Business Development Specialist: Department of Research and Innovation at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will be involved in fostering strategic partnerships, promoting research collaboration, and advancing the commercialisation of innovative outputs.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Identifying, developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with industry, government, research institutions, and funding agencies; 
• Facilitating the negotiation and management of research collaboration and commercialisation agreements;
• Driving business intelligence gathering to identify emerging trends and opportunities in research and innovation;
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including researchers, funders, investors, and policy stakeholders;
• Facilitating cross-sector collaborations aimed at enhancing research translation and societal impact;
• Developing and implement frameworks to monitor and evaluate innovation, commercialisation, and partnership activities;
• Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare regular progress reports for internal and external reporting;
• Supporting researchers in identifying commercial opportunities and potential partners for funded research projects;
• Aligning research and innovation activities with institutional strategy, national policy, and funding priorities;
• Providing analytical and advisory support to the Head: Innovation and Contracts Management;
• Coordinating institutional innovation programmes, workshops, and stakeholder dialogues.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Science or Engineering or Commerce;
• Five years of relevant experience in business development, research management, Innovation support or stakeholder engagement within a university research institution or corporate environment.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Knowledge of the following:

• Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research & Development Act (Act No. 51 of 2008);
• IP Management;
• RSA National System of Innovation; 
• Intellectual Property Rights;
• Financial Management;
• Programme Management;
• Market analysis;
• Experience in report writing;
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills;
• Excellent networking, negotiation and stakeholder management skills;
• High level of professionalism, initiative and organisational ability;
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment;
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA); 
• Industry Experience;
• Developmental Finance Institution (DFI) Experience;
• Innovation Program Management;
• A postgraduate qualification in Innovation Management, Business Administration, or Technology Commercialisation; 
• Experience in managing contracts, partnerships, and commercialisation projects; 
• Knowledge of the South African research and innovation landscape, including policies, funding mechanisms, and IP frameworks.

CLOSING DATE:  15 January 2026