Commercial Director in Nottingham

Salary: To be negotiated, based on experience

Location: Nottingham, UK

About Nova Biochem

Nova Biochem is a climate-tech company pioneering the transformation of industrial by-products into high-value, sustainable chemicals. Using our proprietary hydrothermal depolymerisation process, we convert lignin-rich residues from pulping and agriculture into renewable aromatic building blocks used in coatings, plastics, and resins - replacing fossil inputs and cutting emissions at the source. Our mission is to unlock a circular, low-carbon model for industrial chemistry - creating new value from waste while reducing millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Based in Nottingham, we’re entering a scale‑up phase, expanding lab and pilot operations, delivering a €7.5M EU‑funded project, and laying the groundwork for commercialisation. This is a pivotal moment to join a small, mission‑driven team determined to reshape the chemical industry through practical innovation.

The Role

We are hiring our first senior commercial leader, a Commercial Director who will lead Nova Biochem’s commercial strategy and execution as we transition from technology validation to early commercial scale. Working in close partnership with the CEO and technical leadership, you will take end‑to‑end responsibility for building customer relationships, structuring strategic partnerships, and converting market interest into repeatable, revenue‑generating pathways. You will play a central role in defining how Nova brings its products to market and how commercial insight shapes technical and strategic priorities. Initially, you will focus on Nova’s functionalised “heavy oil” blend, a novel, lignin‑derived aromatic oligomer mix, and its applications across coatings, adhesives, polymers, and lubricants. Your objective is to translate early engagement into long‑term commercial partnerships and credible offtake potential. This is a senior, hands‑on role for someone comfortable operating with significant autonomy, setting commercial direction, and building the foundations of a scalable commercial function in a growing climate‑tech company.

Key Responsibilities

• Market Development

• Identify, approach, and build relationships with potential customers and joint development partners across target industries.
• Position Nova’s products as credible, differentiated, and sustainable alternatives within industrial applications such as adhesives, coatings, and polymers.
• Negotiate and structure early‑access, pilot, or paid trial agreements that generate customer validation ahead of scale‑up.
• Build and manage a commercial pipeline, maintaining active engagement with prospective partners and customers.
• Define and evolve Nova’s commercial roadmap in collaboration with the CEO, including customer segmentation, value propositions, and go‑to‑market approach.
• Lead pricing strategy, commercial structuring, and contribution to financial models and business cases.
• Translate market feedback into clear commercial requirements that inform product development, technical focus, and scale‑up decisions.
• Provide commercial input into fundraising narratives, partner discussions, and Series A planning.

• External Engagement

• Represent Nova at industry events, trade shows, and partner meetings, communicating our mission and technology with clarity.
• Work with the technical team to ensure accurate and compelling presentation of data and product performance.
• Lay the foundations for Nova’s future commercial organisation, including processes, tools, and team build as the company scales.

Who You Are

You are a senior commercial leader who understands how innovation becomes adoption. You bring experience selling chemicals, materials, or industrial technologies and can engage credibly with both technical and commercial stakeholders. You build trust through curiosity, collaboration, and follow‑through. You’re motivated by helping customers imagine new applications for emerging technologies - and by turning that interest into results. You’re independent yet collaborative, comfortable navigating uncertainty, and energized by the chance to shape how a new technology enters the market.

Proven experience in business development, partnerships, or technical sales within the chemicals, materials, or industrial manufacturing sectors. Strong track record of selling technical or specialty materials to industrial customers. Excellent relationship‑building and negotiation skills, with experience structuring pilot or joint development agreements. Commercially analytical, with experience contributing to pricing, cost modelling, and business cases. Clear and confident communicator, comfortable engaging at technical and executive levels. Self‑starter comfortable in a fast‑moving, start‑up environment. Background in climate‑tech, bio‑based innovation, or sustainable materials. Understanding of industrial value chains and B2B commercialisation for chemicals or advanced materials. Degree in business, chemistry, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with CRM tools and pipeline management.

Why Join Us?

At Nova Biochem, you’ll have the rare opportunity to help build the commercial foundations of a company redefining sustainable chemistry. You’ll work at the intersection of innovation and impact - where science meets the market - and see your efforts directly shape how our technology scales. You’ll join a small, ambitious, purpose‑driven team where ownership, transparency, and curiosity are valued. As we grow, so will you - this role offers genuine scope to develop into a senior commercial leadership position. If you’re motivated by purpose and excited to turn scientific breakthroughs into real‑world impact, we’d love to hear from you.