Senior Investment and Licensing Manager

The University of Manchester - Professional Services - University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Location:ManchesterSalary:£72,626 per annumHours:Full TimeContract Type:Permanent

Job reference: PSX-030721

Salary: £72,626 per annum

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Professional Services

Location: Grafton Street

Employment type: Permanent

Division/Team: University of Manchester Innovation Factory

Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)

Closing date: 06/02/2026

The Investment & Licensing Team is at the forefront of commercialising the University’s world-class technologies and associated intellectual property. We work in close partnership with academics, commercial experts, industry partners and investors to both launch new spinout companies and to license University technologies to established companies.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and entrepreneurial candidate to launch new spinout companies and close high-value licensing transactions. If you thrive on building new ventures, closing complex deals, and mentoring others, we want to hear from you.

Role Summary

• Lead the launch of spinout companies from The University of Manchester, ensuring robust governance frameworks are established through standardised legal agreements and processes.
• Work closely with academic founders to develop business plans and execute fundraising strategies, supporting investor readiness and due diligence.
• Lead on licensing technologies to industry partners, managing the full business development lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain a strong professional network with investors, corporate partners, and stakeholders, representing Innovation Factory at industry events and showcases.
• Mentor and support other team members and colleagues, facilitating their professional development and contributing to a high-performing team.

Key objectives and responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of commercial opportunities, prioritising tasks, tracking progress, and reporting outcomes.
• Develop and execute strategies to create impact (social, environmental and economic) from university technologies through the creation of new spinouts and through licensing.
• Provide strategic leadership and commercial expertise for opportunities moving through Innovation Factory’s pipeline.
• Ensure consistency and transparency across all deals, implementing standardised workflows and maintaining rigorous compliance and governance standards.

Skills, Experience & Qualities: Essential

• Demonstrated experience in commercial deal-making, including proven ability to deliver high-value, complex licensing and investment deals.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to provide leadership to academic founders and to develop and present commercially compelling business cases.
• Collaborative team player, able to work across multi-disciplinary teams and with diverse stakeholders.
• Diplomatic and results-focused, with the credibility to engage senior academics, investors, and industry partners.
• Strong financial modelling and analytical skills, plus excellent business acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in the use of CRM systems for managing deals, contacts, and networks.

Qualifications: Essential

• Strong technical background (minimum BSc in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline)

Skills, Experience and Qualities: Desirable

• Experience within a Technology Transfer Office or similar environment.
• A track record of incorporating and building new startup or spinout companies.
• Familiarity with governance frameworks, compliance processes, and best practices in deal execution.

What you will get in return

• Market-leading pension scheme.
• 32 days annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays and end-of-year office closure, rising with length of service.
• Private health care and dental care.
• Great working environment within the University of Manchester campus, with excellent transport links.

The Innovation Factory aims to have a truly global reach and, with the scale and quality of research taking place at The University of Manchester, it has the ambition to be one of the world’s leading Technology Transfer organisations, if you would like to be part of this inspirational organisation, please apply on our website which you can access here