Partnerships and Licensing Manager in Abingdon

At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world’s most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you’re looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on. Wild Bio is a well‑funded, fast‑paced Oxford University spin‑out working from state‑of‑the‑art labs and offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are about to enter an exciting phase of growth and are looking for a driven, and curious Partnerships and Licensing Manager to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in.

Our values

• Curiosity: We fuel our desire to explore the unknown, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and sparking innovation. We ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning.
• Community: We believe in the strength and support gained through collaboration and inclusion. As part of a global community, we nurture connections to drive meaningful impact for both people and planet.
• Courage: We face challenges head‑on, take calculated risks, and stand up for our beliefs. Our bravery propels us to take action, even in the face of adversity.

If these values resonate with you, we invite you to join our team of passionate scientists and innovators working at the cutting edge of bioscience.

The role

We’re seeking a Partnerships and Licensing Manager to own Wild Bioscience’s external engagement with collaboration partners. You’ll help shape and secure research and commercial partnerships, leading negotiations with start‑ups, trait developers and seed companies. You’ll also oversee ongoing partnership management, ensuring strong delivery and that all parties maximise value over time.

Detailed responsibilities

• Plan, lead and coordinate due diligence and agreement negotiation actions to establish R&D and commercial licenses, collaborations/alliances, and technology transfer transactions with public and private organisations.
• Lead and manage contract negotiation and agreement‑management workstreams relating to technology and/or intellectual property, working closely with R&D colleagues.
• Partner with the management team to secure the required financial and legal guidance and approvals for agreements and associated projects.
• Draft, negotiate and refine agreements, translating commercial intent into clear, workable terms that enable successful partnerships, collaborations and licences.
• Identify and resolve key issues, taking opportunities from term sheet through to fully executed contracts.
• Oversee agreement delivery from launch to completion, supporting project teams to operate in line with contractual obligations and maximise value from each partnership.
• Maintain an accurate, up‑to‑date database tracking prospective and ongoing partnerships.
• Represent Wild Bioscience at relevant industry forums and conferences.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on engaging external partners and running effective collaborations.

Knowledge and skills Required

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences (or a related discipline) or equivalent relevant experience.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of plant biology/physiology, plant molecular biology, bioinformatics, genetics, biochemistry or plant breeding.
• Confidence and ability to work through and resolve challenging issues in a timely and professional manner, with internal and external stakeholders, to reach a successful outcome.
• Experience in successfully managing multiple projects and deadlines within a complex organisation, with strict attention to detail, prioritisation and efficiency.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and technical writing skills.
• Proven ability to build solid relationships, earn the confidence of internal stakeholders and demonstrate the ability to get results in a timely manner with attention to timelines and deadlines.
• Must be reliable, self‑motivated, persistent and have the ability to work effectively both alone and collaboratively in small and large teams.
• A curious and courageous mindset – someone who enjoys trying new things and taking initiative in a fast‑paced environment.
• A desire to develop your skills, share your knowledge, and support the growth of your teammates.
• Take initiative where needed with tasks that have not been assigned.
• Collaborate effectively in a multi‑disciplinary environment, building relationships, and gaining trust through honesty, compassion, and authenticity.

Preferred

• Master's (or higher) degree in a biological or chemical science discipline, or a Master of Business Administration or law degree.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working in corporate business development, collaboration or licensing function.
• Exposure to or experience with (i) agreement negotiations, (ii) intellectual property rights, (iii) patent process and/or (iv) contracting and technology licensing norms and issues; preferably in agriculture or the life sciences.
• Understanding of intellectual property management, chemistry/biology/biochemistry research, and regulatory activities in agriculture or related areas.

Location

We’re headquartered in Milton Park, a business and technology park in Oxfordshire. While we do offer flexible and hybrid working, we are also a small, fast‑paced team working on cutting‑edge science, and we believe the relationships forged and the work we do in‑person will be crucial for our success. For this reason, we are asking that applicants be able to work on‑site at least three days a week as well as be available for regular travel to external events and conferences. The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.