Senior / Innovation Manager - UK DRI Research Operations

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute with a community of c. 1000 researchers investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, driving a step change in our understanding of neurodegeneration, and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of interventions that will help diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent dementia.

Join us as Senior / Innovation Manager, based in London, and take the lead in transforming ground‑breaking neurodegeneration research into tangible solutions that change lives.

What you'll bring

• Drive commercialisation: Work with world‑leading dementia researchers to commercialise new technologies in diagnosis, treatment, and care, including licensing deals, spin‑out formation, and strategic partnerships with not for profit and industry.
• Strategic partnerships: Work with key UK DRI stakeholders to create, manage and deploy multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Portfolio management: Work with the innovation team and manage the portfolio of innovation projects, from initial discussion to successful translational outcomes. Maintain accurate records of the portfolio using a diverse range of portfolio management tools and participate in reporting activities.
• Due diligence & project evaluation: Conduct IP and market evaluation on disclosures, working closely with Host Universities' Technology Transfer Offices.
• Contract negotiation: Lead negotiations for licensing, spin‑out formation, partnerships and other collaboration contracts, working with the UK DRI Contracts Manager and external legal counsel.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships across the UK DRI centres, host university technology transfer and technology research offices, and key stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Legal & compliance: Ensure compliance with institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks, specially for IP and commercialisation. Ensure that agreements are in place to support opportunity development.
• External representation: Represent the UK DRI at external meetings, networking events, and conferences, deputising as required.
• Business development: Promote the UK DRI portfolio in partnering events, prepare and participate in showcases and connect potential investors and partners with UK DRI research.
• Strategic review: Conduct regular reviews of translation and commercialisation activities, identifying key advancements, stakeholders and opportunities in the dementia and neurodegeneration field.
• Funding support: Identify funding opportunities and assist in preparing applications for translational funding where appropriate.

What you'll need

• Proven experience: A strong background in technology transfer, life sciences commercialisation, investment, or business development, ideally within neurodegeneration or brain health.
• Commercial acumen: The ability to evaluate complex research, spot commercial potential, and navigate intellectual property, licensing, and spin‑out processes.
• Stakeholder savvy: Exceptional relationship‑building skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences—from scientists to investors.
• Project leadership: A track record of managing multiple projects simultaneously, balancing scientific rigour with business pragmatism.
• Communication excellence: Clear, compelling written and verbal skills, with the confidence to represent the UK DRI at all levels.
• Adaptability: Willingness to travel occasionally to UK DRI centres and partner sites across the UK.

What we offer

• Work‑Life Balance: Generous holiday allowance: 27 days of annual leave (plus UK Bank Holidays) to recharge and explore. Flexible holiday scheme: Buy or sell up to 5 days of annual leave to suit your lifestyle. Business closure days: Enjoy up to 6 additional days off each year.
• Health & Wellbeing: Private medical cover: Single medical insurance to support your health and peace of mind. Group Life Assurance: Protection for your loved ones with coverage up to 4x your base salary. Income Protection & Critical Illness Cover: Financial security when you need it most. Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential support for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Family‑Friendly Support: Enhanced maternity, paternity, neonatal and adoption pay: Because family matters.
• Financial Perks: Season Ticket Loan: Save on your commute with an interest‑free loan. Generous pension scheme: Contribute 6.1% as an employee, with an employer contribution of 15.9% helping you build a secure future.
• Plus: Voluntary benefits programme: Access a wide range of discounts and perks tailored to your lifestyle. Hybrid working: We embrace a hybrid working model, with the majority of your time spent in our collaborative modern office environment in London. We offer the flexibility to work remotely for up to 1‑2 days per week.

About the UK DRI: Today, over 1M people in the UK are living with dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease (MND). The impact of these incurable and progressive conditions on individuals and their families is devastating. Societal costs are staggering and growing as the population ages. Due to major advances in our understanding of the biology of these disorders, the field is at an inflection point with the next decade promising to deliver transformative breakthroughs in therapies and a new era of predictive, preventative and precision medicine. The UK is well placed to play a leading role in this revolution due to its strengths in science required for discovery and delivery, led by the UK DRI working with our world‑class university‑based centres.

To apply: Please submit your CV and covering letter detailing why you wish to join the UK DRI, your salary, availability, and your experience for this role. Please also add a deal sheet should you have this. No agencies please. We are unable to provide sponsorship. By applying to this role, you understand and agree that your information will be shared within the UK DRI People & Culture team and/or any team members who will be part of the hiring process. UK DRI is committed to equal opportunities. The UK DRI embraces diversity, inclusion and accessibility for all of our people. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. This means ensuring our recruitment processes are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible to everyone. We will make adjustments for people who have a disability or long‑term condition.