skills and be a kind and confident team player with a proven track record and experience working in diverse teams. A 2:1 degree in life science, or equivalent, is required, along with a demonstrated passion for science, innovation, and significant experience in the pharmaceutical, life science, medical, biotech, or digital innovation sectors. You will also need to demonstrate that you have the skills to work well with knowledgeable and motivated people to achieve goals, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills, and a commitment to integrity and sound commercial judgement. You should be able to work autonomously and manage diversity and complexity effectively.
Relevant Experience: Experience in any of the following industries or sectors is relevant and helpful:

• Strategic partnerships working with research funders, NHS Trusts or government.
• Therapeutic development, pharmaceutical or data-driven drug discovery, vaccine development, biomarkers, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health and personalised diagnostics and medicine.
• Commercialisation of data assets.

How to Apply: If you are interested in applying for this role, please download the application form from the OUI website and send it together with a copy of your CV and cover letter to Roy Bennett our recruitment partner at Please also state your preferred pronouns. Information about our culture and working life at OUI can be found here . Grade for this role is commensurate with experience and will be in the range of £52,000 – £64,000 per annum with excellent benefits including 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, generous pension scheme, private medical and rewards scheme. The closing date is midday Friday 7th March 2025.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Oxford University Innovation is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity, and maintains a supportive working, learning, and social environment, in which the rights and dignity of all its staff are respected, and where everyone can be themselves and are empowered to reach their full potential. This commitment is linked to and reinforces the OUI values of integrity, collaboration, and empowerment. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.
OUI is accredited with the Investors in People Gold status.
Our Approach to Hybrid and Flexible Working: We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset, and we are committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent. We also appreciate that the UK workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and includes a high percentage of parents and individuals with caring responsibilities, as well as those whose interests and aspirations impact on their time. We recognise the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home lives by offering flexible working arrangements that enable them to balance their work commitments with other priorities. This includes hybrid working and flexible working.

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