Innovation Lead

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

Act as an initial point of escalation and referral from clinical personnel and support services colleagues on all operational issues relating to IP, innovation and commercialisation.

Engage directly with researchers across the Trust to identify and develop new IP-commercialisation opportunities.

Provide strategic leadership for intellectual property (IP) and commercialisation in line with the Trust strategy; set standards and develop long term plans in relation to the delivery of specialist work.

Apply expert knowledge in developing and delivering a high-quality service for IP and commercialisation, providing diverse and comprehensive support, responding to/ leading on complex areas across the Trust.

Develop and manage partnerships with both external and internal stakeholders; work collaboratively to deliver and enhance the service offered; and provide expert advice on relevant Trust policies and procedures;

Identify external income generation opportunities and develop relationships with external partners based upon the commercialisation of Trust intellectual property and know-how;

Provide expert input on IP and commercialisation to funding proposals, to increase collaborative R&D, contract research and consultancy income.

Pro-actively provide foresight of future funding calls and strategic opportunities.

Lead and develop strategic/service wide initiatives/projects to deliver operational excellence and ensure the Trust is at the forefront of commercialisation practice e.g.; Commission research and analysis as required, identify and assess the wider implications for the functional area and Trust.

Be responsible for resource and budget planning/monitoring of operational and wider strategic activities, to facilitate annual and longer term planning , e.g. development of business cases for initiatives.

Ensure technology and market validation takes place for commercial opportunities and prepare highly complex written, evidence-based recommendations of the commercial and impact opportunity

Motivate, lead and mentor staff where required; provide general guidance, coaching and support, developing their skills and knowledge in the area of IP and commercialisation.

As a member of the senior management team, develop Trust wide plans for the service area, to ensure delivery of wider Trust strategic objectives.

Lead and support Research and Innovation governance processes and act as committee secretary for relevant Trust Innovation Groups e.g. Innovation Executive, Innovation Advisory Group.

Advise Director of Innovation and Research & Innovation Manager on issues affecting your area of responsibility; produce and present papers/ provide highly complex and sensitive reports to relevant boards/committees to support operational and strategic decision making.

Develop and deliver bespoke IP -specific training to staff, students; promote awareness of the service; write guidance materials to ensure the service is understood and applied consistently across the Trust.

Manage the development and oversee the operation of administrative systems, record keeping within an agreed framework.

Maintain confidentiality and treat highly sensitive information with appropriate tact and diplomacy, and ensure compliance with data protection legislation across the service area/functional area.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Masters level or with equivalent post-graduate health-related research and innovation experience

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of intellectual property rights and of the value that can be assigned to IP
• Knowledge/experience in innovation process support, technology appraisal (functionality, USPs etc.), market opportunity assessment for novel products/services and at least basic aspects of intellectual property protection, management, and commercialisation
• Experience of leading operational activities in a specific area/functional unit and/or acting as a point of escalation
• Significant experience of developing high quality, customer focused services, contributing to their strategic direction
• Significant experience of working in partnership and building strong links with managers at all levels both within the organisation and with external partners, providing expert advice to inform decision making e.g. developing consortia for funding bids, managing on-going R&D relationships on behalf of the Trust
• Experience of writing, reviewing and disseminating policies including IP and related commercial activities
• Experience of working with colleagues to inform commercialisation sections of external funding proposals
• Significant experience of leading effectively in an environment of complex regulations and procedures (e.g. patents and intellectual property; confidentiality agreements and similar; funding guidance and contracts)
• Significant experience of providing expert advice and guidance to senior managers and internal/ external stakeholders to inform complex decision making
• Experience of carrying out a range of highly complex administration activities
• Experience of developing, organising, supporting and delivering events/ projects/training
• Experience of staff supervision/mentoring
• Management experience in the NHS, academic or commercial environment

Desirable

• Experience of commercialisation project management and practical use of intellectual property between parties, including undertaking due diligence and negotiating terms
• Experience and track record of processes for registering and protecting intellectual property including UK and international patent protection

Further Training

Essential

• Knowledge of innovation funding sources
• Proven highly effective organisational and planning skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software, especially Word, Excel and Power Point

Special Skills/Aptitudes

Essential

• Experience of committee servicing, including note taking and follow up actions
• Highly motivated
• Highly organised, with the ability to develop long term strategic plans
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrable attention to detail
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with highly effective persuasion and negotiation skills
• Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with staff at all levels
• Proactive in fulfilling needs of researchers

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

Glossop Rd

Sheffield

S10 2JF

Employer's website

https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)