Innovation Contracts and Licensing Manager

About Us

We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive.

Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.

About The Role

The Natural History Museum is accelerating the impact of our science to bend the curve of biodiversity loss and create a future where people and the planet can thrive. The heart of our Vision and Strategy to 2031 creates solutions from, and for, nature. We can generate more impactful solutions if we establish ways to turn our scientific knowledge into scaled products, services and data to produce real-world societal, environmental, and economic value. The recently formed Innovation Unit at NHM manages a pipeline of science-based opportunities, taking ideas from proof-of-concept to market ready products and services. The team’s purpose is to grow the portfolio of consultancy projects, research contracts, technical services and data licences by finding new and exciting ways to exploit our Intellectual Property (IP) assets and in-house capabilities, for example via product development, licensing or new venture creation.

The Innovation Contracts and Licensing Manager will be responsible for overseeing the general operations and successful delivery of the Innovation Unit’s portfolio of live consultancy, research contracts, and data license agreements, covering fields of bio and geosciences, scientific imaging and analysis, and molecular diagnostics. Our customers range from governments to global multinationals, and our projects from small-scale consultancy to long-term industry collaboration.

• Overseeing the general operations and successful delivery of the Innovation Unit’s portfolio of live consultancy, research contracts, and data license agreements.
• Leading on the composition and submission of engaging pitches/bids to potential clients.
• Creating fee and resource models.
• Negotiating contracts.
• Project coordination.
• Monitoring contract performance.

Ideal for a dynamic self-starter with a 'can do' attitude who thrives in a fast-paced environment, this role offers a rare opportunity with exceptional variety, autonomy and scope for professional development. Working at the interface between world-leading science and commercial innovation, you will gain hands-on experience across consultancy, contract negotiation, intellectual property, technology transfer and licensing, supporting the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Expect extensive on-the-job learning, complemented by formal training in commercialisation and technology transfer. A background in science is desirable, but a passion for harnessing scientific innovation to address society's most significant environmental and societal challenges is essential.

About You

You're a commercially minded problem-solver who loves bringing people, ideas and opportunities together. Whether your background is in science, business development, technology transfer, project management, commercial operations or financial administration, you're excited by the challenge of turning innovative ideas into tangible outcomes. You combine strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to build trusted relationships at every level. Comfortable working with contracts, budgets and complex commercial arrangements, you can navigate competing priorities, spot opportunities, and keep multiple projects moving forward with confidence. A natural collaborator and communicator, you're equally at ease working with scientists, clients, legal teams and senior stakeholders. You're known for your positive, proactive approach, your attention to detail, and your ability to find solutions where others see obstacles. Most importantly, you're curious, adaptable and motivated by continuous learning. You thrive in fast-moving environments, enjoy taking ownership, and want your work to contribute to something bigger. Experience of science commercialisation, business planning, proposal development or technology transfer would be a bonus, but above all we're looking for someone who's passionate about harnessing science and innovation to create meaningful environmental and societal impact.

Thriving at the Museum: the way we work

We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.

What We Offer

• 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent).
• Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%).
• Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan.
• Life insurance.
• Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
• Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes.
• We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
• Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
• Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi.
• Hybrid working.

We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first-hand, the visitors, scientific research, and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager. The requirement for this role is a minimum of 2/3 days onsite per week.