Strategic Head of Hub for the ICURe Southern Belt (across London and southern England and South Wales)

Innovation is the lifeblood of the University of Southampton. Powered by world-class research, we enable spin-out companies across the country, enabling the development of products and services that benefit people, businesses and the wider economy. Join us as the Strategic Head of Hub for the ICURe Southern Belt (across London and southern England and South Wales)

Your role

You’ll be joining a university that is highly ranked in the UK for consultancy income generated and that has started 80 spinout and start-up companies since 2000. Your work could touch pioneering developments in cancer immunology, respiratory medicine, next generation diagnostics, clean energy and sustainability, marine, photonics and electronics and computer science.

You will:

• work closely with Innovate UK senior leadership to align planned activity with the strategic research, innovation, and skills priorities of Innovate UK and UKRI.
• work alongside IUK senior leadership, delivery partners and key stakeholders build relationships across UKRI, accelerators, investors, incubators and the wider university spin out ecosystem across London, southern England and southern Wales.
• build long-term partnerships with key regional and national funding organisations to maximise opportunities for external funding, long-term financial sustainability, and delivery of commercial outcomes.
• Lead strategic level projects from initial creation to impact outcomes at the end.
• Work with early stage deep-tech and life science university spinouts, supporting them to establish and grow, and help them as they secure funding, build their teams and enter the market.
• Work at a national level on the Innovation-to-Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme and lead on building a national ICURe alumni engagement strategy.

About You

This role is a senior, strategic level role where you will bring networks across the whole of our region, and have excellent contacts with partners such as UKRI, PSREs and nationally focused accelerators. Regional government economic development contacts would also be valuable You should have substantial experience of working with investment and with spin out companies.

You should be self-starting and able to develop relationships swiftly

You should have the ability to work successfully from home but also be willing to travel regularly within the southern region and London, as well as occasional national travel.

If you have a relevant degree or professional qualification and a keen interest in the InnovateUK ICURe programme then we’d like to hear from you.

In return, you can look forward to an excellent benefits package and a flexible home/office hybrid model supporting real work/life balance.

Our vision and mission at the University of Southampton is to have a community where staff and students feel welcome, supported and valued. This environment fosters a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity, encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds, with the belief that excellence will be achieved through recognising the value of every individual.

Please apply by uploading your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Rosy Jones, email: rosy.jones@setsquared.co.uk