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- Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and partnerships to drive growth in a biotech company.
- Company: Join Modern Synthesis, a pioneering biotech firm transforming materials for fashion and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, private health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainable fashion while leading a dynamic team of innovators.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial roles with leadership experience and a passion for sustainability.
- Other info: Flexible work hours and a culture that values collaboration and diverse perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 ÂŁ per year.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER AT 12:00 BST
SALARY RANGE: ÂŁ80,000+ (DOE)
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Head of Growth to join our team on a 12-month fixed term contract to lead our commercial team through an exciting time for the business. Reporting to the Co-founder & CEO, you will drive the company’s commercial activity through partnerships, brand activity and leading on new market opportunities. The Head of Growth will help join the dots between our customer’s requirements and our technical capabilities, keeping a pulse on market trends and furthering our brand impact within the biomaterials and fashion worlds.
About us
Modern Synthesis is a biotech company bringing life to materials. Founded by ex-Adidas designer Jen Keane and synthetic biologist Dr. Ben Reeve, we work with bacteria to produce an entirely new class of nanocellulose-based materials, which deliver performance without plastics and aesthetics without animal inputs. Designed for applications within fashion and beyond, our biobased materials not only displace animal leathers or plastic-based materials, but also generate entirely new textile possibilities for designers. You can read more about our technology on our website.
We believe that big breakthroughs happen when disparate disciplines, perspectives and ideas collide. As a team of biologists, chemists, designers, engineers, business experts, and microbes, we benefit from these creative collisions on a daily basis. From our strong culture of debate (hot takes always welcome ️) to our bi-weekly deep dives, we intentionally embed collaboration and growth into everything we do.
We hire people, not roles, so we can be flexible on scope. We strongly encourage you to apply if you think you’re qualified for a portion of this role, and can demonstrate a proven ability to take on new skills and challenges.
Responsibilities
Business Development, Sales and Partnership Management
- Attract, develop and close long-term commercial deals
- Own the B2B customer journey, from early due diligence to contract signing, collaborating closely with our technical leads throughout the process
- Source and prioritise customer requirements to ensure that all outbound partner collateral reflects clear alignment between customer needs and our solutions
- Manage existing partnerships, working with our R&D team to ensure that development projects run to target timelines, scope, and budget
- Lead terms negotiation and liaise with legal counsel with support from senior leadership
- Close existing pipeline opportunities
- Represent the company with key customers, and at relevant industry events
Commercial Strategy
- Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to develop long-term innovation strategy
- Conduct market segmentation and analysis to support business planning and investment needs
- Build out and refine pricing strategy on an ongoing basis
- Develop and execute go-to-market strategy for new products and services
Brand Development
- Oversee key brand-building initiatives like brand identity refreshes and website builds
- Manage event participation at trade shows and industry events
- Design and manage strategic marketing activations in partnership with our brand partners
Management
- Manage our Partnerships Manager and Content Strategist, fostering their development and building team trust
- Support the growth of our wider team as required
- Manage the commercial budget
Required skills and experience
- 10+ years of experience in a commercial role, with a proven track record in a leadership role executing commercial strategy to drive business success
- Effective management and growth of high-performing commercial teams
- Experience working in a start-up or other fast-paced environment, with evidence of driving cross-functional collaboration in the midst of competing priorities
- Experience identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic partnerships, including reviewing legal contracts like NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements) and MTAs (Material Transfer Agreements)
- Proactive and comfortable navigating ambiguity / wearing multiple hats
- Knowledge of the fashion industry and sustainable materials
- An ability to quickly understand people (and what motivates them)
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with key internal and external shareholders and stakeholders
Desired skills and experience
The following skills and experience are not required for the role, but would be beneficial for a successful applicant:
- Experience using Monday.com or another similar CRM
- An understanding of biodesign, material trends and the circular economy
- Experience marketing or branding an early stage technical innovation
Benefits
- Company pension scheme
- Private health insurance, including vision, dental and stipends
- Enhanced parental leave policy
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Flexible working hours and up to two days per week working from home following our policies
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Headspace subscription
- Individual training budget for professional development, including access to LinkedIn Learning
Our values
Co-Culture – We Co-Culture Change
Growth – We Put Growth on a Pedestal
By Design – We Do It All By Design
Our hiring process
- Round 0. Apply online
- Round 1. 25 minute exploratory phone interview where we’ll dive into your work history and motivations for applying to Modern Synthesis
- Round 2. 1 hour skills interview where we’ll explore the skills and knowledge you’ll bring to this role. Successful candidates will be asked to prepare a case study for the final Round 3.
- Round 3. An on-site panel interview, where you’ll present your preparation for the case study and meet with key members of the team.
Modern Synthesis EDI statement
Innovation rarely happens in a vacuum. The greatest ideas stem from a variety of perspectives, and an environment that supports equal representation and opportunities for all. We are committed to driving global change. We only have one planet we all call home, and we need to work together to protect it. We believe in collaboration and a culture of debate. Disagreements are a chance to refocus our direction. We call this co-culture.
We welcome people of all races, genders, religions, ages, backgrounds, and abilities to our workplace and are committed to ensuring all our employees are safe, heard, represented and provided with every opportunity to thrive. We will act with integrity, purpose and respect in everything we do. We too are human. We will likely make mistakes and need to continue evolving our approach to ED&I as the world around us changes.
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Head of Growth (Maternity Cover) Modern Synthesis Bringing life to materials. employer: AgFunder
Contact Detail:
AgFunder Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth (Maternity Cover) Modern Synthesis Bringing life to materials.
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially how they align with your experience in growth and partnerships. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight specific examples of how you've driven growth and managed successful partnerships in the past. Numbers and results speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Modern Synthesis.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth (Maternity Cover) Modern Synthesis Bringing life to materials.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and passion for the role, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and insights!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills align with the Head of Growth position. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your experience in commercial strategy and team management.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and specific outcomes to illustrate how you’ve driven growth and success in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at AgFunder
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Modern Synthesis and their innovative materials. Understand their mission and how they fit into the fashion industry. This will help you connect your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Growth, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples from your past where you've successfully managed commercial strategies or driven cross-functional collaboration. Highlight how you’ve navigated challenges and achieved results.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
For the final round, you'll need to present a case study. Make sure to practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently. Focus on how your proposed strategies align with Modern Synthesis's vision and how they can drive growth in the biomaterials sector.
✨Embrace the Culture of Debate
Modern Synthesis values a culture of debate and collaboration. Be ready to discuss your thoughts openly and engage in discussions about market trends and innovations. Show that you can contribute to their creative collisions and are open to feedback.
